TESTS

The Olympic Games in Questions and Answers

1. What is an important symbol of the Olympic Games? The Olympic Games are the worlds number one sporting event. But a chance to win gold and glory isnt all the Games stand for. They are also an important symbol for billions of people around the globe a symbol of hope, peace and friendly co-operation between nations. Physical culture is a component of the culture of humanity. In a healthy body there is a healthy spirit. This aphorism came to us from distant ancestors. The Olympic Games are the sport festival where almost all kinds of sports are present in contrast to world championships, for example. 2. Why are the Games called the Olympics? The Games are called the Olympics because they started in Olympia, Greece. 3. What was Olympia? Olympia was an ancient Greek town. This was the place of the Zeus cult and realization of the Olympic Games. 4. What is Mt. Olympus? Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece (2911 m). In Greek mythology Olympus is the holy mountain where the Greek Gods (with Zeus at the head) lived. Olympus is the meeting or the assembly of the Olympic Gods, too. 5. Who were the Olympians? The Olympians were Greek mythological Gods who lived on Mt. Olympus. They were supposed to be indifferent to the sufferings and emotions of people. Hence, a figurative sense of the world Olympian developed. It means a man who keeps imperturbable calm Olympian calm. Olympians are Olympic competitors, too.

6. Where and when did the original Olympic Games begin? The original Olympic games began in Olympia in Ancient Greece in 776 BC. 7. Who founded the original Olympic games? According to Greek mythology Heracles had already accomplished his twelve labours, had become free from the service for Eurystheus, when he decided to avenge himself on Augeas for he had not given the promised reward to Heracles. His revenge was terrible. After his victory Heracles gathered his forces and all his rich booty, made sacrifices to the Olympic Gods and founded the Olympic Games. Since that time they have been held in the Holy valley which had been planted by Heracles with olive trees dedicated to the goddess Athena-Pallada. 8. How often were the Olympic Games held? The Olympic Games were held every four years. They lasted five days. During this period general peace was declared all over Greece. Before beginning and after competing the Olympic Games plentiful sacrifices were made to Zeus. 9. Who competed in the ancient Olympic Games? Soldiers competed in the ancient games. The early games were limited to men. 10. What was the first competition? The first competition was for foot races. 11. What competitions were classical? Classical competitions were wrestling, javelin-throwing, running, athletics, art competitions and others. 12. How was the main winner honoured? The main winner was crowned with laurels, and that was the highest honour which a Greek could reach. Four years (Olympiad) were called by his name, hymns were sung to honour him. 13. When did the Ancient Olympic Games end? In 394 the Ancient Olympic Games were abolished by order of the Roman emperor Theodosius II to stop this pagan abomination. In 426 Olympia was burnt by order of the emperor. All luxurious buildings in the place where the Olympic Games took place and the temple of Zeus became ruins. Only the excavations of the 19th century (130 statues, about 13,000 bronze items, about 10,000 inscriptions and others were found) gave us the possibility to get the correct picture of former Olympia and Olympic Games. 14. Who founded the Modern Olympics? When? Where? Why? The Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the modern Olympics in Athens in 1896 to reunite the world through sports. 15. What is the principle of the modern Olympic movement? Merely participating in the Olympic Games is a victory in itself. The failure to win a medal should not diminish the honour of having participated in a contest with the worlds best athletes. The principle of the Olympic movement is contained in the words of Pierre de Coubertin: The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well.

16. What is the Olympic Charter? It is the name of the regulations of the Olympic Games. The basics were worked out by Pierre de Coubertin and confirmed by the International Sports Congress in 1894 in Paris. 17. When did women start competing? Women started competing in 1912. 18. Where and when did the Winter Olympic Games begin? The Winter Olympic Games began in Chamonit (France) in 1924. 19. What sports can be on the Olympic Games programme? If in 2025 countries of two-three continents people go in for a definite sport, this sport can be in the Olympic Games programme for women. If in 40 countries of three continents people go in for the sport, this sport can be in the Summer Olympic Games programme for men. These sports are included in the programme of the Olympic Games by the decision of the International Olympic Committee. The programme of the Summer Olympic Games includes track-and-field events, gymnastics, weight-lifting, football, volleyball, basketball, swimming, diving and water polo, wrestling, shooting, yachting, cycling, boxing, horse racing, equestrian sports, fencing, archery, handball, field hockey, judo, modern pentathlon, rowing and canoeing sports, callisthenics, synchronized swimming, and chess. 20. What is the Olympic symbol? Five interlocked rings of blue, black, red (the upper row), yellow and green (the lower row) colours symbolize the five continents united into the Olympic movement. De Coubertin suggested this symbol in 1913 and since 1920 it has been used. 21. What does every ring symbolize? The blue ring symbolizes Europe, the black ring Africa, the red ring America, the yellow ring Asia, the green ring Australia. 22. What is the Olympic flag? The Olympic flag has a white background with no border. In the centre there is placed the Olympic symbol of

