The Olympic Games

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The Olympic Games

• Chapter 4
• Ancient Greece
• World History

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The Ancient Olympics

• Began in 776 BC at Olympia, Greece
• Originally a religious ceremony in honor of the
  Greek gods.
• 100 oxen were sacrificed at the beginning of the
  Games
• Olympic Truce All wars and battles were halted
  so that everyone could come and watch the Games.
• Based on 4-year periods called Olympiads

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Original Running TrackOlympia, Greece
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The Olympic Athlete

• Only men could participate
• Men had to play in the nude or with very little
  clothing (gymnos)
• Running was the only event at the very first games

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Rules

• In wrestling
• No biting,
• No eye gouging,
• Breaking an opponents limbs was illegal,
• In boxing
• Both men participated until one gave up or died

• In Greece, there was no Second Place
• If youre not first , your last
• Only winners were honored, the losers were
  ignored
• Winners were given a laurel wreath for their head

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The end of the Ancient Games

• Ended in 394 AD by the Roman Emperor Theodosius,
  who was a Christian
• Considered them pagan games

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The Modern Games

• Revived in 1896 and first hosted in Athens,
  Greece
• No women allowed to take part
• Medals replaced the laurel wreaths

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Berlin, 1936

• Hosted by the Nazis
• Germans believe they were the best athletes in
  the world
• Jessie Owens, a Black American runner, won four
  medals and shattered that myth

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Munich, 1972

• Terrorists took several Israeli athletes hostage
• They were killed as they were being rescued

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Atlanta, 1996

• Centennial of the Games
• Many thought it would go to Athens, Greece
• 10,000 athletes took part
• Bomb exploded in Centennial Park

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The Olympics Come HomeAthens 2004

• Over 10,000 athletes to take part
• Pumped over 1billion into the Greek economy

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Olympics Medals awarded in Athens
Silver Gold Bronze
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Olympics Assignment

• Create a new games, which will include 6 of the
  original events (footrace, boxing, wrestling,
  javelin, discus, chariot race) and 6 new ones.
  List those out on your poster.
• Draw/Design your Olympic stadium/village
• (this is where the events will be held).
• Choose a place on the globe where you will hold
  these games (city, country, etc..)
• Group will be able to explain why they chose
  their 6 new events and describe what your group
  would change about the original 6 events.