First Games
For few it is a secret that the first Olympic Games were held in Greece as early as 776 BC. The small village of Olympia was chosen as the venue for the competition. At that time, competitions were held in only one discipline, which was running at a distance of 189 meters. An interesting feature that made the first Olympic Games in Greece stand out was that only men could take part in them. At the same time, they competed without shoes and any clothes on themselves. Among other things, only one woman, whose name was Demeter, received the right to observe the course of the competition.
History of the Olympics
The first Olympic Games were a great success, so the tradition of holding them has been preserved for another 1168 years. Already at that time it was decided to hold such competitions every four years. A confirmation of their great authority is the fact that during the competition between states that were at war, a temporary peace treaty was always concluded. Each new Olympics has received many changes compared to what the first Olympics were like. First of all, we are talking about adding disciplines. At first it was running at other distances, and then long jumps, fisting, pentathlon, discus throwing, spears, darts and many others were added to it. The winners enjoyed such great respect that they even erected monuments in Greece. There were also difficulties. The most serious of these was the ban on the Games by Emperor Theodosius I in 394 AD. The fact is that he considered this kind of competition pagan entertainment. And 128 years later, a very strong earthquake happened in Greece, because of which the Games were forgotten for a long time.
rebirth
In the middle of the eighteenth century, the first attempts to revive the Olympics began. They began to come true about a hundred years later thanks to the French scientist Pierre de Coubertin. With the help of his compatriot - archaeologist Ernst Curtius - he, in fact, wrote new rules for such competitions. The first modern Olympic Games began on April 6, 1896 in the Greek capital. Representatives of 13 countries from all over the world took part in them. Russia, due to financial problems, did not send its athletes. Competitions were held in nine disciplines, among which were the following: gymnastics, bullet shooting, athletics, weightlifting, wrestling, fencing, tennis, swimming and cycling. Public interest in the Games was colossal, a vivid confirmation of which is the presence at them, according to official figures, of spectators in the amount of more than 90 thousand people. In 1924, it was decided to divide the Olympics into winter and summer.
Failed competitions
It happened that the competitions were not held, despite the fact that they were planned. We are talking about the Berlin Games in 1916, the Olympics in Helsinki in 1940, as well as the London competitions in 1944. The reason for this is one and the same - in world wars. Now all Russians are looking forward to the first Olympic Games to be held in Russia. It will happen in Sochi in 2014.
It was founded in 1896. From the very beginning, the games were held both in the summer and in the winter of the same year. How the modern Olympic Games are held, we will consider in this article.
Already in the twentieth century, the gap between the winter and summer games was two years. used to take place in Olympia and were of great importance to the locals. Previously, there was only one competition in the games - sprinting. A little later they began to hold competitions for horses and running in full uniform. Only local residents and Mediterranean guests could take part in the games. We all know perfectly well how the modern Olympic Games are held today: athletes from all over the world take part in the competitions.
The Games of the Olympiad are held each time in a new place. A certain country, city is selected and all athletes go to the competitions there. There are cases when competitions are held repeatedly in certain countries, for example in Greece. Since it was in Greece that such competitions originated, after a certain period the Olympiad is held there again. Athens is fabulous, so the locals have been holding the Olympic Games with pride and dignity since 1896 (it was here that the first competitions were held).
How the modern Olympic Games are held is known to all viewers, but they should know one thing - the current version is very different from the previous one. Today, the most exciting and largest in the world are the Olympic Games. Programs are constantly changing, improving and mainly consist of twenty or more various kinds sports. As a rule, personal records and achievements are set at competitions. Very rarely the potential of a certain team is assessed, mostly every man for himself. Games are evaluated by three medals: gold, silver and bronze.
As for the comparative characteristics of the games, earlier only Greeks and Mediterranean guests took part, and now all well-established athletes from all over the world took part. Today, women compete on an equal footing with men and have the right to fight for in Greece, but this was simply impossible. At the Olympic Games, athletes fight for awards, the honor of their country, showing their physical abilities, and in ancient times they were even awarded for spiritual abilities. Today it is considered a competition, in the past it was not. When the games were held in Olympia, all hostilities ceased, all the time was devoted to competitions. As before, the games are held every four years, but the interval between the summer and winter games is two years.