five interlocked rings. The Olympic flag appeared in Olympic competition for the first time at Antwerp in 1920. 23. What is the Olympics motto? What does it mean? The Olympics motto is Citius, altius, fortius. These Latin words mean: Faster, higher, stronger. Since 1920 it has been used in the Olympics. 24. What mascots of the Olympic Games do you know? The mascot of Moscow 1980 Olympic Games was bear Misha. The mascot of Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games was a cartoon dog Cobi. The mascot of Athens 2004 Olympic Games for Russian sportsmen was Cheburashka. 25. What is the emblem of the anniversary Athens 2004 Olympic Games? It is the laurel wreath placed on champions heads. 26. What happens at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games? At the opening ceremony there is a parade of all sportsmen of every nation who take part in the Olympic Games. In the front of every team they carry their national flag. Participators wear different beautiful uniforms. Countries-participators enter in alphabetical order. The team of Greece is the first by tradition, the team of the organizing country of the Olympic Games is the last. The chairman of the Olympic Community makes a speech. The Olympic anthem is played. The Olympic flag is raised on the flag pole. The Olympic flame is lit. One of the sportsmen-participants takes an oath on behalf of all the sportsmen to observe all the principles of the competition. One of the judges takes an oath on behalf of all the judges that the judging will be honest and impartial. After the parade a cultural performance takes place. 27. What do you know about the Olympic flame? The Olympic flame has been the traditional attribute of the Olympic Games since 1936. It is set aflame by the suns rays on Mt. Olympus and then it is carried hand-to-hand by relays of runners from the original site of the Olympic Games of Olympia around the world to the solemn opening at the capital of the Olympic Games where it burns in the special bowl in the stadium. As a symbol of peace among men, the flame represents the basic spiritual significance of this classic competition. 28. Where do sportsmen live during the Olympic Games? They live in the Olympic Village. This is a complex of dwelling houses for sportsmen-participators. The building of the Olympic Village is a duty of the city-organizer of the Olympic Games. 29. What are the Olympic awards? Olympic awards are medals. 30. What do the winners of the Olympic Games receive? The first place winner receives a gold medal, the second place winner receives a silver medal and the third place winner receives a bronze medal. 31. What sort of games are the paralympics? Who are these games for? The paralympics is for people with a physical disability. They were first held in Rome in 1960. The athletes take part in 19 different sports. They play tennis and snooker, do judo and weight lifting, bike, swim, run and jump. 32. When did Russia begin to take part in the Olympic Games?

Russia began to take part in the Olympic Games in 1908. 33. Where and when were the 22nd summer Olympic Games held? The 22nd summer Olympic Games were held in Moscow in 1980 (from July 19 to August 3). Many athletes, guests, journalists came to Moscow. It was the first time the Olympic Games were held in our country. 34. What medals did our sportsmen win during the 22nd Olympic Games? Our sportsmen won 80 gold, 69 silver and 46 bronze medals during these Games. 35. What significant event happened on July, 28 during the Olympiad? Why were the stands at the stadium almost empty? It happened because Moscow buried Vladimir Vysotsky. 36. Do you know when and where the Olympic Games took place? I 1896 Athens, Greece II 1900 Paris, France III 1904 Saint Louis, USA V 1912 Stockholm, Sweden VII 1920 Antwerp, Belguim VIII 1924 Paris, France IX 1928 Amsterdam, Netherlands X 1932 New York City, USA XI 1936 Berlin, Germany XIV 1948 London, Great Britain XV 1952 Helsinki, Finland XVI 1956 Melbourne, Australia XVII 1960 Rome, Italy XVIII 1964 Tokyo, Japan XIX 1968 Mexico, Mexico XX 1972 Munich, West Germany XXI 1976 Montreal, Canada XXII 1980 Moscow, Russia XXIII 1984 Los Angeles, USA XXIV 1988 Seoul, South Korea XXV 1992 Barcelona, Spain XXVI 1996 Atlanta, USA XXVII 2000 Sydney, Australia XXVIII 2004 Athens, Greece 37. Why were the Olympic Games VI, XII, XIII cancelled? They were cancelled because of World War I and II. 38. Why arent the Winter Olympic Games held in leap years now? In 1992 the Olympic Committee decided to transfer the Winter Olympic Games from a leap-year in an even year in order not to hold two Games in the same year. By Lyudmila Pechenina, Lik hoslavl, Tver Reg.