The Olympic Games in
Questions and Answers
1. What is an important symbol of the Olympic Games?
The Olympic Games are the world’s number one sporting event. But a
chance to win gold and glory isn’t all the Games stand for. They are also an important
symbol for billions of people around the globe – a symbol of hope, peace and friendly
co-operation between nations.
Physical culture is a component of the culture of humanity. “In a healthy body there is
a healthy spirit”. This aphorism came to us from distant ancestors. The Olympic Games
are the sport festival where almost all kinds of sports are present in contrast to world
championships, for example.
2. Why are the Games called “the Olympics”?
The Games are called the Olympics because they started in Olympia,
Greece.
3. What was Olympia?
Olympia was an ancient Greek town. This was the place of the Zeus cult
and realization of the Olympic Games.
4. What is Mt. Olympus?
Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece (2911 m). In Greek mythology
Olympus is the holy mountain where the Greek Gods (with Zeus at the head) lived. Olympus
is the meeting or the assembly of the Olympic Gods, too.
5. Who were the Olympians?
The Olympians were Greek mythological Gods who lived on Mt. Olympus.
They were supposed to be indifferent to the sufferings and emotions of people. Hence, a
figurative sense of the world “Olympian” developed. It means a man who keeps
imperturbable calm – Olympian calm. Olympians are Olympic competitors, too.
6. Where and when did the original Olympic Games begin?
The original Olympic games began in Olympia in Ancient Greece in 776
BC.
7. Who founded the original Olympic games?
According to Greek mythology Heracles had already accomplished his
twelve labours, had become free from the service for Eurystheus, when he decided to avenge
himself on Augeas for he had not given the promised reward to Heracles. His revenge was
terrible. After his victory Heracles gathered his forces and all his rich booty, made
sacrifices to the Olympic Gods and founded the Olympic Games. Since that time they have
been held in the Holy valley which had been planted by Heracles with olive trees dedicated
to the goddess Athena-Pallada.
8. How often were the Olympic Games held?
The Olympic Games were held every four years. They lasted five days.
During this period general peace was declared all over Greece. Before beginning and after
competing the Olympic Games plentiful sacrifices were made to Zeus.
9. Who competed in the ancient Olympic Games?
Soldiers competed in the ancient games. The early games were limited to
men.
10. What was the first competition?
The first competition was for foot races.
11. What competitions were classical?
Classical competitions were wrestling, javelin-throwing, running,
athletics, art competitions and others.
12. How was the main winner honoured?
The main winner was crowned with laurels, and that was the highest
honour which a Greek could reach. Four years (Olympiad) were called by his name, hymns
were sung to honour him.
13. When did the Ancient Olympic Games end?
In 394 the Ancient Olympic Games were abolished by order of the Roman
emperor Theodosius II “to stop this pagan abomination”. In 426 Olympia was burnt by
order of the emperor. All luxurious buildings in the place where the Olympic Games took
place and the temple of Zeus became ruins. Only the excavations of the 19th century (130
statues, about 13,000 bronze items, about 10,000 inscriptions and others were found) gave
us the possibility to get the correct picture of former Olympia and Olympic Games.
 14. Who founded the Modern Olympics? When? Where? Why?
The Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the modern Olympics in Athens in
1896 to reunite the world through sports.
15. What is the principle of the modern Olympic movement?
Merely participating in the Olympic Games is a victory in itself. The
failure to win a medal should not diminish the honour of having participated in a contest
with the world’s best athletes. The principle of the Olympic movement is contained in
the words of Pierre de Coubertin: “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not
to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but
the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well.”
16. What is the Olympic Charter?
It is the name of the regulations of the Olympic Games. The basics were
worked out by Pierre de Coubertin and confirmed by the International Sports Congress in
1894 in Paris.
17. When did women start competing?
Women started competing in 1912.
18. Where and when did the Winter Olympic Games begin?
The Winter Olympic Games began in Chamonit (France) in 1924.
19. What sports can be on the Olympic Games programme?
If in 20–25 countries of two-three continents people go in for a
definite sport, this sport can be in the Olympic Games programme for women. If in 40
countries of three continents people go in for the sport, this sport can be in the Summer
Olympic Games programme for men. These sports are included in the programme of the Olympic
Games by the decision of the International Olympic Committee.
The programme of the Summer Olympic Games includes track-and-field events, gymnastics,
weight-lifting, football, volleyball, basketball, swimming, diving and water polo,
wrestling, shooting, yachting, cycling, boxing, horse racing, equestrian sports, fencing,
archery, handball, field hockey, judo, modern pentathlon, rowing and canoeing sports,
callisthenics, synchronized swimming, and chess.
20. What is the Olympic symbol?
Five interlocked rings of blue, black, red (the upper row), yellow and
green (the lower row) colours symbolize the five continents united into the Olympic
movement.
De Coubertin suggested this symbol in 1913 and since 1920 it has been used.
