From the history of the Games Ancient Greece

1. Where exactly were the Games held in Ancient Greece? (On the Peloponnesian Peninsula, in the city of Olympia, on Bere gu river Alpheus.)

2. What events did the ancient Olympians compete in? (Pentathlon; running, long jump, javelin and discus throwing, wrestling; fist fighting;

as well as chariot racing, a full marathon race military weapons, competitions of poets and musicians.)

3. During Olympic Games a sacred truce was declared. Was it violated in Ancient Greece? (Yes. In 36 beforen. e. arch-Dians captured Olympia. The Greeks, angry, banned them from participating in the Games for a long time.)

4. Which famous people of Ancient Greece took part in the Games? (“Father of Medicine” Hippocrates [I], philosophers Socrates and Plato[Z], playwrights Sophocles andEuripides [ 5], mathematician andphilosopher Pythagoras.)

5. At what time of year and with what frequency were the Games held? (Every four years, between harvest and wine-gatheringO hail.)

6. Who was allowed to participate in the Olympic Games? (Greek men.) In Hellas they competed in a race of one stage. According to legend, Hercules himself marked the distance for the runners. How did he measure the distance? (Feet: a stade is approximately equal to 600 feet, or 92m 27cm.)

8. When did the first Olympic Games take place? (In 776 BC)

9. In whose honor were the Games held? (In honor of Zeus /8/)

10. The Olympian dynasty lived on the island of Rhodes. The head of the family, his sons and grandchildren competed at the Olympic Games for more than 80 years, took part in 12 Games, and won nine laurel wreaths for their island. Remember the name of the founder of the dynasty. (Diagor.)

Second envelope questions

From the history of the modern Olympic Games.

1. Who came up with the proposal to revive the Olympic Games? (French public figureb baronPierde Coubertin .)

2. When and where were the first Olympic Games held? modernT And? (IN1 896 in Athens.)

3. In what year were the first Winter Olympic Games held? (In 1924., Chamonix, France.)

4. Remember the motto of the Olympic Games. (“SSHsh, AM And5,/ogPi5^ - <&ы -faster, higher, stronger^.)

5. Which Games did not take place due to world wars? (Sixth (1916), twelfth (1940), thirteenth (1944).)

6. In what year did Soviet athletes first take part in the Olympic Games? (In 1952., Helsinki, Finland, XV Olympic Games.)

7. When did women begin to take part in the Olympic Games? (1900., II Olympic Games.)

8. The XI Winter Olympic Games were held in Asia for the first time. When and where? (1972t., Sapporo, Japan.)

9. When V honor of the victories of the Russians, the tricolor banner was raised for the first time at the Olympic Games? (1992., Barcelona, ​​Spain.)

10. Name the continent where the Olympic Games were held in 2000. (Australia.)Third envelope questions Outstanding athletes

1. The first Russian Olympic champion, figure skater. (NikolaiA lexandrovichPanin-Kolomenkin, 1871/72- 1956 , champion 1908)

2. The first Olympic champion of our time. (American athlete JamesConnolly; his result in the triple jump is 13m 71cm.)

3. Two-time Olympic champion, discus thrower, who won the first Olympic gold medal in the history of Soviet sports. /Yam^d/7oyaol(o/?^a/Rol<ош/со@й^.^

4. A unique gymnast: she has 18 Olympic medals, nine of them are gold. (Larisa Latynina.)

5. The star of this athlete burned brighter than others for three years in a row: in 1962, 1963, 1964. He was called the best athlete in the world. ( Valais­ riyBrumel.)

6. High jumper Dick Fosbury became an Olympic champion by jumping using the method he invented. Since then, all world achievements in this sport have been established only by this method, called the “Fosbury flop”. What kind of jump is this?

(Back to the bar.) 7. One of the rarest medals for our team was won by Vladimir Belousov.Our compatriots have never managed to win again in this sport. Name it.

(Jumping with tram-8. The miracle of the XXI Olympiad was Bob Beamon's long jump. This from

a black American flew 8 m 90 cm. How many years did the all-time world record last? (Almost a quarter of a century: until 1991)b 9. The absolute record for the number of gold medals won at one Games was set in Munich by American swimmer Mark Spitz.

How many times has he become champion? (Sem once.), 10.B, And at the VII Olympic Games in 1956, Soviet hockey players managed to defeat the founders of this game - the Canadians. Remember the names of the athletes who won the victory.­ (Vsevolod Bobrov. )

Evgeny Babich

Nikolai Sologubov, Ivan Treguboe, goalkeeper Niko

Barking Tufts Fourth Envelope QuestionsAnd Olympic mosaicb 1. What does the Olympic flag represent?(White linen with five intertwined rings of blue, black, red, green and yellow. Friday,)

2. “The Olympic movement is called upon to promote the development of physical and moral qualities that are the basis of amateur sports, to educate youth through sport in the spirit of better mutual understanding and friendship, thus contributing to the creation of a better and more peaceful world.” What kind of text is this? (Olympius-skycharter.)

