the olympic games

1) Look at the words in the box. Which ones do you know? Establish the relation
among them.
ZEUS –GREEK -GOD – HOLD – OLYMPIA – ROMANS – FORBID – PIERRE DE COUBERTIN –
INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING – SUCCESS – TORCH - OLYMPIC FLAME

2) Video: The Olympic Games- History
Watch the video and answer these questions.
a- Why does the presenter say “Zeus is THE Greek God, the big boss”?
b- Where were the parties held?
c- What events took place during these celebrations?
d- Why does Zeus decide to hold the Olympic Games every four years?
e- What happened when the Romans turned up*?
f- Who was Pierre de Coubertin?
g- What did he want?
h- When and where were the first modern Olympic Games held?
3) The Ancient Olympic Games Cloze. Fill in the blanks using the words in the box.
DISCUS - GREECE - STADIUM - TRUCE - RACE - OLIVE
- MARRIED - ZEUS - CHARIOT - MEN
The first known Olympic Games was recorded in around 776 BC in Olympia, a___________________. They were held every 4 years to honour b- _____________, king of
the gods. They were a religious festival and for the month before all the Greek states, who
were often at war, declared a sacred c- __________________ so competitors could travel
safely.
The first Games consisted of only one d-_______________, the “stade” race, which was the
length of the e- ___________. Over the years more running races were added, including
boxing,

wrestling,

f-_________________

racing,

long

jump,

javelin

and

g-

____________________ throwing.
Only young h- _________________ could take part. They had to be free men, and speak
Greek. They usually competed nude, and the prize was a crown of i- ______________ leaves
(a

sign

of

hope

and

peace).

Women

were

not

allowed

to

take

part.

J-

________________women were not even allowed to watch!
4) Read about the Modern Olympic Games. Match the questions with their
corresponding paragraphs.
THE MODERN OLYMPIC GAMES
a- ____________________________________


A French nobleman, Pierre Fredy, the Baron de Coubertin, born in 1863. When he was young,
Coubertin was a very keen sportsman. As he grew older he developed a passionate belief
that sport could encourage peace throughout the world and bring people from all over the
world together.
Coubertin was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games and travelled around the world,
spending his own money, trying to persuade people to revive them. Eventually he managed
to bring together representatives of many different countries in Paris, in 1894, and the
Olympic Movement was begun.
b- _________________________________________________
The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896.
c- _________________________________________________

No! Women began to compete in 1900. For many years there were problems for the women
athletes about what to wear, because it was considered very rude to show any part of the
body or even the shape of the body! Can you imagine trying to run and jump covered from
head to foot in clothes?
d- _________________________________________________
When Baron de Coubertin founded the Olympic Movement he established the International
Olympic Committee (the IOC) to supervise it, in 1894. He himself served as its president for 29
years, and there have been 8 presidents since then. There were originally 14 members but the
Committee has now grown to over 130 members, all of whom must speak either French or
English. Existing members elect new members as required. The IOC is based in Lausanne,
Switzerland.
e- __________________________________________
"The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by
educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic
spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play."
f-

________________________________________


An Olympiad is the period of four years which starts with a summer Olympic Games. Each
Olympiad is counted with Roman numerals, and the year of the Games cannot be changed
(although Games have been skipped out, as in 1916 during the First World War).
g- ____________________________________________
Members of the IOC choose the next venue for the Olympic Games, which must be a city
rather than a country. So, for example, the next Olympics, in 2016, will be hosted by Rio de
Janeiro, rather than Brazil. Any city which wishes to host the Games can put their bid to the
IOC. Only one city from each country can bid, and even putting forward a bid takes a huge
amount of work and is very expensive. It usually takes many years to prepare, and of course
only one city can be successful!

h- _______________________________________
Each country has its own National Olympic Committee (NOC). The NOCs represent their
countries at the Olympic Games and select their own national teams.
i-

________________________________________

Prior to each Games, the Olympic Torch or Flame is lit in Olympia, Greece and brought to the
host city by runners carrying the torch in relay.
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What is the Olympic torch?
Who revived the idea of the Olympic Games?
Who chooses the next host for the Olympic Games, and how?
Did women compete in this first modern Olympic Games?
What is the aim of the Olympic Movement?
When and where were the first modern Olympic Games held?
Who selects each country's team of athletes?
Who supervises the Olympic Games?
What is an Olympiad?