How the modern Olympic Games are held, everyone has the opportunity to watch on TV, read about the results in the newspaper. To visit the country that holds them is the dream of every sports fan. We were more fortunate, because in Greece almost everyone knew about the games, but only a few could get there, but now the doors of the Olympic Games are open to all interested spectators!
When and where did the Olympic Games appear? And who is the founder of the Olympic Games, you will learn from this article.
Brief History of the Olympic Games
The Olympic Games were born in Ancient Greece, after all, the athleticism inherent in the Greeks became the reason for the emergence of sports games. The founder of the Olympic Games is King Enomai, who organized sport games for those who wished to take his daughter Hippodamia as a wife. According to legend, he was predicted that his son-in-law would be the cause of death. Therefore, young people who won in certain competitions died. Only the cunning Pelops overtook Oenomaus in chariots. So much so that the king broke his neck and died. The prediction came true, and Pelops, becoming king, established every 4 years to organize the Olympic Games in Olympia.
It is believed that in Olympia, the place where the first Olympic Games were held, the first competitions took place in 776 BC. The name of that who was the first winner of the games in ancient Greece - Koreb from Elis, who won the race.
olympic games in ancient greece sports
For the first 13 games, the only sport in which the participants competed was running. Then there was the pentathlon. It included running, javelin throwing, long jump, discus throwing, wrestling. A little later, a chariot race and fisticuffs were added.
The modern program of the Olympic Games includes 7 winter and 28 summer species sports, that is, 15 and 41 disciplines, respectively. Everything depends on the season.
As soon as the Romans annexed Greece to Rome, the number of nationalities that could take part in the games increased. Gladiator fights have been added to the program of competitions. But in 394 AD, Emperor Theodosius I, an admirer of Christianity, canceled the Olympic Games, considering them entertainment for the pagans.
The Olympic Games have sunk into oblivion for as long as 15 centuries. The first who took a step towards the revival of forgotten competitions was the Benedictine monk Bernard de Montfaucon. He was interested in the history and culture of ancient Greece and insisted that excavations should be carried out in the place where the famous Olympia once stood.
In 1766, Richard Chandler found the ruins of unknown structures of antiquity near Mount Kronos. It was part of the temple wall. In 1824, Lord Stanhof, an archaeologist, began excavations on the banks of the Alpheus. In 1828, the baton of the excavations of Olympia was picked up by the French, and in 1875 by the Germans.
Pierre de Coubertin, the French statesman insisted that the Olympic Games should be restarted. And in 1896, the first revived Olympic Games were held in Athens, which are still popular today.
We hope that from this article you have learned where and when the Olympic Games originated.
OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES, complex winter sports competitions held by the IOC 1 time in 4 years. The decision to hold independent Olympic Winter Games on a regular basis was made in 1925 at the IOC Session in Prague. This was facilitated by the success of world competitions in winter sports - the International Sports Week on the occasion of the VIII Olympiad (1924, Chamonix, France), to which the IOC assigned the name "I Olympic Winter Games"; the term "Olympics" is not accepted in connection with the Olympic Winter Games, but the name "White Olympics" is sometimes used in sports and popular literature. Until 1992, the Olympic Winter Games were held in the year of the Summer Olympic Games, since 1994 - in the middle of the Olympic cycle. In the program of 7 Olympic sports .