3. Quote the main words of the famous “Ode to Sport” by Pierre de Coubertin. (“Oh sport, you - world!»}

4. What is the name of the organization that heads the Olympic din and living inIR re? (Internationall Imperial Committee.)

5. During the opening of the Olympic Games, one of the outstanding athletes of the host country makes a speech on behalf of all participants in the Games. What kind of speech is this? (Olympic Oath.)

6. Everyone The National Olympic Committee has an emblem. What does the emblem of the Russian NOC look like? (Five Olympic medalsO lectern and tricolor imageO th tongue of flame.)

7. For special services to the Olympic movement, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awards a sports figure or athlete with the highest sign of Olympic honor. What is the name of this sign? (Olympic Order.)

8. Which Olympic Games took place without the participation of Soviet athletes for political reasons? (XXYyear olds Olympic Games, 1984., Los Angele s, USA. )

9.XX I I Summer Olympic Games took place in Moscow. At what year? (In 1980. )

10. How is the Olympic torch lit? (A beam of solar rays, collected using a system of lenses and reflectors, is directed onto the torch.)Fifth envelope questions Olympics 2000

1. What Games took place in Sydney (Australia)?

(XXVII.) 2. List the countries whose teams won the most medals at the 2000 Olympics.7 (USA - 9, , Russia - 88

China - 59.) 3. In what sport have our athletes won the most medals?e (Artistic gymnastics: five gold each, with

ribbed and bronze.) 4. The silver award of Vietnamese Tan Huy Gran became the first Olympic medal in the history of her country. In what sport was this medal won?

(Takewondo.) 5. Name the sports in which Russian teams won Olympic gold.

(Saber and epee fencing, handball (men), synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics.) 6. The Sydney Olympics began two days before the official opening ceremony. In what sport were the “premature” competitions held?

7. At three Olympics in a row, this athlete was one step away from victory. The fourth attempt was lucky. Thanks to his victory, the Russian team received its first highest award. Name the famous fencer. (Pivel Kolobkov.)

8. Sergey Aliferenko won his first victory in top-ranking international competitions in Sydney, at the Olympic Games. In what sport? (Strelb ba from a pistol.)

9. Olga Brusnikina and Maria Kiseleva became the first two-time Olympic champions in synchronized swimming in the history of the Games. What was the name of the musical composition they performed to? (M. P. Mussorgsky. « Night on Bald Mountain».)

8. The 2000 Olympics awards became notorious. Behind the Greek goddess of victory Nike depicted on them is

not the Athenian Parthenon... Who? (Roman Coliseum. )

II ROUND Olympic ABC

How to play: The letters are laid out on the table in alphabetical order. The participant with the most tokens selects a letter and reads the question; if he answers correctly, he receives another token; if he does not answer, he is eliminated from the game. Another participant can answer for him and receive a token. Then another player comes out, etc. The answer must begin with the letter that the player chose. The three players with the most tokens move on to Round III.

A) Over which city was the Olympic flag first raised? (Antwerp, Belgium.)

B) In which city was the Olympic flame lit by a burning arrow shot from a bow? (Barcelona, Spain.)

Q) What were the winners of the Games awarded in Ancient Greece? (Wreath of laurel leaves.)^

D) At the opening of the Olympic Games, the teams are in alphabetical order of the host country. But the team of the same country always marches ahead. Which? (7)?е1<м^

D) What do athletes who take 1st to 8th place at the Olympics in individual and team competitions receive? (IOC diplomas.)

E) For the first time in history, an active athlete was awarded the highest award of our country. For outstanding achievements in sports, courage and heroism, she was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation. Who is she?(Love E

mountain, skier.) G) A body created to determine athletes or teams worthy of an award.

(Jury.) 3) Medal for the highest sports achievement.

(Golden.) I) The king of the small Greek state of Elis, with whose name the establishment of athletic games like Olympia is associated? I

K) History has brought to us the name of the winner of the Games of 776 BC. e. - a fast-footed cook from Elis. The history of the Olympic movement begins with this name. Name it.(Norab,

otherwise Coraibos.), K) In what city is the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee located?

(Lausanne Switzerland.),)

M) Mascot of the Olympic Games in Moscow. (Misha Bear

H) When the Roman emperor, known for his cruelty, wished to personally participate in the competition, he went to the start of the chariot race in splendid isolation. None of the athletes competed with him, so as not to risk their lives in vain. Having fallen twice, he... nevertheless he arrived at the finish line and was crowned with an Olympic laurel wreath. Who is this? (Nero.)

O) What was the name of the winner of the Games in Ancient Greece? (Olympic.)

