Undiscovered Pathways

As we approach the Summer Olympics in Paris in less than a month, it reminds me of a trip that I took with my daughter to Italy and Greece. One of our stops was at the ancient site in Olympia, Greece when the Olympics were budding games in Greece and would one day would be a massive event both in the summer and winter. How did the games evolve from Olympia to Worldwide?

Ancient Olympics: Olympia, Greece

As you walk through the entrance, the area is wide open and the sun bares down on you. At this point, you have to envision the games as the tourist paints the picture for you.

The Olympics were held in Olympia, Greece from 776 BC through 393 AD. In 776 BC, there was only one event that was called a stadion race or foot race. The race was 600 feet and took place by male contestants running in the nude!! The length of the race was the length of a stadium. What an eye opener although that was surely more acceptable at that time.

There was only one event to cheer for until 724 BC and the games were played every 4 years like it is in present time. Only males, boys, and unmarried women were allowed to watch the games. If a married woman was discovered, they would be thrown off the side of a mountain as a punishment! That is a serious infraction!!

There were no medals awarded at the games like there are today. The winners were given a wreath for the top of their heads and recieved a hero welcome when they returned home.

The ancient Olympic games evolved from having one race to 23 races. They are listed below:

• Men’s track and field (8)
• Boy’s tack and field (5)
• Equestrian Events (8)
• Specialty Events (2)

Evolution of the Olympics Games

In 393 AD, the games stopped being held as Greece lost its independence. After a 1,500 year drought, a committee in France proposed resurrecting a modern Olympic Games. It was decided that the event would be held every 4 years as before and limited to amateur athletes. It was unanimously agreed upon that it would return to Athens, Greece in 1896. The Panathenaic stadium was renovated by 600 workers and housed 80,000 spectators on opening day.

1896 Olympic Games Events

• Track and Field
  • 100 and 400 meter races
  • High jump
  • Triple jump ( hop-skip-jump)
  • Pole Vault
  • Discus Throw
  • Shot Put
• Gymnastics Sports
  • Individual Exhibitions
  • Exhibitions on rings and parallel bars
  • Horse Leaping
  • Team Work
• Fencing
• Wrestling
• Shooting with Army Rifles, Carbines, and Pistols
• Aquatics
  • Sailing Events
  • Rowing Events
  • Swimming races at 100, 500, 1,000 meters
• Bicycle Races
• Lawn Tennis
• Weightlifting

Olympic Oath

The Olympic Oath was introduced in 1920 in Antwerp. It is stated by an athlete in the host country on behalf of all the athletes. Through the years, it was stated by athletes, coaches, judges, and officials.

“We promise to take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules and in the spirit of fair play, inclusion and equality. Together we stand in solidarity and commit to ourselves to sport without doping, without cheating, without any form of discrimination. We do this for the honor of our teams, in respect for the Fundamental Principles of Olympic, and to make the world a better place through sport.”

What a great oath to take and never had noticed it in the opening ceremonies!!!

Olympic Flame

The first Olympic flame was introduced at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam. The flame is ignited in a temple to honor Hera, Zeus’s wife, every two years. The flame represents a manifestation of the positive values that man has always associated with fire and links the ancient games with the modern games. I often have wondered why the flame travels before the Olympic Games. Through the relay, the flame announces the Olympic Games and spreads a message of peace and friendship between people. I always like seeing the last runner come into the stadium and lighting the cauldron to begin the games!!

Olympic Rings

The Olympic rings are very familiar whether you watch the games or not. In 1908, the rings were introduced with 5 different colors for the 5 continents that were participating in the games and following the Olympic ideals. They are Africas, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania and there is no particular color for a specific continent.

Olympic Games Winter Games

The first winter games were held in 1924 in Chamonix, France. It was originally supposed to be held in 1916, however, they didn’t take place due to World War I. Starting with the Lillehammer games in 1994, the winter and summer games would alternate every other year to accommodate the TV networks and audiences. Money always talks!

Summer Olympics Paris 2024

Some fun facts about the upcoming summer Olympics:

• The opening ceremonies will not be held in a stadium. They will be held along the Seine River which crosses into the center of Paris.
• 32 sports with 329 medals will be given out.
• The sport of aquatics will have 49 events.
• 45,000 volunteers
• 35 venues
• Beach volleyball will be played in front of the Eiffel Tower.
• Surfing will take place in Tahiti.
• Tickets: 10 million tickets for the Olympics and 3.4 million for the Paralympics are to be sold.

From the Ancient Games to Modern Games

There is much that has changed from the ancient to the modern Olympics Games however, one thing remains true. The Olympic ideals have remained true-the spirit of fair play, inclusion, and equality is at the center of the games. If you are lucky enough to go to the Olympics, enjoy the experience!! For the rest of us, we will be glued watching our tv’s !! So, let the games begin!!

Sources:

• www. BBC.co.uk
• http://www.pennmuseum.com
• www. neh.gov
• http://www.olympics.com