1. The history of the Olympics

2. Ancient History
Most information from the beginning of the Olympics is based on legend
Legend states the original founder was Heracles (Roman version of Hurcules)
First records of Olympic games date back to 776 B.C. and included one event – the Stade

3. The Stade Running event – approximately 192 meters, or 210 yards
Event was won by a mane named Coroebus, making him the first ever Olympic champion

4. History continues…
Olympic games grew and were played every four years for nearly 1200 years
In AD 393, the Roman emperor banned the games because of “pagan influences”
They would not be revived again for about 1500 years
All free men could compete, regardless of social status; single women could attend but not participate; married women couldn’t even watch!!

5. Events
Ancient games were a 1 day event until 684 BC, when they were extended to 3 days
Events included running, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing, and equestrian events

6. The revival
Frenchman named Pierre de Coubertin evaluated the French soldiers during the Franco-Prussian War and decided the reason they lost the war was not because of military skills but due to “the French soldiers lack of vigor.”
He examined education of German, British and American children and decided that exercise and sports made a “well- rounded and vigorous” person.
In 1890 he organized the USFSA, a sports organization to try to revive the games.

7. Persistence pays off… His initial efforts were rejected immediately
Over the next two years he organized 79 delegates from nine different countries and tried again.
This time they voted unanimously to reinstate the games and the delegates formed the IOC – International Olympic Committee – still an active organization today
The IOC elected Demetrious Vikelas from Greece to be its first president and the first games were set to take place in Athens Greece.

8. The Olympic symbols

9. Represent 3 core values of the spirit of the games
Three main symbols
Represent 3 core values of the spirit of the games
Rings - respect
Flame - friendship
Motto - excellence

10. The Rings
Created as a flag, by Pierre de Coubertin after the Games in Stockholm, Sweden to encourage unity
5 rings interlaced represent the 5 continents that had participants in those games
Six colors of the flag (blue, yellow, black, green, red, and white) represent all nations’ flags

11. The flame Began in 1936 as a lead-up to the Berlin Games
The Flame – Lit in Olympia, Greece months before the games open, in memory of the Games’ ancient origins.
Can only be lit by the sun’s rays.
The Torch – new design created for each edition of the Games, used to pass the flame from one runner to another. (The flame is passed, not the torch)
The Route – Starts in Olympia, crosses different regions, countries, and continents on its way to the host city, announcing the games to those who it passes by

12. The Motto Motto = sums up life philosophy or code of conduct to follow
Olympic motto – CITIUS – ALTIUS – FORTIUS
Latin for Faster – Higher – Stronger
Proposed by de Coubertin, borrowed from Henri Didon, a priest who taught in Paris
Became the motto in 1894, soon after the IOC creation

13. What are your core values??
Your assignment: Create a motto and symbol that represent your core values 1. Think about and identify three core values that best represent you 2. Choose one of the values to create a personal motto Can be in any language – Latin, Spanish, etc. 3. Use the other two values to create a symbol that represents you 4. Explain your motto and symbol in a short “essay” Intro paragraph – introduce the values you chose 2nd paragraph – explain the motto (translation, what it means to you, why you used the language you did, etc.) 3rd paragraph – explain the symbol (what it means, color choice, etc.)