P) A mathematician and philosopher from the island of Samos, who left his famous theorem as a “legacy” to schoolchildren around the world, was crowned at the Games with a laurel wreath as a champion in fist fighting. Name it. (Pythagoras.)R) Three-time Olympic champion in figure skating, partner of Alexei Ulanov and Alexander Zaitsev.

(Irina Rodnina.). )

C) A famous swimmer, four-time Olympic champion, who was not wanted to be included in the Olympic team on the grounds that he was “old.” (Vladimir Salnikov T) Hockey goalie, three-time olympic champion,

at the age of 22, recognized as the best goalkeeper in the world, (Vladislav Tretyak.)

U) Punishment for violating the rules of the game. (Removal from the field.)

F) The name of the Roman Christian emperor who banned in 394 AD. e.The Olympic Games as "pagan".

(Theodosius I the Great.) X) Olympic champion of the II, III, IV Winter Olympic Games, Norwegian figure skater, film star who starred in the film “Serena of the Valley of the Sun.” (SonyaHenie.) C) A club that trained Olympic winners - fencers, hockey players, basketball players, volleyball players, etc.And (CSKA

- Central Sports th

arm club And.)

C) An athlete who has won a competition. (Champion.)

Ш) A sport in which Yuri Vlasov broke “American dominance” and set unprecedented world records. (Weightlifting. Barbell.)

E) What were the names of the judges and administrators of the Games in Ancient Greece? (Elladonica.)

Yu) Young athlete (under 20 years old).

Iphitus, the king of Elis, a small Greek state on whose territory Olympia is located, goes to Delphi to consult with the oracle on how he, the king of a small country, can protect his people from war and robbery. The Delphic oracle, whose predictions and advice were considered infallible, advised Iphitus:

"We need you to found Games pleasing to the gods!"

Iphit immediately sets off to meet his powerful neighbor - the king of Sparta.

Lycurgus. Apparently Iphitus was a good diplomat, since Lycurgus decides that Elis should henceforth be recognized as a neutral state. And all the small fragmented states, endlessly at war with each other, agree with this decision. Immediately, Iphit, in order to prove his peace-loving aspirations and thank the gods, establishes “athletic Games that will be held at Olympia every four years.” Hence their name - the Olympic Games. This happened in 884 BC. e.

Thus, a custom was established in Greece according to which, once every four years, at the height of internecine wars, everyone put their weapons aside and went to Olympia to admire harmoniously developed athletes and praise the gods.

The Olympic Games became a national event that united all of Greece, while before and after them Greece was a multitude of disparate states warring among themselves.

Despite its apparent plausibility, this version is disputed. There are also completely different versions. For example, the following:

The idea of ​​holding the Olympic Games is lost in the darkness of centuries, because before the Games were held not only in Olympia. Although the competitions in this sacred place were the most popular and most famous. It can definitely be said that the first reliably known Olympic Games took place in 776 BC. This year is considered to be the starting date. The name of the winner of those Games is even known - Koroibos. The history of the Olympic movement begins with this name. But at the same time, there is information that the Olympics we are talking about now was already the twenty-seventh. Thus, the history of the Games is too ancient to accurately know its origins.

Only people of Greek origin could become Olympians, and only free people and only men. The competition was unusually hard and, most importantly, fair. The winners, Olympians, were awarded an olive branch or a laurel wreath. Immortal glory awaited them not only in their hometown, but throughout the Greek world. In addition to Coroibos, the names of several other great champions have reached us. For example, Milo, who became almost legendary, from the city of Crotona (it was a Greek colony in southern Italy). He was a student of the great Pythagoras, which in itself says a lot. At the Olympic Games, Milo won seven laurel wreaths, all in wrestling competitions. The family of a certain Diagoras from the island of Rhodes - he himself, his sons, and then his grandchildren competed at the Olympic Games for more than eighty years! They took part in twenty Games! And they won nine laurel wreaths for their sunny island. And yet the most famous hero of the ancient Olympic competitions was Leonidas - also from Rhodes. This great athlete won running competitions twenty times!

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"impossible - once enlightened,
and those who have tasted the heavenly gift... and those who have fallen away, to renew again with repentance,
when they again crucify the Son of God within themselves and mock Him” (Heb. 6:4-7).

“What has been is what will be; and what has been done is what will be done” (Eccl. 1:9)

Oleg Likhachev

The Olympic Games came from the name of a mountain range in northern Thessaly, considered the seat of twelve major gods: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Hephaestus, Aphrodite and Ares.

The first Olympic Games took place in 776 BC in the north-west of the Peloponnese in the village of Olympia, named after Mount Olympus - the seat of the so-called gods. Olympia with the “sacred olive grove” along the Alpheus River at the confluence of the Kladei stream was originally built as the temple of Zeus and the Olympic Games dedicated to him.