In 1924-2014, 22 Olympic Winter Games were held - in the USA (4), France (3), Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Japan, Italy, Canada (2 each), Germany, Yugoslavia, Russia (1 each). Most often, the capitals of the Olympic Winter Games were St. Moritz, Lake Placid and Innsbruck (2 times each). In 1968 at the Olympic winter games first appeared in Grenoble olympic mascot. The same ceremonies are held at the Olympic Winter Games as at the Summer Games. Olympic Games, ignition Olympic flame, raising the Olympic flag (with the same emblem), opening and closing parades, awarding Olympic champions and prize-winners, etc. Olympic records are registered only in speed skating. The list of statesmen and crowned persons who officially opened them: Chamonix, 1924 - Gaston Vidal (Deputy Secretary of State of France); St. Moritz, 1928 - Edmund Schultes (President of Switzerland); Lake Placid, 1932 - Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Governor of New York, USA); Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 1936 - Adolf Hitler (Reich Chancellor of Germany); St. Moritz, 1948 - Enrico Celio (President of Switzerland); Oslo, 1952 - Princess Ragnhild (Her Royal Highness of Norway); Cortina d "Ampezzo, 1956 - Giovanni Gronchi (President of Italy); Squaw Valley, 1960 - Richard Nixon (Vice President of the United States); Innsbruck, 1964 - Adolf Scherf (Federal President of Austria); Grenoble, 1968 - Charles de Gaulle (President France); Sapporo, 1972 - Hirohito (Emperor of Japan); Innsbruck, 1976 - Rudolf Kirschhagler (Federal President of Austria); Lake Placid, 1980 - Walter Mondale (U.S. Vice President); Sarajevo, 1984 - Mika Shpilyak (President of Yugoslavia) ; Calgary, 1988 - Jeanne Matilde Sauve (Governor General of Canada); Albertville, 1992 - Francois Mitterrand (President of France); Lillehammer, 1994 - Harald V (King of Norway); Nagano, 1998 - Akihito (Emperor of Japan); Salt Lake City, 2002 - George W. Bush (President of the United States), Turin, 2006 - Carlo Azeglio Ciampi (President of Italy), Vancouver, 2010 - Mikael Jean (Governor General of Canada), Sochi, 2014 - Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (President of Russia) In the entire history of the White Olympiads, women have opened them only twice (Oslo, 1952; Calgary, 1988).
The largest number of medals in the history of the Olympic Winter Games (as of January 1, 2018) was won by athletes of the national teams: Russia; Norway (22; 118, 111, 100); USA (22; 96, 102, 83); Germany; Sweden (22; 50, 40, 54); Finland (22; 42, 62, 57).
See table 1 for the dates and main totals of all Olympic Winter Games. See table 2 for the most Olympic medal winning athletes at the Olympic Winter Games. See table for athletes who have competed in 6 or more White Olympics. 3.
