It will soon be a year since the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Behind the hot battles for medals, exciting competitions, colorful closing … But the motto of the Olympic Games is not forgotten. The words "Faster, higher, stronger!" for athletes all over the world, they mean the desire for victory and new records. Where did this motto come from?
History of the Olympic Games
Let's take a quick look at how the Olympic Games came about. They come from ancient Greece, where the famous sports competitions were organized. On the Peloponnese peninsula, in the ancient sanctuary of Olympia, running competitions were held, races on quadrigas, that is, light chariots, in which four horses were harnessed. They subsequently ceased.
They were renewed in the VIII century BC. e. The games were held every 4 years, and at that time a sacred truce was established. The sports included long jump, running, wrestling, pankration, fisticuffs, chariot racing, javelin and discus throwing, and archery. The winner was crowned with an olive wreath. In his homeland, universaladmiration and respect.
In 394, the Olympic Games were banned as pagan by Emperor Theodosius, who professed Christianity. They were long forgotten.
Modern Olympic Games
The world owes the revival of the Olympic Games primarily to Pierre de Coubertin. In 1894, he convened the first meeting of an organization called the International Olympic Committee, at which he proposed to make traditional competitions on the model of ancient Greek competitions. The first games were planned to be held in Paris in 1900, but, at the suggestion of the Greek poet Demetrius Vikelas, they decided that they would be held earlier in Athens. This was supposed to symbolize the connection between the ancient and modern Olympic Games.
The day of April 6, 1896 was the beginning of the first Games of our time. King George I of Greece announced the start of the Olympics, then the Olympic anthem was performed. And since then, the first traditions appeared. One is that the Games are opened by the ruler of the country that hosts the Olympics. The second is the singing of the Olympic anthem during the opening of the Games. And the third is the holding of the Olympics every 4 years, and in different places. This was the decision of the IOC in response to Greece's offer to always host the Games.
In 1924, the first Winter Olympics were held in the French city of Chamonix.
The Emergence of the Olympic Motto
We all know perfectly well what the motto of the Olympic Games sounds like. The words "Faster, higher, stronger" belong to a friend of Coubertin, a priestHenri Dido. It was with this expression that he opened the sports competitions in the college where he worked. In Latin, the expression sounds like "Citius, Altius, Fortius." Coubertin liked this slogan so much that he proposed it as the Olympic motto back in 1894, at the first meeting of the newly created IOC. At the same time, the 1st IOC Bulletin was published, in the heading of which was the now familiar motto of the Olympic Games.
Officially, it was presented only in 1924 at the Olympics in Paris.
The motto of the Paralympic Games is "Spirit on motion". This expression symbolizes the strength of the spirit of disabled athletes who have overcome a physical illness and achieve high victories.
The main thing is not to win, but to participate
This expression is the unofficial motto of the Olympic Games. Many believe that Coubertin said these words, but this is an erroneous opinion.
The appearance of the motto is associated with the Italian marathon runner Dorando Pietri. In 1908, at the Games in London, he was disqualified and stripped of Olympic gold for being helped at the very end of the distance. Far ahead of all rivals, Pietri was so exhausted that on the last leg of the journey he fell several times, and the judges had to help him up.
Pietri's fortitude amazed everyone who saw these dramatic competitions. He received a special cup from the hands of Queen Alexandra. And the American Bishop Talbot, speaking withsermon in London's St. Paul's Cathedral, said that there can be only one winner, but everyone can participate. This is the main lesson of the Olympics.
With the suggestion of Coubertin, this expression in a more aphoristic form has spread throughout the world.
Other symbols of the Olympic Games
Over time, the full symbolism of the Olympic Games has developed. And the motto became part of it. In addition to it, there are the Olympic flag, rings, fire.
As the history of the Olympic Games shows, we can briefly say that most of the symbols appeared during the VII Summer Olympics in Antwerp (1920).
The Olympic rings, intertwined in a special way, symbolize the unity of the five continents. They show that the Games are worldwide. The author of the emblem is Pierre de Coubertin. He also proposed the Olympic flag - a white silk cloth with the image of the Olympic rings.
By the way, the first flag hung over the stadium for only two days. And then he disappeared! A new one was urgently made, which was raised during the opening of the Games until 1988, before the Seoul Olympics. And the mystery of the missing cloth was revealed only in 1997, when the hundred-year-old sports veteran American Priest confessed that he simply stole it. Three years later, he returned the IOC flag.
Very often the image of an olive branch is used together with the rings. This is also an echo of the Olympic Games of antiquity. Then an olive wreath was placed on the head of the winner. Since then, he has been a symbol of victory.
During the opening of the Games, one of the most respected athletes givesOlympic oath on behalf of all participants to fight honestly for victory. And the judges swear to judge objectively and honestly. This echoes the traditions of the ancient Greek Olympic Games.
Olympic Flame
The tradition of lighting the fire of the Olympic Games also comes from ancient Greece, where it was dedicated to the feat of Prometheus. It was revived in 1928. Long before the start of the next games in the temple of Hera in Olympia, one of the main symbols is lit from the rays of the sun. Then the relay race of the transfer of the Olympic flame to the venue of the Olympics begins. Participation in it is very honorable for athletes. After a long journey across all continents, the torch is delivered to the opening ceremony of the Games. It lights the Olympic flame, which symbolizes the opening of the Olympics.
The motto of the Winter Olympics in Sochi
Recently, each of the Olympiads had its own motto. The countries hosting the Games try to keep them short and memorable. The motto of the Olympic Games in Sochi (2014) sounded like "Hot. Winter. Yours".
According to the organizers, this expression capaciously reflects the features of the Sochi Olympics. "Hot" - this is the intensity of passions among the participants and fans, "winter" - the nature of the Games and the traditional idea of Russia as a frosty and snowy country, "yours" - expresses a sense of ownership of everyone who participates in it or watches it.
Emblems and mascots of the Games
Modern Olympic Games are characterized by the fact that it has become a tradition foreach Olympics emblem, which serves as a recognizable symbol of these particular Games. Talismans also appeared along with them. The countries hosting the Olympics try to show their own characteristics in them or use common cliché images of this country. It is not surprising that the Olympic Bear became the symbol of the Moscow Olympics-1980, which was very popular after its end.
The Olympics is a celebration in which peace and sport play a major role. The Olympic Games show that the states of the world can compete not in who has how much money or weapons, but in sporting achievements. It is not for nothing that Olympic medals are a source of pride not only for the winners and record holders of the Games, but also for all residents of the country. As in antiquity, Olympic heroes become national heroes. And the Games held in the country are a great occasion for the unity of all its citizens.