The appearance of the Olympic Games dates back to the 9th century BC. e. According to legend, Iphitus, the king of Elis, a small Greek state on whose territory Olympia is located, goes to Delphi to consult with the oracle on how he can protect his people from war and robbery. The Delphic oracle, whose predictions and advice were considered infallible, advised Iphit: “You need to found Games pleasing to the gods!” Iphit goes to meet with his powerful neighbor, the king of Sparta Lycurgus, and Lycurgus decides that from now on Elis should be recognized as a neutral state. And all the small Greek states that are at war with each other agree with this decision. Immediately, Iphit, in order to prove his peace-loving aspirations and thank the gods, establishes “athletic Games that will be held at Olympia every four years.” Hence their name - the Olympic Games. This happened in 884 BC. e.

According to Greek mythology, the supreme god Kronos was defeated in battle by his son Zeus, after which Zeus shared dominion over the entire world with his brothers Poseidon and Hades, whom he freed. Zeus received supreme power over gods and people, Poseidon became the ruler of the seas, and Hades became the king of the underworld. In this myth there is a direct analogy to the eternal struggle with God of the devil, who seized power in the world.

Olympic competitions were held every four years, during the “holy month”, which began on the first new moon after the summer solstice. The center of ancient Olympia was the Temple of Zeus. Inside it was a 12-meter statue of Olympian Zeus.

Nearby there was an administrative building - Bouleuterion, where the Supreme Council of Hellas met. Here, in front of the statue of Zeus Horkios, judges and athletes took an oath. The Olympic treasuries contained wealth presented to Zeus during sports celebrations. Not far from the building was the Portico Echo - a colonnade 100 meters long. It got its name due to the fact that the name of each Olympian - the winner of the competition - was proclaimed there seven times. There were also temples to Gaia, the mother of Zeus, and Hera, his wife. Nearby were also the gymnasium square and the monumental building of the palaestra. On the first day of the Olympics, sacrifices were made to Zeus and other gods and a solemn torchlight procession was held in honor of Zeus and Hera. The main ritual of this satanic cult was the solemn lighting of fire on the sacrificial altar of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. This ritual symbolizes the transfer of fire to people from the god-fighting titan Prometheus, who stole fire from Olympus.

March 25, 2004

The Olympics always ended with oplitodromia - running in military equipment with weapons in hand. This type of competition was considered symbolic - it was after it that the ban on military actions ended.

God gave a covenant to His people, saying: “... be careful not to enter into an alliance with the inhabitants of the land into which you will enter, lest they become a snare among you. Destroy their altars, break down their pillars, cut down their [sacred] groves. for you must not worship any god other than the Lord; because His name is Zealot; He is a jealous God” (Ex. 34:10-17). The Lord does not tolerate infidels and double-minded worshipers of other gods, who are demons. Those who betray God and worship other gods are fornicators, and they are punished by death.

Let us remember how the Jews retreated: “When Seleucus died and Antiochus, nicknamed Epiphanes, received the kingdom, then Jason, brother of Onias, sought the leadership... When the king gave his consent and he received power, he immediately began to persuade his fellow tribesmen to Hellenic morals... violating legal institutions, he introduced customs that were contrary to the law. He deliberately built a school for the physical exercise of young men under the fortress itself and, having attracted the best of the young men, brought them under the shameful cover.

Thus, a tendency towards Hellenism and a rapprochement with other tribes appeared as a result of the exorbitant wickedness of Jason, this atheist, and not the high priest, so that the priests ceased to be zealous for serving the altar and, despising the temple and not caring about the victims, hastened to take part in the games of the palaestra that were against the law when called upon thrown disc. They did not value domestic honor; only Hellenic honors were recognized as the best. For this they suffered a difficult visit, and the very ones with whom they competed in their lifestyle and wanted to be like them in everything became their enemies and tormentors; for

It is impossible to act wickedly against the Divine laws without punishment” (2 Macc. 4:7-18).

Here's the latest news: “A religious center for followers of different religions will open in the Athens Olympic Village on Sunday (August 1, 2004).

According to the organizers of the Olympics, the center with a total area of ​​more than five hundred square meters will be adapted for followers of various religions. Separate premises are provided for Muslims, Jews and Christians of the three main faiths - Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant. About eighty “ministers of worship” - priests, pastors, imams and rabbis - will be at the disposal of athletes who wish to pray before the competition.

There will also be special nutrition programs for religious athletes in the Olympic Village. Muslims will be offered a special menu without pork, and Jews will be offered kosher food.”

Tell me, to whom and for what will pagans who consider themselves believers pray in this center?

