Olympic Games

The world's greatest international sports games are known as the Olympic Games.

The Olympic idea means friendship, fraternity and cooperation among the people of the world. The Olympic Movement proves that real peace can be achieved through sport.

The Olympic emblem is five interlinked rings: blue, yellow, black, green and red. Any national flag contains at least one of these colors.

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.

The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. Then they were resumed in London after the Second World War. Since then the Olympics are held every fourth year in different countries.

The ancient Greeks had no winter sports. Only in 1924 the first Winter Olympic Games were held in France. Now they are being held regularly.

Olympic Games

The most famous sports games in the world are the Olympic Games.

The idea of ​​the games is friendship, brotherhood and harmony among the peoples of the world. The Olympic Movement proves that peace can be achieved through sport.

The Olympic emblem is five interlaced rings: blue, yellow, black, green and red. The flag of any country has at least one of these colors.

The first time the Olympic Games were held in Ancient Greece in 776 BC. e. They were part of a festival held every fourth year in honor of the god Zeus at Olympia. It was grand sports holiday, which included competitions in wrestling, running, chariot riding, rowing, etc.

Only men were allowed to the games, women were forbidden not only to participate, but also to observe.

The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 in Athens. Then they were resumed in London after the Second World War. Since that time, the Olympic Games have been held every fourth year in different countries.

The ancient Greeks did not have winter sports. It wasn't until 1924 that the first Winter Olympic Games took place in France. Now they are held regularly.

Questions:

1. What are the world's greatest sports games?
2. What does the Olympic idea mean?
3. What is the Olympic emblem?
4. Why have these colors been chosen?
5. When and where did the original Olympic Games begin?
6. Did women participate in the games?
7. When were the first modern Olympic Games held? Where?
8. Are the Olympics held in the same place?
9. When did the Winter Olympic Games start being held? Where?

Vocabulary:

peace - peace
fraternity - brotherhood
contain(s) - contain
ancient - ancient
B.C. (before Christ) - BC
Zeus - Zeus
to participate - participate
to resume - resume

The Olympic Games is a worldwide famous sport event. Every four years the best sportsmen of every country united in national teams meet each other in one selected city to find out who is the strongest, fastest and the sturdiest person in the world. There are two types of these games: summer and winter ones, because all sports are conditionally divided according to seasons.

The event was first organized by the ancient Greeks at the Olympus (a residence of Greek gods) more than 2,700 years ago. Modern games are very different from the first ones and quantity of played sports changes every time depending on their popularity. Summer sports usually include synchronized swimming, volleyball, rhythmic-sportive gymnastics, pole vaulting, athletics, etc. The most popular winter sports are hockey, bobsledding, figure skating, biathlon and skiing. As it was noted before, the program is changeable: the most popular sport stays, the less popular one disappears for some time (rugby, motor sports and golf).

The winners in every competition get gold, silver and bronze medals and every sportsman desires to win the golden award. It is a big honor for every country to be a host for Olympic Games, because this is a chance to show its power, financial capabilities and the highest hospitality to guests from other countries by means of organization, opening/closing ceremonies of event and Olympic torch relay.

The Olympic Games are world famous sporting event. The best athletes from all countries unite in teams representing nations, meet in a specially selected city every four years to find out who is the strongest, fastest and most enduring. There are two types of such games: winter and summer, since all sports can be conditionally divided according to the season.

This event was first held by the Ancient Greeks on Mount Olympus (the home of the Greek gods) over 2700 years ago. Modern games very far from those that were held first, and the number of participating sports varies each time depending on their popularity. summer views sports usually include synchronized swimming, volleyball, gymnastics, pole vaulting, athletics, etc. The most popular Winter sports are hockey, bobsleigh, figure skating, biathlon and cross-country skiing. As noted earlier, the program is changeable: the most popular sports remain, while the less popular ones disappear for a while (rugby, motorsport and golf).

Competition winners receive gold, silver and bronze medals and every athlete dreams of a gold medal. It is a great honor for each country to host the Olympics, as it is a chance to show its power, financial capabilities and a high level of hospitality towards guests from other countries through the organization of events, the opening and closing ceremonies of the game and the Olympic torch relay.

It is worth noting that the official language in Rio de Janeiro, the capital of the 2016 games, is Portuguese, which can be learned via Skype at our school.

