The origin of the ancient Olympic Games is shrouded in mystery. The first historical mention of the Game was in 776 B.C. Iphites (King of Elis) in collaboration with Cleosthenes (King of Pisa) and Lycurgus (King of Sparta) is reported to have promoted or initiated the Games at Olympia. the Olympiad celebrated that year was considered as the first and was used to date subsequent historic events. the Old Olympiads were held after every four years and the Greeks measured the time in terms of the Games started on the first new moon after the summer solstice, around mid-July/Agusut. The Games started with sacrifices.

Only free-born male Greek citizens without a criminal record and officially registered in the Citizen Roster of his native city could contest. Slaves and women were not eligible. Slowly people from other parts of the world were allowed to participate and women were also allowed to watch the Games.

MODERN OLYMPIC GAMES

The revival of the Games was undertaken by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a French nobleman, a brilliant educator and a practical dreamer. The Games were revived after nearly 1500 years. Baron Pierre de Coubertin was born in a family of Italian origin which had settled in France. On November 25, 1892, during a conference at Sorbonne about ‘history of physical exercise’, he pronounced the famous six words in public: ‘The Restoration of the Olympic Games’. Coubertin wanted Paris to be the site of the First Modern Olympics and he proposed that the same should be started in the year 1900. But it was decided that the Games he started in the year 1896 itself. Venue of the First Modern Olympics was Athens (Greece). The first Modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. The Games are declared open by the head (of the state) of host nation.

OLYMPIC MOTTO, EMBLEM AND FLAG

Motto :“Citius, Aitius, Fortius”. These are Latin words, which mean ‘Swifter, Higher and Stronger’. It was composed in 1897 by Rev. Father Didon, a friend of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, and introduced in the 1

920 games for the first time.

Emblem : Is composed of five inter-twined rings, each of a different colour, representing five continents of the world. It is placed in the centre of the Olympic Flag.

Flag : The Olympic flag is white in colour (originally made of cotton) 3m×2m. The emblem placed in the middle is 206cm×60cm. The flag was designed by Coubertin himself in 1913 and it was first hosted in 1920 at the Antwerp Games and the motto was then added to it.

Epigram : “The essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well”. The epigram was given by the Bishop of Pennsylvania in 1908. It means the importance of the Olympics is not the winning but taking part in it. The torch used to kindle the flame is first lit by the sun’s rays at the shrine of Zeus (Greece). It is then carried overland by a relay of runners to the site of the games and placed in a bowl during the period of the Games.

The Olympic Torch Relay : The practice of Torch Relay from Olympia (Greece) to the venue of the Games was first introduced by German Olympic Committee for the Berlin Games in 1936 and, has since become part of the Olympic games.

Olympic Mascot : It was introduced in 1972 at the 20th Olympic Games held at Munich and since then an Olympic Mascot is selected for a particular year and venue. The following have been the Mascot so far.

Medals : The medal is about 60 mm in diameter and 3 mm in thickness. The Gold and Silver medals are both made of 92.5% pure silver. However the Gold medal is plated with 6 gm, of pure gold. The third-position medal is made of bronze in addition to prizes given to athletes. There are certain awards and trophies which are awarded to those who promote, the cause of Olympics, as given below.

The Olympic Order : Instituted in 1974, the Olympic Order in a gold, silver or bronze decoration, awarded to a person who has rendered outstanding services or displayed the Olympic ideals.Mrs. Indira Gandhi was awarded this Order in 1983 by the IOC for her contribution to the organisation of the New Delhi Asiad (1982).

The Olympic Cup : Instituted in 1906, by Coubertin. Its reproduction is awarded to an institution which contributes to the development of sports in general and the Olympic movement in particular. The original cup remains at the Chateau de vivy in France.

Sir Thomas Fearnley Cup : Awarded to a club or a local sport association for remarkable achievement in the service of the Olympics. It was instituted in 1950 by Sir Thomas Fearnley, a former IOC member.

Mohammed Toher Trophy : Awarded to an amateur athelete, not necessarily an Olympian. It was instituted in 1950 by the former IOC member Mohammed Toher.

Count Alberta Bonacossa Trophy : Awarded to a National Olympic Committee for outstanding work. It was instituted in 1954 by the Italian National Olympic Committee in honour of its IOC member Count Alberto Bonacossa.

Tokyo Trophy : It is given for exemplary conducted and displayed by an athelete during the Games. It was instituted in 1964 and presented by Tokyo City.

Introduction of Events In The Olympics

History of Olympic Games (1896-2012)

India’s Performance In The Olympics

This chart comprises of only those Olympics where India could manage to win at least one medal.

First Olympics

Second Olympics

Third Olympics

Fourth Olympics

Fifth Olympics

Sixth Olympics

Seventh Olympics

Eighth Olympics

Ninth Olympics

Tenth Olympics

Eleventh Olympics

Tewlfth Olympics

Thirteenth Olympics

Fourteenth Olympics

Fifteenth Olympics

Sixteenth Olympics

Seventeenth Olympics

Eighteen Olympics

Nineteenth Olympics

Twentieth Olympics

Twenty First Olympics

Twenty Second Olympics

Twenty Third Olympics

Twenty Forth Olympics

Twenty Fifth Olympics

Twenty Sixth Olympics

Twenty Seventh Olympics

Twenty Eighth Olympics

Twenty Ninth Olympics

Thirtieh Olympics

WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES

Winter Olympic Games were started in the year A.D. 1924. The first Games were held at Chamonix (France). The Winter Games are numbered in rotation as they are held. The programme at the winter games includes ice hockey, figure skating, speed skating, alpine skating, skiing, etc. Like the Summer Games, the winners of Winter Games are also awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. the XIX Winter Olympic Games were held in February 8, 2002 at Salt Lake City, Utah (USA). It saw the expansion of the Olympic programme to 78 events including the return of Skeleton and the introduction of women’s bobsleigh. Athletes form a record 18 nations earned gold medals.

Fundamental Principles at Olympic Games

• There is no distinction based on caste, colour, creed in the Olympic family.
• All competitors have to be amateurs.
• To create worldwide amity, feelings of brotherhood and fairplay.