“After two years had passed, the king sent a tax chief to the cities of Judah, and he came to Jerusalem with a large crowd; he cunningly spoke to them words of peace, and they believed him; but he suddenly attacked the city and struck it with a great defeat, and destroyed many of the people of Israel; He took spoils from the city and burned it with fire, and destroyed its houses and its walls all around; and they took captive their wives and children, and took possession of the cattle... His sanctuary was desolate like a desert, his holidays turned into mourning, his Sabbaths into reproach, his honor into humiliation... King Antiochus wrote to his entire kingdom, so that everyone should be one people and so that everyone leaves his own law. And all the nations agreed according to the king’s word. And many of Israel accepted his idolatry, and sacrificed to idols, and profaned the Sabbath. The king sent letters through messengers to Jerusalem and to the cities of Judah, so that they would follow the laws foreign to this land, and so that burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings would not be allowed in the sanctuary, so that they would mock the Sabbaths and holidays and desecrate the sanctuary and the saints, so that they would build altars , temples and temples of idols, and sacrificed swine meat and unclean cattle, and left their sons uncircumcised, and desecrated their souls with all uncleanness and abomination, so that they would forget the law and change all the decrees. And if anyone does not do according to the word of the king, he shall be put to death... On the fifteenth day of Haslev, the one hundred and forty-fifth year, they built the abomination of desolation on the altar, and in the cities of Judah they built altars around, and in front of the doors of the houses and in the streets they burned incense and books the laws that they found, they tore them apart and burned them with fire; Whoever was found to have the book of the covenant and who kept the law was, by order of the king, put to death. With such violence they dealt with the Israelites who came every month to the cities. And on the twenty-fifth day of the month, making sacrifices on the altar that was above the altar, they, according to this commandment, killed the wives who had circumcised their children, and hung their babies by their necks, plundered their houses and killed those who circumcised them. But many in Israel remained firm and strengthened themselves, so as not to eat unclean things, and chose to die, so as not to be defiled by food and not to violate the holy covenant - and they died. And there was very great wrath upon Israel."(1Macc.1:29-64).

Remember what he did in 394 AD. the pious Roman Emperor Theodosius I, who was a zealous supporter of Christianity! He banned the Games as a pagan religion disgusting to God. He ordered the Greek gods of Olympus to be thrown off their pedestals and banned the Olympic Games. But since competitions continued to be held at the Olympic Stadium even after this decree, the next Roman Emperor Theodosius II in 426 ordered the destruction of the Temple of Zeus and the burning of Olympia. The order was carried out, and the era of the ancient Olympic Games ended. The earthquakes that occurred later completely destroyed ancient Olympia.

After this, the Games were not held for one and a half thousand years!

The wicked emperor Nero, known for his numerous atrocities against Christians, also took part in the Olympic Games. In order to have time to better prepare, he moved the competition from 65 to 67.

Shamelessness, ugliness, bestiality - this is what the Hellenic system of physical education, or ancient gymnastics, is. It involved physical exercise in the nude. The word "gymnastics", or more precisely, humnastics, comes from the Greek word for "naked". The pagan Hellenic cult of freedom of sensuality did not provide for such a thing as shame.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, I will destroy thy horses from among thy midst, and destroy thy chariots, I will destroy the cities of thy land, and destroy all thy fortifications;

When the Olympic Torch Relay took place in New York on June 19, 2004, the torch was carried on a boat past the statue of the Babylonian harlot Liberty, also holding a torch in her hand. This was a sign that "the Promethean fire of freedom of wickedness, which began to burn from America in 1776, passed through the world and returned back."

God will carry out His Judgment on the Harlot. Comaneci's "Gymnast" lowered into Times Square with a torch in her hand is the final sign of the coming retribution.

Amen.

Oleg Likhachev

Press service of the United Fatherland

The name of the games comes from the city of Olympia. The source of origin of the tradition of holding them has not been precisely established. There are several theories, some of them related to the legends and myths of ancient Greece. One of the legends tells about the young man Pelops, his love for the beautiful Hypodamia and her cruel father, King Oenomaus. Having defeated Oenomaus in an equestrian competition by cunning, Pelops celebrated his victory with a sports festival at Olympia. Another legend says that Zeus organized a competition in honor of his victory over his father, Kronos. The name of the famous Hercules is also mentioned in connection with the occurrence of the Olympic Games.

The origin of the games also has historical confirmation. In 884 BC. e. Iphitus, king of the small Greek state of Elis, fearing an invasion of his small country, proposes that Elis become a neutral state. And the athletic games, held in Olympia every four years, were supposed to become a symbol of peace.

In ancient Greece, games were not only a sporting event, but also a religious, cultural, and spectacular event. During the games, a sacred truce was declared: all hostilities ceased.

At the end of the 19th century, French public figure Pierre de Coubertin proposed restoring the tradition of holding the Olympic Games, which had not been held for more than 14 centuries. And in 1896, a significant event took place in Athens - the Olympic Games.