The Olympic Games are one of the most spectacular reminders of the debt we owe to the Greeks.

The original Olympic Games were held every four years in honor of Zeus, the supreme god of Greek religion. The first record of the games dates from 776 B.C., but it is certain that they existed prior to that. They were held continuously for over 1,000 years until they were abolished in the reign of King Theodosius about 392 A.D. The Olympic festival was a great unifying bond between the Independent city-states of Greece.

The important sports in the original Olympic Games were running, jumping, wrestling, throwing the discus and throwing the javelin. Only men competed and they wore no clothes in order to have greater freedom of movement. Each competitor had to take the Olympic Oath - a promise to behave in a sportsman-like fashion.

The modern Olympic era began in 1894 when Frenchman Baron Pierre de Coubertin decided to revive the ancient Greek tradition of celebrating health, youth and peace with a sports festival. Baron de Coubertin created the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the first modem Olympiad took place in Athens in 1896. Since then the Olympic Games have been held every four years with only two exceptions because of the two world wars.

Even though the modern Olympic Games embrace the whole world, the connection with Greece is still very strong. A lighted torch is brought all the way from Greece, carried by a relay of runners, in order to light the Olympic Flame which bums all through the Games. As in ancient Greek times, the competitors still take the Olympic Oath. The long-distance race is still called the Marathon. Marathon was a village about 26 miles from Athens. In the year 490 BC the Greeks defeated a powerful Persian army at that spot. After the fierce day"s fighting a soldier volunteered to bring news of the victory to the anxious citizens of Athens. He ran all the way and after gasping out the message. "Rejoice, we conquer!" he collapsed and died.

One important rule of the Olympic Games is that the competitors must be amateurs. This rule has been under a lot of pressure in recent years because modem sport is so professional and competitive. Athletes train for years to take part in the Olympics and some countries spend much more than others on equipment and facilities. But despite these pressures, the amateur rule remains.

In modern times the Olympic movement has become an enormous and expensive organisation, It's controlled by the International Olympic Committee, which consists of members from all the participating countries. The IOC is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. It chooses the locations of both summer and winter games (both take place once very four years, with winter games half a year before summer Olympiads). It also controls the rules of the competitions and selects new Olympic sports. The famous flag of the IOC shows five rings of different colors linked together.The rings represent the five continents.

Level C. Classic essay

The Importance of the Olympic Games

People have been thinking about their health since the time immemorial. The main way to keep fit is going in for sports. That is why the Olympic Games, which have a long history, were organized. And this year, Russia is honored to host the winter Olympic Games. So how will they affect us and our country?
In my opinion, these Games will play a very important role in the history of the Russian Federation. First of all, we can show our hospitality, our traditions and our culture to people all over the world. I know that foreigners have some stereotypes about Russia, so these Games can break them. Secondly, it will be a great opportunity for our people to communicate and make more friends among guests from different countries. That will make our international relationships stronger.

But some people claim that holding Olympic Games is not a very good idea, because the country has to invest really a great deal of money to organize the ceremonies, build stadiums, hotels and Olympic Games objects and equipment for stadiums and athletic halls.

I strongly disagree with this opinion. I believe the more you give, the better results you will have. So this money will be worth it.

In conclusion, I would like to say that Russia is famous for its hospitality and “a wide soul”. I believe that this event will help us become one big family, enjoy all this time and support our country in these important competitions.

People began to think about their health from time immemorial. The main way to keep yourself in shape is playing sports. Therefore, the Olympic Games were organized, which have their own long history. This year, Russia is honored to host the Winter Olympic Games as a guest. So how will this affect us and our country?

In my opinion, these games will play a huge role in the story Russian Federation. First of all, we will be able to show our hospitality, our traditions and our culture to people from all over the world. I know that foreigners have some stereotypes about our country, so this event will help break them down. Second, it will great opportunity for our people to communicate with people from different countries and make friends among foreigners. This will help our international relations become stronger.

But some people think that holding the Olympic Games is not a good idea, since the state should invest a huge amount of money in the organization. In the construction of stadiums, hotels and various Olympic facilities and equipment for stadiums and arenas.

In conclusion, I would like to say that Russia is known for its hospitality and "big heart". I believe that this event will help us become one, enjoy this time and support our team in this difficult competition.