Table 1. The main results of the Olympic Winter Games (Chamonix, 1924 - Sochi, 2014)
| Olympic Winter Games | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Official name. Capital, dates. Main stadium. Games Mascots (since 1968) | Number of countries; athletes (including women); sets of medals played in sports | Most Successful Athletes (medals gold, silver, bronze) | Countries that have won the most medals (gold, silver, bronze) |
| I Olympic Winter Games. Chamonix, 25.1–5.2.1924. Olympic Stadium (45 thousand seats) | 16; 258 (11); 16 to 9 | K. Thunberg (Finland; 3, 1, 1); T. Haug (Norway; 3, 0, 0); Y. Skutnab (Finland; 1, 1, 1) | Norway (4, 7, 6); Finland (4, 4, 3); Austria (2, 1, 0); Switzerland (2, 0, 1); USA (1, 2, 1) |
| II Olympic Winter Games. St. Moritz, February 11–February 19, 1928. Badrutts Park | 25; 464 (26); 14 to 6 | K. Thunberg (Finland; 2, 0, 0); J. Gröttumsbroten (2, 0, 0) and B. Evensen (1, 1, 1; both - Norway) | Norway (6, 4, 5); USA (2, 2, 2); Sweden (2, 2, 1); Finland (2, 1, 1); France and Canada (1, 0, 0 each) |
| III Olympic Winter Games. Lake Placid, 4.2–15.2.1932. Olympic Stadium (7.5 thousand seats) | 17; 252 (21); 14 to 4 | J. Shea and I. Jeffy (2, 0, 0 each; both - USA) | USA (6, 4, 2); Norway (3, 4, 3); Sweden (1, 2, 0); Canada (1, 1, 5); Finland (1, 1, 1) |
| IV Olympic Winter Games. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, February 6–February 16, 1936. "Olympia-skistadion" ("Olympia-Skistadion"; 35 thousand seats) | 28; 646 (80); 17 to 4 | I. Ballangrud (3, 1, 0) and O. Hagen (1, 2, 0; both Norway); B. Vasenius (Finland; 0, 2, 1) | Norway (7, 5, 3); Germany (3, 3, 0); Sweden (2, 2, 3); Finland (1, 2, 3); Switzerland (1, 2, 0) |
| V Olympic Winter Games. St. Moritz, 30.1–8.2.1948. "Badruts Park" | 28; 669 (77); 22 to 4 | A. Oreye (France; 2, 0, 1); M. Lundström (Sweden; 2, 0, 0) | Sweden (4, 3, 3); Norway (4, 3, 3); Switzerland (3, 4, 3); USA (3, 4, 2); France (2, 1, 2) |
| VI Olympic Winter Games. Oslo, 14.2–25.2.1952. "Bislett" ("Bislett"; St. 15 thousand seats) | 30; 694 (109); 22 at 6 | J. Andersen (Norway; 3, 0, 0); A. Mid-Laurence (USA; 2, 0, 0); L. Nieberl and A. Ostler (both - Germany; 2, 0, 0 each) | Norway (7, 3, 6); US (4, 6, 1); Finland (3, 4, 2); Germany (3, 2, 2); Austria (2, 4, 2) |
| VII Olympic Winter Games. Cortina d'Ampezzo, 26.1–5.2.1956. Olympic Stadium (12 thousand seats) | 32; 821 (134); 24 to 4 | A. Sailer (Austria; 3, 0, 0); E. R. Grishin (USSR; 2, 0, 0); S. Ernberg (Sweden; 1, 2, 1); V. Hakulinen (Finland; 1, 2, 0); P. K. Kolchin (USSR; 1, 0, 2) | USSR (7, 3, 6); Austria (4, 3, 4); Finland (3, 3, 1); Switzerland (3, 2, 1); Sweden (2, 4, 4) |
| VIII Olympic Winter Games. Squaw Valley, 18.2–28.2.1960. "Blyth Arena" ("Blyth Arena"; 8.5 thousand seats) | 30; 665 (144); 27 to 4 | L. P. Skoblikova and E. R. Grishin (both from the USSR; 2, 0, 0 each); V. Hakulinen (Finland; 1, 1, 1) | USSR (7, 5, 9); WGC* (4, 3, 1); USA (3, 4, 3); Norway (3, 3, 0); Sweden (3, 2, 2) |
