How can athletes take part?

Normally, each country decides for itself which sportsmen will take part in the competitions. Athletes, who are sent to the games by their country, must be citizens of that country. For years, only amateurs were able to participate in the games, but today most athletes are professionals, who earn their money through sport.

Most governments give their team money so that it can take part in the games.

The ancient Games

The original Olympic Games began in ancient Greece in 776 B.C. These games were part of a festival held every fourth year in honor of God Zeus at the place called Olympia. It was a great athletic festival, including competitions in wrestling, foot racing and chariot racing, rowing and others. The games were for men only. Greek women were forbidden not only to participate but also to watch the Olympics.

When the Romans conquered Greece in 140 B.C. the games started to lose their religious meaning and in 393 the Roman emperor banned the event.

The Summer Games

The Summer Games are held during the summer season in the host country. They last for 16 days. Today there are more than 270 events during the games. Over 15,000 athletes of 190 nations take part.

The Winter Games

The first separate Winter Games were held in Chamonix, France in 1924. They usually take place in February. Today the Winter Olympics include over 60 events. Athletes from more than 60 countries participate.

Politics and the Olympic Games

In the past, the Olympic Games have been disturbed by political issues. In 1936 the IOC chose Berlin as the site for the 1936 Summer Games. A few years later, Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party rose to power and Hitler used the games to show Germany's power.

In 1968 two Black American runners protested against their government and raised their fists when the American national anthem was played.

In 1980 the USA and many other countries didn't send athletes to the games in Moscow because the Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan a year before. In return, the Russians and other Communist countries refused to take part in the 1984 games in Los Angeles.

The worst day in Olympic history came on September 5th, 1972 during the Munich games. Eight Palestinian terrorists broke into the Olympic village and killed two Israeli athletes. 9 others were taken hostage. They wanted the Israeli government to set free over 400 Arab prisoners in Israel. During a battle with German policemen all hostages and the terrorists were killed.

Olympia today

The Olympic Games have become very successful over the past years. More and more people are able to watch them on TV and television stations are spending more money for the rights to broadcast the games. The IOC earns more money than ever before. With this money they help athletes in poorer countries.

Drugs have become a big problem. Some athletes take drugs before and during the games in order to help their muscles grow. When they are caught they are disqualified and their medals are taken away from them.

Vocabulary:

to participate – брати участь

to compete – змагатися

to revive – відновлювати

flame – полум’я

torch – смолоскип, факел

to prove – доводити

peace – мир

spirit – дух

knowledge – знання

to achieve – досягати

oath – присяга, клятва

national anthem – національний гімн

ancient – стародавній

in honour of – в честь

wrestling – боротьба

foot racing – змагання з бігу

chariot racing – гонки на колісницях

rowing – гребля