OLYMPIC GAMES — HISTORY, SPORTS, SYMBOLS AND SIGNIFICANCE

PRERNA FOR IAS

Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

OLYMPIC GAMES — HISTORY, SPORTS, SYMBOLS AND SIGNIFICANCE

1. Origin and Revival of the Olympic Games

• The Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece, but the modern Olympic Games were revived under the leadership of Pierre de Coubertin.
• The first modern Olympics were held at Athens, Greece, in 1896, with 14 National Olympic Committees and 241 male athletes competing in 9 sports. (Olympic Library)
• The Games subsequently developed into the world’s largest multi-sport international competition.

2. International Olympic Committee

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the supreme authority of the Olympic Movement.
• It was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland.
• The IOC selects host cities, supervises the Olympic Movement and works with International Sports Federations and National Olympic Committees.

3. Athletics

• Athletics has been part of the modern Olympics since the first Games in 1896.
• It includes running, jumping, throwing, race walking and combined events.
• Events such as the 100 metres, marathon, long jump, high jump, javelin and discus are among the most recognised Olympic competitions.

4. Swimming and Gymnastics

• Swimming has featured in the Olympic programme since 1896 and includes freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and relay competitions.
• Gymnastics was also part of the first modern Olympics.
• Modern gymnastics includes artistic, rhythmic and trampoline disciplines, demanding exceptional strength, balance, flexibility and coordination.

5. Cycling, Tennis and Weightlifting

• Cycling was included in the 1896 Athens Games and today includes road, track, mountain bike and BMX events.
• Tennis also featured in the inaugural modern Olympics, although it was absent for several decades before returning permanently in 1988.
• Weightlifting tests maximum strength through the snatch and clean-and-jerk disciplines.

6. Football, Boxing and Wrestling