A lot of time has passed since then, a lot has changed. In August 2008, the Summer Olympic Games will be held in Beijing. We will see the symbol of the games - five multi-colored rings, a burning Olympic flame. Athletes from many countries, different nationalities and religions will come together to take part in what is truly “the most peaceful and friendly meeting of all the peoples of the world”, because according to the Olympic Charter they “unite amateur athletes of all countries in fair and equal competition. There shall be no discrimination against countries or individuals on racial, religious or political grounds.”

Origin of the Olympic Games

The Olympic Games, also called the “Games of the Olympics,” are the largest and oldest international sports competitions, held every four years. Their history begins in Ancient times. In Ancient Greece, sports competitions were a big holiday about the origin of which legends and myths have reached us. The most ancient legend is mentioned in the work of the ancient Greek poet Ovid “Metamorphoses” and tells about chariot competitions that King Oenomaus organized, promising to marry his beautiful daughter to the one who could overtake him. Many young men lost their lives in these competitions, until the cruel king was defeated by cunning, in love with his daughter, Pelops. According to legend, in honor of his victory he introduced a new holiday.

The main idea of ​​the competition was a truce, declared for the entire duration of the Games. It is not known exactly when this tradition began; the first document talking about it dates back to 776 BC. but it originated much earlier.

Almost twelve centuries after the first documentary mention, the Games were banned for religious reasons by the Roman Emperor Theodosius I. Their revival occurred many years later, at the end of the 19th century.

Initially, the idea to revive the Olympic Games appeared after sports facilities were discovered at archaeological excavations in 1766. Ancient culture seemed to European society an interesting, beautiful world, some details of which would be excellent to restore, so German archaeologists continued excavations a century later.

French public figure, Baron Pierre de Courbetin became interested in the Olympic Games for two reasons. Due to the fact that, in his opinion, the reason for the loss in the Franco-Prussian War was the poor physical training of French soldiers, as well as because of grief over the low interest of young people in international relations.

At the international congress at the Sorbonne, which lasted several days, his ideas were “received with a bang” and it was decided that the first modern Olympic Games would be held in Greece, the birthplace of this tradition. To organize the competition, a committee was created, which today has become one of the most respectful organizations, whose corporate website is visited daily by thousands of users from all over the world - the International Olympic Committee.

The first modern Olympic Games were a success, despite the small number of participants - only 14 countries represented by 241 athletes. Greek representatives even offered to host all subsequent Olympic Games there, but the IOC’s decision was to change the venue every four years.

There is much uncertainty about the origins of the ancient Olympic Games. But what is definitely known is that the birthplace of the Olympic Games is Ancient Greece, and more specifically the Olympia sanctuary, which is located in the west of the Peloponnesian Peninsula. Here in the valley of the Alpheus River, at the very foot of Mount Kronos, the flame of the modern Olympic Games is still lit. This is where it all started...

Many legends and myths have come down to us about the origin of the Olympic Games, the characters of which were gods and heroes.

  • Legend one. When the mighty Zeus the Thunderer defeated his father Kronos, who devoured his own children and was absolutely merciless, in a mortal battle. Zeus freed them and ordered the games, which were called the Olympic Games, to be held in honor of this event.
  • Legend two. This legend says that the Olympic Games were invented and organized by the son of Zeus, Hercules, who performed twelve legendary feats. In honor of one of these feats, the Olympic Games began.

A very interesting detail of this legend is known. It lies in the fact that Hercules measured the running distance with his own feet, which was 600 feet. This is how a common measure of length appeared in Greece, which was called “stadia”. From this name the word “stadium” known today arose. If we convert this measurement into modern units, it turns out that the running distance was 192 meters and 27 centimeters.

Legend has it that for a long time athletes identified winners only in this type of competition, until Hercules introduced other disciplines. One of them is pankration, a rather harsh sport that combines fist fighting and wrestling.

  • Legend three. This legend tells that the Olympic Games were established in honor of the victory of Pelops, the grandson of the great Zeus the Thunderer, over the king of the city of Pisa, Oenomaus, in horse-drawn chariot competitions. In gratitude for the victory, Pelops erected a sanctuary at Olympia. There he made sacrifices. And also, most importantly, he established the Olympic Games.

Legend has it that thanks to Pelops, the Olympic Games became traditional and were held every four years. During the Olympic Games, universal peace was concluded throughout the territory of Ancient Hellas. The most severe punishment awaited the violator of this sacred truce.

The Olympic Games were held for about 1100 years until they were banned by Emperor Theodosius m for religious reasons in 394 AD. Their revival began only in 1892.