21. What does every ring symbolize?
The blue ring symbolizes Europe, the black ring – Africa, the red
ring – America, the yellow ring – Asia, the green ring – Australia.
22. What is the Olympic flag?
The Olympic flag has a white background with no border. In the centre
there is placed the Olympic symbol of five interlocked rings. The Olympic flag appeared in
Olympic competition for the first time at Antwerp in 1920.
23. What is the Olympics motto? What does it mean?
The Olympics motto is “Citius, altius, fortius”. These Latin words
mean: “Faster, higher, stronger”. Since 1920 it has been used in the Olympics.
24. What mascots of the Olympic Games do you know?
The mascot of Moscow 1980 Olympic Games was bear “Misha”. The
mascot of Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games was a cartoon dog “Cobi”. The mascot of Athens
2004 Olympic Games for Russian sportsmen was “Cheburashka”.
25. What is the emblem of the anniversary Athens 2004 Olympic Games?
It is the laurel wreath placed on champions heads.
26. What happens at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games?
At the opening ceremony there is a parade of all sportsmen of every
nation who take part in the Olympic Games. In the front of every team they carry their
national flag. Participators wear different beautiful uniforms. Countries-participators
enter in alphabetical order. The team of Greece is the first by tradition, the team of the
organizing country of the Olympic Games is the last. The chairman of the Olympic Community
makes a speech. The Olympic anthem is played. The Olympic flag is raised on the flag pole.
The Olympic flame is lit. One of the sportsmen-participants takes an oath on behalf of all
the sportsmen to observe all the principles of the competition. One of the judges takes an
oath on behalf of all the judges that the judging will be honest and impartial. After the
parade a cultural performance takes place.
 27. What do you know about the Olympic flame?
The Olympic flame has been the traditional attribute of the Olympic
Games since 1936. It is set aflame by the sun’s rays on Mt. Olympus and then it is
carried hand-to-hand by relays of runners from the original site of the Olympic Games of
Olympia around the world to the solemn opening at the capital of the Olympic Games where
it burns in the special bowl in the stadium. As a symbol of peace among men, the flame
represents the basic spiritual significance of this classic competition.
28. Where do sportsmen live during the Olympic Games?
They live in the Olympic Village. This is a complex of dwelling houses
for sportsmen-participators. The building of the Olympic Village is a duty of the
city-organizer of the Olympic Games.
29. What are the Olympic awards?
Olympic awards are medals.
30. What do the winners of the Olympic Games receive?
The first place winner receives a gold medal, the second place winner
receives a silver medal and the third place winner receives a bronze medal.
31. What sort of games are the paralympics? Who are these games for?
The paralympics is for people with a physical disability. They were
first held in Rome in 1960. The athletes take part in 19 different sports. They play
tennis and snooker, do judo and weight lifting, bike, swim, run and jump.
32. When did Russia begin to take part in the Olympic Games?
Russia began to take part in the Olympic Games in 1908.
33. Where and when were the 22nd summer Olympic Games held?
The 22nd summer Olympic Games were held in Moscow in 1980 (from July 19
to August 3). Many athletes, guests, journalists came to Moscow. It was the first time the
Olympic Games were held in our country.
34. What medals did our sportsmen win during the 22nd Olympic Games?
Our sportsmen won 80 gold, 69 silver and 46 bronze medals during these
Games.
35. What significant event happened on July, 28 during the Olympiad?
Why were the stands at the stadium almost empty?
It happened because Moscow buried Vladimir Vysotsky.
36. Do you know when and where the Olympic Games took place?
I – 1896 Athens, Greece
II – 1900 Paris, France
III – 1904 Saint Louis, USA
V – 1912 Stockholm, Sweden
VII – 1920 Antwerp, Belguim
VIII – 1924 Paris, France
IX – 1928 Amsterdam, Netherlands
X – 1932 New York City, USA
XI – 1936 Berlin, Germany
XIV – 1948 London, Great Britain
XV – 1952 Helsinki, Finland
XVI – 1956 Melbourne, Australia
XVII – 1960 Rome, Italy
XVIII – 1964 Tokyo, Japan
XIX – 1968 Mexico, Mexico
XX – 1972 Munich, West Germany
XXI – 1976 Montreal, Canada
XXII – 1980 Moscow, Russia
XXIII – 1984 Los Angeles, USA
XXIV – 1988 Seoul, South Korea
XXV – 1992 Barcelona, Spain
XXVI – 1996 Atlanta, USA
XXVII – 2000 Sydney, Australia
XXVIII – 2004 Athens, Greece
37. Why were the Olympic Games VI, XII, XIII cancelled?
They were cancelled because of World War I and II.
38. Why aren’t the Winter Olympic Games held in leap years now?
In 1992 the Olympic Committee decided to transfer the Winter Olympic
Games from a leap-year in an even year in order not to hold two Games in the same year.
By Lyudmila Pechenina, Likhoslavl, Tver Reg.
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