| IX Olympic Winter Games. Innsbruck, 29.1–9.2.1964. "Bergisel" ("Bergisel"; up to 28 thousand seats) | 36; 1091 (199); 34 to 6 | L. P. Skoblikova (4, 0, 0) and K. S. Boyarskikh (3, 0, 0; both - USSR); E. Myanturanta (Finland; 2, 1, 0); S. Ernberg (Sweden; 2, 0, 1) | USSR (11, 8, 6); Austria (4, 5, 3); Norway (3, 6, 6); Finland (3, 4, 3); France (3, 4, 0) |
| X Olympic Winter Games. Grenoble, 6.2–18.2.1968. "Ledigier" ("Lesdiguie ̀ res"; approx. 12 thousand seats). Skier Schuss (unofficial) | 37; 1158 (211); 35 to 6 | J.C. Killy (France; 3, 0, 0); T. Gustafsson (Sweden; 2, 1.0) | Norway (6, 6, 2); USSR (5, 5, 3); France (4, 3, 2); Italy (4, 0, 0); Austria (3, 4, 4) |
| XI Olympic Winter Games. Sapporo, 3.2–13.2.1972. "Makomanai" (20 thousand seats) | 35; 1006 (205); 35 to 6 | G. A. Kulakova (USSR; 3, 0, 0); A. Schenk (Netherlands; 3, 0, 0); V. P. Vedenin (USSR; 2, 0, 1); M. T. Nadig (Switzerland; 2, 0, 0) | USSR (8, 5, 3); GDR (4, 3, 7); Switzerland (4, 3, 3); Netherlands (4, 3, 2); USA (3, 2, 3) |
| XII Olympic Winter Games. Innsbruck, 4.2–15.2.1976. Bergisel (up to 28 thousand seats). Snowman Olympiamandle | 37; 1123 (231); 37 at 6 | T. B. Averina (USSR; 2, 0, 2); R. Mittermeier (Germany; 2, 1, 0); N. K. Kruglov (USSR; 2, 0, 0); B. Germeshausen and M. Nemer (both - GDR; 2, 0, 0 each) | USSR (13, 6, 8); GDR (7, 5, 7); USA (3, 3, 4); Norway (3, 3, 1); Germany (2, 5, 3) |
| XIII Olympic Winter Games. Lake Placid, 13.2–24.2.1980. "Lake Placid Equestrian Stadium" ("Lake Placid Equestrian Stadium"; hippodrome; 30 thousand seats). Raccoon Roni | 37; 1072 (232); 38 to 6 | E. Hayden (USA; 5, 0, 0); N. S. Zimyatov (USSR; 3, 0, 0); H. Wenzel (Liechtenstein; 2, 1, 0); A. N. Alyabiev (USSR; 2, 0, 1) | USSR (10, 6, 6); GDR (9, 7, 7); USA (6, 4, 2); Austria (3, 2, 2); Sweden (3, 0, 1) |
| XIV Olympic Winter Games. Sarajevo, 8.2–19.2.1984. "Koševo" ("Koš evo"; 37.5 thousand seats). Wolf cub Vuchko | 49; 1272(274); 39 at 6 | M. L. Hämäläinen (Finland; 3, 0, 1); K. Enke (GDR; 2, 2, 0); G. Swan (Sweden; 2, 1, 1); G. Boucher (Canada; 2, 0, 1) | GDR (9, 9, 6); USSR (6, 10, 9); USA (4, 4, 0); Finland (4, 3, 6); Sweden (4, 2, 2) |
| XV Olympic Winter Games. Calgary, 13.2-28.2.1988. "McMahon" ("McMahon"; 35.6 thousand seats). White bear cubs Heidi and Howdy | 57; 1423 (301); 46 to 6 | I. van Gennip (Netherlands; 3, 0, 0); M. Nyukyanen (Finland; 3, 0, 0); T. I. Tikhonova (USSR; 2, 1, 0) | USSR (11, 9, 9); GDR (9, 10, 6); Switzerland (5, 5, 5); Finland (4, 1, 2); Sweden (4, 0, 2) |
