МКОУ СОШ №14 9 а класс Енгибарян Лада Учитель: Беловолова Татьяна Васильевна

The original Olympic Games began in ancient Greece in 776 B.C. These games were part of a festival held every fourth year in honour of God Zeus at the place called Olympia. It was a great athletic festival, including competitions in wrestling, foot racing and chariot racing, rowing and others. The games were for men only. Greek women were forbidden not only to participate but also to watch the Olympics. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in Then they were resumed in London after the Second World War. Since then the Olympics are held every fourth year in different countries. The ancient Greeks had no winter sports. Only in 1924 the first Winter Olympic Games were held in France. Now they are being held regularly. 1

The Olympic emblem is five interlinked rings: blue, yellow, black, green and red. Any national flag contains at least one of these colours. 2

The official symbol of major sports events in London in 2012 are Wenlock - mascot of the Olympic Games. Appearance reflects his Wenlock Olympian character - light on his head symbolizes the lights of London's famous black cabs, head shape follows the shape of the roof of Olympic Stadium and the eye - nothing like a camera lens, fixing everything around. Three tabs on top - these are the places of the podium, where athletes receive medals and bracelets on the wrists of the five colors of the Olympic rings symbolize the bonds of friendship. 3

-Began in 776 BC; -Stopped in 394 BC (Emperor Theodosius I banned the Olympic Games as a pagan cult); -Were renewed in 1896, in Athens, on the initiative of Pierre de Coubertin; -Games start with the fact that traveled throughout Greece heralds booming voice announcing the start of ekeherii - the sacred truce. Now on to the games (about 5 days) all over the country had to immediately cease all hostilities. Such games have an important role in the political life of the country - was stopped by the war. Unfortunately, in the 20th century turned out differently - because of the two world wars interrupted the Games themselves. 4

Ancient Greek athletes competed naked. From the word "naked" ("gimnos") comes the word "gymnastics". The nude body was not considered something shameful - on the contrary, it shows how hard training athlete. I was ashamed to be unsportsmanlike, untrained body 5

Home Games "On the first day of the Olympic Games sacrifices to the gods, and the athletes took an oath in front of the statue of Zeus. Together with the resumption of the Games returned to the oath. Today, it sounds like this: "I swear, coming to the Olympics, I will compete fairly and in accordance with the rules, and by participating glorify their country and sport. 6

The diameter of a coin is about 85 mm and 7 mm in thickness. Weight awards will be about grams. This is the largest coin in the history of the Games, reports Sky Sports. Total for the Olympics will be released about 2,100 medals. On the rewards of various denominations is the Games logo with rays. On the reverse side of the coin is the goddess of victory Nike and the River Thames. The author of the project was the designer David Watkins. 7

The opening ceremony took place on July 27 at a new, specially built for the games, 80000th Olympic Stadium, and was known as "The Island of Miracles" (Eng. The Isles of Wonder). Directed by Oscar ceremony is Danny Boyle. Games opened Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. 20-minute section of Mike Oldfield played an instrumental composition Tubular Bells. At the end of the opening made ​​ by Paul McCartney with songs «The End» and «Hey Jude». 8

July 8, 2005, two days after the selection of London to host the Olympic Games, the IOC decided to exclude baseball and softball from the program of the Games. Instead, they proposed to include golf, karate, rugby-7, roller sports and squash, but they did not get enough votes. Compared to the previous games have been some changes in the program. August 13, 2009, the Executive Committee of the IOC for the first time allowed women to participate in boxing. They competed in three weight categories (under 51, 60 and 75 kg) and 12 female athletes, while one men's weight category was excluded. In tennis, the first time since 1924, held competitions among mixed couples. In the sailing competitions in the Tornado class were excluded, the Yngling class replaced by Elliott. In cycling, first introduced Omnium men and women, team pursuit, team sprint and keirin in women, but were canceled individual pursuit, points race and Madison. Also, minor changes have taken place in Handball: the tournament was canceled for 5-8 places among the teams that lost in the quarterfinals. The modern pentathlon has changed the format of the competition: running and shooting combined in one competition. 9

The closing ceremony of the Olympic Games, which was called the "Symphony of British Music" (English A Symphony of British Music), was held on August 12 at the Olympic Stadium. By tradition, the ceremony was handed the Olympic flag to the mayor of the capital next summer Olympic Games. At the ceremony were: One Direction, Pet Shop Boys, Kaiser Chiefs, George Michael, Annie Lennox, Nick Mason and Mike Rutherford, Jessie J, Russell Brand, Fatboy Slim, Spice Girls, Beady Eye, Eric Idle, Muse, Queen, Take That, The Who and others 10