On June 23, 1894, the International Congress of Amateur Athletes made an important decision: to revive the Olympic Games and establish an International Olympic Committee, which would be responsible for the management, organization and conduct of the modern Games. And in April 1896, the long-awaited Olympics was held in Athens, in which 311 athletes from 13 countries took part. Athens has fully revived the true spirit of the Olympics and the long-lost Olympic values. The revived Olympic Games restored Greece to a once-broken thread and reconnected it to the classical tradition and Olympic origins of antiquity.

Sources: www.saptz.ru, olympichistory.info, sportbox.by, www.junior.ru, nsportal.ru

Contents of the article about the ancient Olympic Games in Greece:

  1. Beginning of the Olympic Games
  2. Participants in the Olympic Games in ancient Greece
  3. Dawn of the Olympic Games
  4. Sunset of the Olympic Games
  • The tradition of holding the Olympic Games has now been revived. The first Olympic Games of our time were held in the 19th century, and at the moment they are considered the most prestigious world sports competitions.

Beginning of the Olympic Games

The first Olympic Games in ancient Greece

The very first Olympic Games in ancient Greece were held in 776 BC. All subsequent games were held once every four years. From that moment on, records of the winners of the games began and the order of their conduct was established. The Olympics began every leap year, in the month of the ceremony, corresponding to the modern period of time from late June to mid-July.

History has preserved a large number of versions that justify the origin of the tradition of holding these sports competitions. Most of these versions take the form of legends, one way or another connected with the gods and heroes of Ancient Hellas. For example, the first place in the list is occupied by the legend according to which the king of Elis named Iphitus went to Delphi, where he received a message from a priestess of Apollo. The people of Elis by this time were exhausted by the constant armed rivalry of the Greek city-states, and therefore the gods ordered sports competitions and athletic festivals to be held.

The participants of the Olympic Games lived on the outskirts of Altis, where a month before the opening of the competition they trained in the palaestra and gymnastics. This tradition became the prototype of the Olympic village that takes place in modern games. The costs of living for athletes in Olympia, preparing for competitions and various religious ceremonies were borne either by the athletes themselves - participants in the games, or by the city from which they competed.

Dawn of the Olympic Games

There is a reliable historical fact that during the Olympic Games any military operations ceased. This tradition was called ekeheriya, according to which the warring parties were obliged to lay down their arms. It was also forbidden to carry out court cases, and executions were postponed until later. Violators of the ekeheria rules were punished with a fine.

Types of Olympic Games in Ancient Greece

The primary, and apparently the most popular, sport included in the program of the ancient Olympic Games was running. There is even information that an ancient king named Endymion arranged a running competition among his sons, and the winner received a kingdom as a reward.
There were several types of running competitions. First of all, it was an analogue of a modern sprint, a short distance run - actually from one end of the stadium to the other. The distance was 192 meters and was called the “Olympic stage”. Athletes competed completely naked in these competitions. Distance running was the very first and only competition in the history of the Olympic Games and remained so until the thirteenth Olympics. Starting from the fourteenth, the so-called “double run” was added to the competition. The athletes had to run from one end of the stadium to the other, then run around a pole and return to the starting point. Long running was added to the program of the fifteenth Olympic Games in addition to the above running competitions. Initially it included seven stages, but in subsequent years the length of the distances changed. Runners would run a stage, run around a pole, return to the start, and turn back around another pole.

In 520 BC, during the 65th Olympiad, another type of running competition appeared - the “hoplite race”. The athletes ran two distances in full armor - they wore a helmet, leggings and a shield. In later Olympics, only the shield was left among the weapons.
Also among the types of the Olympic Games in ancient Greece were martial arts. It should be noted that the death of an athlete during fights was not something special, and even a dead fighter could be declared the winner.
Starting from the 18th Olympics, wrestling was included in the program of the games. It was forbidden to strike; fighting could only be done by pushing. There were two main positions - standing and on the ground. In Greek there were many names for various techniques.

After five Olympics, fist fighting appeared among martial arts. It was forbidden to kick the enemy, make grabs or trip him. Hands were wrapped with special straps, making this type of competition one of the most dangerous. Sources that have survived to this day vividly describe the damage caused by such blows. The fighter who won without receiving a single blow from the enemy deserved special respect. If the wrestlers were tired, they were given a break to rest. If there was no way to identify the winner, then a specific number of blows was assigned, which the opponents inflicted on each other in turn, and it was impossible to defend themselves. The loser was the one who voluntarily gave up by raising his hand.
In 648 BC, during the 33rd Olympiad, the so-called “pankration” appeared. This type of martial arts included kicking and punching. Chokeholds were allowed, but eye gouging and biting were prohibited. At first it was a competition only for adult men, and then, starting from the 145th Olympics, pankration was introduced for young men.