| XVI Olympic Winter Games. Albertville, 8.2-23.2.1992. "Theatre de Seremonies" ("Thé atre des Cérémonies"; 35 thousand seats). Mountain Elf Magik | 64; 1801 (488); 57 at 7 | L. I. Egorova (OK**; 3, 2, 0); B. Delhi and V. Ulvang (both from Norway; 3, 1, 0 each); M. Kirchner and G. Niemann (both from Germany; 2, 1, 0 each) | Germany (10, 10, 6); OK** (9, 6, 8); Norway (9, 6, 5); Austria (6, 7, 8); USA (5, 4, 2) |
| XVII Olympic Winter Games. Lillehammer, 12.2–27.2.1994. "Lysgårdsbakken" ("Lysgå rdsbakken"; 40 thousand seats). Folk dolls Haakon and Kristin | 67; 1737 (522); 61 to 6 | L. I. Egorova (Russia; 3, 1, 0); J. O. Koss (Norway; 3, 0, 0); M. Di Centa (Italy; 2, 2, 1) | Russia (11, 8, 4); Norway (10, 11, 5); Germany (9, 7, 8); Italy (7, 5, 8); US (6, 5, 2) |
| XVIII Olympic Winter Games. Nagano, 7.2–22.2.1998. Olympic Stadium (30 thousand seats). Owls Sukki, Nokki, Lekke, Zukki | 72; 2176 (787); 68 to 7 | L. E. Lazutina (Russia; 3, 1, 1); B. Delhi (Norway; 3, 1, 0); O. V. Danilova (Russia; 2, 1, 0); K. Funaki (Japan; 2, 1, 0) | Germany (12, 9, 8); Norway (10, 10, 5); Russia (9, 6, 3); Canada (6, 5, 4); USA (6, 3, 4) |
| XIX Olympic Winter Games. Salt Lake City, 8.2–24.2.2002. "Rice-Eccles" ("Rice-Eccles"; 45 thousand seats). Powder Hare, Copper Coyote, Cole Bear | 78; 2399 (886); 75 to 7 | O. E. Bjoerndalen (Norway; 4, 0, 0); J. Kostelich (Croatia; 3, 1, 0); S. Lajunen (Finland; 3, 0, 0) | Norway (13, 5, 7); Germany (12, 16, 8); US (10, 13, 11); Canada (7, 3, 7); Russia (5, 4, 4) |
| XX Olympic Winter Games. Turin, February 10–February 26, 2006. Olympic Stadium (28 thousand seats). Neve Snowball and Plic Ice Cube | 80; 2508 (960); 84 to 7 | Ahn Hyun-soo (3, 0, 1) and Chin Sung Yoo (3, 0, 0; both Republic of Korea); M. Grice (Germany; 3, 0, 0); F. Gottwald (Austria; 2, 1, 0) | Germany (11, 12, 6); USA (9, 9, 7); Austria (9, 7, 7); Russia (8, 6, 8); Canada (7, 10, 7) |
| XXI Olympic Winter Games. Vancouver, February 12–February 28, 2010. "BC Place" ("BC Place"; approx. 60 thousand seats). Miga killer whale, Kuatchi sea bear, Sumi hawk | 82; 2566 (1044); 86 to 7 | M. Bjørgen (Norway; 3, 1, 1); Wang Meng (China; 3, 0, 0); P. Nortug (2, 1, 1) and E. H. Svendsen (2, 1, 0; both from Norway); M. Neuner (Germany; 2, 1.0) | Canada (14, 7, 5); Germany (10, 13, 7); US (9, 15, 13); Norway (9, 8, 6); Republic of Korea (6, 6, 2) |
| XXII Olympic Winter Games. Sochi, February 7–23, 2014. "Fisht" (40 thousand seats). White bear, Leopard, Bunny | 88; 2780 (1120); 98 at 7 | V. Ahn (Ahn Hyun-soo; Russia; 3, 0, 1); D. V. Domracheva (Belarus; 3, 0 , 0); M. Björgen (3, 0, 0); I. Wüst (Netherlands; 2, 3, 0); S. Kramer (Netherlands; 2, 1, 0); M. Fourcade (France; 2, 1, 0). | Russia (13, 11, 9); Norway (11, 5, 10); Canada (10, 10, 5); USA (9, 7, 12); Netherlands (8, 7, 9). |
* United German team.
** United team of the countries of the former USSR.
Table 2. Athletes with the most victories at the Olympic Winter Games (Chamonix, 1924 - Sochi, 2014).
