Ancient Olympics y Ancient Greeks dedicated the games to their God, Zeus, as a religious festival Women were not

allowed to participate and refused entry y Original games held in Olympia, Greece in the year 776 BC (over 2700 years ago) y Only one event: Sprinting (Otherwise known as the Stade ) y Wreath of olive branches was placed on the winner s head y Olive tree was a sacred tree of Athens, Greece y Every Olympiad (four-year period), for 1,170 years, the Greeks held an Olympics y As time went on, more sports were included: races, wrestling, boxing, long jump, javelin throw, discus throw, equestrian events horse or chariot races y Games were banned by Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II in the year AD 394 Modern Olympics Swifter, Higher, Stronger y 1500 years later, Pierre de Frdy, revived the Olympic games y An all-male Olympic games was held in 1896 in Athens. y First winter Olympics were in 1924 in Chamonix, France Olympic flag: y Designed in 1913. Five rings: Blue, yellow, black, green and red represent the five parts of the world that joined in the Olympics: Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe. Olympic flame: y Tradition to light the flame during the games, the flame symbolizes the death and rebirth of Greek heroes. The first torch relay occurred in the 1936 Berlin games. y A new flame starts in the ancient Olympic stadium in Olympia, Greece. A mirror is used to focus the Sun rays. The torch tours Greece, then it is taken to the country where the games will be held. The torch is carried across the country through various modes of transport. The last runner uses the torch to light the large Olympic torch which burns throughout the games. The flame is extinguished during the closing ceremony. Extra info: http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/mediterranean/OlympicGames.html http://library.thinkquest.org/19317/htm/first.htm