Some people know about the Olympics while some very few, surprisingly, don't know about it. Overall though, the Olympics doesn't seem to garner as much interest as it should when compared to other sporting events like the FIFA World Cup. Today, I'll be sharing with us some interesting facts about the Olympics with the hope of endearing our hearts to the games as we would our babe(s). Without much ado, let's dig in!
The Five Ring Symbol and Brief History of the Olympics
The Olympic games started the wooded valley of Olympia in Greece in 776 BC. It has been argued that the games held in 776 BC were not the first, but rather the first games held after the Olympics was organized into a festival held every four years.
Why Every Four Years?
Very Simple. Scholars learnt that the planet Venus traced a perfect pentacle across the ecliptic sky every four years and as a tribute to this magic of Venus, the Greeks used her four year cycle to organize the Olympics.
The Five Ring Symbol
The PENTACLE traced by Venus (a five -pointed star) nearly became the official symbol of the Olympics but was belatedly modified to five intersecting rings to better reflect the games' spirit of inclusion and harmony.
The Winners Medal and Importance of The Olympics
Initially, winners at the early Olympics were crowned with a victor's wreath to signify honor. The wreath was made from a sacred Olive tree reportedly planted by Hercules behind the temple of Zeus. Today though, the wreaths have been replaced by medals of gold, silver and bronze while still serving the same purpose.
Importance
To the ancient Greeks, the ultimate goal was to be the best. All aspects of life especially athletics was centered around this concept such that it's considered an honor to be victorious at the Olympics as indicated by the prize given to Olympic victors back then - Olive wreaths. The Olympics also serves to promote harmony and friendship among nations of the world.
The First Contested Event
The first event contested at the Olympics was the stadion - a sprint of about 190 meters. It was also the only event contested at the 776 BC Olympics.
The Modern Olympics
The Olympics was banned in 394 AD but was revived and made international in 1896. The winter games were added in 1924. The Olympics were forcibly cancelled in 1916, 1940 and 1944 due to World Wars I & II and was resumed in 1948.
The IOC
The body governing the modern Olympics is known as the international Olympic committee and was founded in 1894 in Paris, France with its headquarters at Lausanne, Switzerland.
Consistent Events
Only five events have been contested at every summer Olympics since 1896. They are: athletics, cycling, fencing, gymnastics and swimming.
The First Contested Event
The first event contested at the Olympics was the stadion - a sprint of about 190 meters. It was also the only event contested at the 776 BC Olympics.
The Modern Olympics
The Olympics was banned in 394 AD but was revived and made international in 1896. The winter games were added in 1924. The Olympics were forcibly cancelled in 1916, 1940 and 1944 due to World Wars I & II and was resumed in 1948.
The IOC
The body governing the modern Olympics is known as the international Olympic committee and was founded in 1894 in Paris, France with its headquarters at Lausanne, Switzerland.
Consistent Events
Only five events have been contested at every summer Olympics since 1896. They are: athletics, cycling, fencing, gymnastics and swimming.
~Beezle
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