| Athlete, a country | Kind of sport, years of participation | Medals | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| golden | silver | bronze | ||
| O. E. Bjoerndalen, Norway | Biathlon, 1998–2014 | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| B. Delhi, Norway | Ski race, 1992–1998 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| M. Björgen, Norway | Ski race, 2002–2014 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| L. I. Egorova, Russia | Ski race, 1992–1994 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| W. Ahn (Ahn Hyun-soo)*, Russia | short track, 2006, 2014 | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| L. P. Skoblikova, USSR | Skating, 1960–1964 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| K. Pechstein, Germany | Skating, 1992–2006 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| L. E. Lazutina, Russia | Ski race, 1992–1998 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| K. Thunberg, Finland | Skating, 1924–1928 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| T. Alsgaard, Norway | Ski race, 1994–2002 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| B. Blair, USA | Skating, 1988–1994 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| E. Hayden, USA | Skating, 1980 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| R. P. Smetanina, USSR | Ski race, 1976–1992 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
| S. Ernberg, Sweden | Ski race, 1956–1964 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| R. Gross, Germany | Biathlon, 1992–2006 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| I. Wust, Netherlands | Skating, 2006–2014 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| G. A. Kulakova, USSR | Ski race, 1972–1980 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Ch. A. Omodt, Norway | Skiing, 1992–2006 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| S. Fisher, Germany | Biathlon, 1994–2006 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| I. Ballangrud, Norway | Skating, 1928–1936 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| I. Kostelich, Croatia | Skiing, 2002–2006 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Wang Meng, China | short track, 2006–2010 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| G. Swann, Sweden | Ski race, 1984–1988 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| E. H. Svendsen, Norway | Biathlon, 2010–2014 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| E. R. Grishin, USSR | Skating, 1956–1964 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| J. O. Koss, Norway | Skating, 1992–1994 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| K. Kuske, Germany | Bobsled, 2002–2010 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| A. Lange, Germany | Bobsled, 2002–2010 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| M. Nyukyanen, Finland | Ski jumping, 1984–1988 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| N. S. Zimyatov, USSR | Ski race, 1980–1984 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| A. I. Tikhonov, USSR | Biathlon, 1968–1980 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Jung Lee Kyung (Chung Lee Kyung) The Republic of Korea | short track, 1994–1998 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| S. Amman, Switzerland | Ski jumping, 2002–2010 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| T. Wassberg, Sweden | Ski race, 1980–1988 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
* In 2006 (Turin) he played for the national team of the Republic of Korea.
3 gold Olympic medals won at the Olympic Winter Games of St. 50 athletes (as of January 1, 2018), including representatives of Russia (including the USSR): K. S. Boyarskikh, E. V. Vyalbe, N. V. Gavrylyuk, V. S. Davydov, V. G. Kuzkin , A. P. Ragulin , A. A. Reztsova , I. K. Rodnina , V. A. Tretyak , A. V. Firsov , A. V. Khomutov , Yu. A. Chepalova
Table 3. Athletes who have competed at 6 or more Olympic Winter Games (as of 1.1.2018)
| Athlete (year of birth), a country | Quantity | Kind of sport | Participation years | Medals | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| golden | silver | bronze | ||||
| A. M. Demchenko (b. 1971), Russia | 7 | luge | 1992–2014 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| N. Kasai (b. 1972), Japan | 7 | Ski jumping | 1992–2014 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| C. Coates (b. 1946), Australia | 6 | Skating | 1968–1988 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| M. L. Kirvesniemi (b. 1955), Finland | 6 | Ski race | 1976–1994 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| A. Eder (b. 1953), Austria | 6 | Biathlon | 1976–1994 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| M. Dixon (b. 1962), UK | 6 | Cross-country skiing and biathlon | 1984–2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| I. Britsis (b. 1970), Latvia | 6 | Biathlon | 1992–2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| M. Büchel (b. 1971), Liechtenstein | 6 | Skiing | 1992–2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A. Veerpalu (b. 1971), Estonia | 6 | Ski race | 1992–2010 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| A. Orlova (b. 1972), Latvia | 6 | luge | 1992–2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| E. Radanova* (b. 1977), Bulgaria | 6 | Short trek; cycling | 1994–2010; 2004 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| C. Hughes* (b. 1972), Canada | 6 | Cycling; skating | 1996, 2000, 2012; 2002–2010 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| H. von Hohenlohe (b. 1959), Mexico | 6 | Skiing | 1984–94, 2010, 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| K. Pechstein (b. 1972), Germany | 6 | Skating | 1992–2006, 2014 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| T. Selanne (b. 1970), Finland | 6 | Hockey | 1992, 1998–2014 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| J. Ahonen (b. 1977), Finland | 6 | Ski jumping | 1994–2014 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| O. E. Bjoerndalen (b. 1974), Norway | 6 | Biathlon | 1994–2014 | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| S. N. Dolidovich (b. 1973), Belarus | 6 | Ski race | 1994–2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T. Lodwick (b. 1976), USA | 6 | Nordic combined | 1994–2014 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Lee Kyu Hyuk (b. 1978), Republic of Korea | 6 | Skating | 1994–2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A. Zöggeler (b. 1974), Italy | 6 | luge | 1994–2014 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| M. Stecher (b. 1977), Austria | 6 | Nordic combined | 1994–2014 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| H. Wickenheiser* (b. 1978), Canada | 6 | Hockey; softball | 1998–2014; 2000 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| R. Helminen (b. 1964), Finland | 6 | Hockey | 1984–2002 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| E. Hunyadi (b. 1966), Hungary (1), Austria (5) | 6 | Skating | 1984–2002 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| G. Weissensteiner (b. 1969) | 6 | Luge and bobsleigh | 1988–2006 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| G. Hackl (b. 1966), Germany (1), Germany (5) | 6 | luge | 1988–2006 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| W. Huber (b. 1970), Italy | 6 | luge | 1988–2006 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| S. V. Chepikov (b. 1967), Russia | 6 | Biathlon, cross-country skiing | 1988–2006 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| K. Neumanova* (b. 1973), Czechoslovakia, (1), Czech Republic (5) | 6 | Ski race; mountain bike | 1992–2006; 1996 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
* The athlete also competed at the Olympic Games.