Later, pentathlon was added to the games program. In ancient Greece, this sport was called "pentathlon". From the name you can guess that this type of sports consisted of five different sports - they began with the long jump, then there was one-distance running, discus throwing, and javelin throwing. The fifth sport was wrestling. To date, no exact information has been preserved about how the winner was determined. It is believed that all participants were divided into pairs and competed with each other. In the end, there was only one, the last couple left. He was distinguished by his special long jump technique. The athletes jumped straight from the spot without running up, and dumbbells were used to increase the distance of the jump.
Horse racing also took place among the Olympic competitions. It is noteworthy that women participated in them, since the winner was not the riders, but the owners of animals and chariots. Over the years of the existence of the Olympic Games, horse racing has changed. At first it was quadriga racing, then, starting from the 33rd Olympics, horse racing was added to it. In 1993, two-horse chariot racing appeared. The competitions were divided into two categories - young stallions competed in one, and adult horses in the other.

How the Olympic Games took place in ancient Greece

The start date of the event was set by a commission specially created for this purpose, which was then announced by special people called spondophores to residents of other Greek states. Athletes arrived in Olympia a month before the start of the games, during which time they had to train under the guidance of experienced coaches.
The competition was observed by Helladonic judges. In addition to the judicial function, the duties of the Helladonians included the organization of the entire Olympic festival.

Before performing in front of the people, each athlete had to prove to the judges that during the ten months before the start of the games, he had been intensively preparing for the competition. The oath was taken near the statue of Zeus.
Initially, the duration of the Olympic Games was 5 days, but later it reached a month. The first and last days of the games were dedicated to religious rituals and ceremonies.
The public learned about the sequence of a certain type of competition using a special sign. Those wishing to take part in it had to determine their order by drawing lots.

Winners of the Olympic Games in ancient Greece

The winners of the Olympic Games in ancient Greece were called Olympians. They became famous throughout Greece, they were greeted with honor in their homeland, since the athletes represented not only themselves at the games, but also the city-state from which they came. In the event of a three-time victory at the games, a bust was erected in Olympia in honor of such an athlete. The winner was rewarded with an olive wreath, and he also stood on a pedestal, the function of which was performed by a bronze tripod, and took palm branches in his hands. They also gave a small cash bonus as a reward, but he received the real benefits upon returning home. At home, he received many different privileges.
Milo of Croton is considered one of the most famous Olympians. He won his very first victory in wrestling in 540 BC, during the 60th Olympiad. Later, between 532 and 516, he won five times, and only at the age of 40 he lost to a younger athlete, failing to receive Olympian status for the seventh time.



A wrestler named Sostratus, originally from Sicyon, won the pankration three times. His secret was that he broke the fingers of his opponents, for which he received the nickname Thumb.
There are known cases when deceased participants became winners. For example, Arichion of Philageia was strangled during a duel, but his opponent declared defeat because he could not bear the pain of a broken toe. To the applause of the audience, the corpse of Arikhion was awarded the winner's olive wreath.
Artemidor, who arrived from Thrall, is famous for the fact that he was supposed to participate in the competitions of the youth group, but could not tolerate the insult of an adult pankrationist wrestler. After which Artemidor moved to the adult group and became a champion.

Among the famous runners we can mention the Rhodes athlete Leonidas. Over the course of four Olympics, he became a leader in various running competitions.
Astil from Crotona became a six-time Olympic champion. He is also famous for the fact that at the first competitions he represented Croton, and at the next two another city - Syracuse. In retaliation, the residents of Croton turned his home into a prison and destroyed the memorial statue.
In the history of the Olympic Games there have been entire dynasties of winners. For example, Poseidor’s grandfather named Diagoras and his uncles also became champions - Olympians.

In addition, many ancient thinkers known in our time were not hindered by their mental activity from participating in various sports competitions. For example, the famous Pythagoras was not only strong in mathematics, but in his time was better known as a champion in boxing, that is, fist fighting, and the thinker Plato broke the foundations not only in philosophy, but also in the arena, becoming a champion in pankration.

Sunset of the Olympic Games

In the second century BC. The Olympic Games began to lose their great significance, turning into competitions on a local scale. This is due to the conquest of ancient Greece by the Romans. Several factors are considered to be the reasons for the loss of former popularity. One of them is the professionalism of athletes, when the games have essentially become a collection of victories on the part of Olympians. The Romans, under whose rule Greece came, perceived sports solely as a spectacle; they were not interested in the competitive spirit of the Olympics.



Who banned the Olympic Games in ancient Greece

The end of the thousand-year history of the Olympic Games was a consequence of a change in religion. They were closely intertwined with the Greek pagan gods, so their implementation became impossible after the adoption of the Christian faith.
Researchers associate the ban on the Olympic Games with a certain Roman emperor, Theodosius. It is he who publishes in 393 AD. a set of laws prohibiting paganism, and the Olympic Games in accordance with these new legislative acts become completely prohibited. Only centuries later, in 1896, the tradition of holding Olympic sports games was revived.