Sports, often understood by the Greeks as competitions, were of such social importance that the very first, accurately dated records, dating back to 776 BC. e. do not contain memories of a battle or a political event, but the name of the first winner of the Olympic Games. It was in 776 BC. and the first Olympic Games were held.
Sport was one of the fundamental components of education for the Greeks. However sport competitions had an important religious significance; competitions were held at the funerals of significant people and were one of the ways to honor the deceased. It is very likely that the games began to be held in memory of the heroes, whose death was mourned by everyone, like the death of Oenomaus in Olympia. In the historical era, the funerary significance of the competitions faded to nothing, their entertainment came to the fore, now they were arranged to please the gods. Over time, some of the iconic venues for the competitions, in particular Olympia, began to acquire great importance for political and religious reasons, so that residents of neighboring cities, then adjacent regions, had to be allowed to participate in the competitions.
The Games have become so important that for the duration of them even wars have stopped. The size of the Olympic Stadium speaks about the number of people who attended the games - its stands could accommodate up to 40 thousand spectators, and 20 people could run on the treadmill at the same time.
The competition lasted five days, of which part of the time was devoted directly to sports, and the other part was devoted to sacrifices, feasts and other religious rites.
Only Hellenes-citizens could participate in the competitions. Non-citizens and barbarians could only be spectators. However, after joining Rome, an exception was made for the Romans, which, however, is not surprising. Women, even as spectators, were not allowed to participate in the festive competitions.
The first, and at first the only, type of competition in the Olympic Games was running - they ran for a distance of 192 meters (one Olympic stage). Starting from the 14th game, a new competition appeared - a double run. In this competition, the runners ran for two stages - 384 m. Later, a long run appeared (from 15 games) over a distance of 7 to 24 stages.
Starting from the 65th Olympiad, the hoplite run was included in the competition - the runners competed in the full equipment of a heavily armed infantryman. By the way, this is the only type of competition in the Olympic Games in which athletes covered their nudity.
In addition to running, athletes competed in fisticuffs (added at the 23rd Olympiad), pankration, or hand-to-hand combat(added in the 33rd Olympiad), wrestling (added in the 18th Olympiad), and pentathlon or pentathlon (added in the 18th Olympiad).
Equestrian competitions were an important part of the competition. Particularly popular were quadriga races (since the 25th Olympic Games). The winners in them were the owners of the horses, not the drivers. This sport was available only to high society - the richest Greeks and representatives of the royal families, who were able to keep horses.
The reward for the winner in the games was a wreath of wild olives and, of course, universal reverence among fellow tribesmen - poems were composed in honor of them, even statues were erected.
In 394, the Olympic Games, as pagan, were banned by the Christian emperor Theodosius. For a long century, mankind forgot about these grandiose competitions, sports facilities fell into disrepair, or were destroyed.
The Olympic Games received a new life in the 19th century - since 1896, the summer Olympic Games were organized by enthusiasts. They were held every four years. Starting from 1924, the Winter Olympic Games were established, which, starting from 1994, began to be held with a shift of two years relative to the time of the summer games.