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Curso 2012/2013
The History of the Olympics GAMES
The first Olympics Games The first Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece in 776 BC. In these early games the events were very traditional and included running, javelin throwing, wrestling and boxing. The games were held every four years and were for men only. Women could not compete in them or even watch them. The athletes didn’t wear any clothes and there were no medals or trophies for the winners. The prizes were crowns made of olive leaves. The Olympic flame The Olympic flame is an important symbol of the Games. A few months before the games start, the flame is carried from Greece to the country holding the Olympics. Often it is carried by runners with torches. On the first day of the Olympic Games the flame is used to light a much bigger fire, usually at the centre of the Olympic stadium, and it will burn for as long as the games last. The flag The flag of the Olympic Games is white with five rings: blue, yellow, black, green and red. The rings represent the union of the five continents: Africa, America, Asia, Oceania and Europe. The modern Olympics Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894. The IOC has since become the governing body of the Olympics and the first modern event took place in Athens in 1896. The Games are still held every four years and nowadays there are about 26 Olympic sports which are broken down into different events or disciplines. These include badminton, baseball, basketball, gymnastics, boxing, judo, tennis, football and even beach volleyball. Today, billions of people watch the Olympic Games around the world. Comprehension activities: 1. When were the first Olympic games?
G.T.: LEYENDO EN EL LAIMĂšN
a. 2012 b. 776 BC c. 1894 2. How often do the Games take place? a. Every four years b. Every six years c. Every ten years 3. In the first Games what did the winners receive? a. A javelin b. Nothing c. A crown of leaves 4. Where does the Olympic flame come from? a. Greece b. The UK c. The country that holds the game 5. How many rings are on the Olympic flag? a. Five b. Seven c. Ten 6. What colours are the rings on the Olympic flag? a. Blue, yellow, black, green and purple b. Blue, orange, black, green and red c. Blue, yellow, black, green and red 7. Today, how many Olympic sports are there? a. 26 b. 30 c. 60 8. How many people watch the Olympic games? a. Millions b. Billions c. Trillions 9. Match the beginnings and ends of the sentences. The first games
the Olympic flame.
Curso 2012/2013
G.T.: LEYENDO EN EL LAIMĂšN
The Olympic games take
compete in the events.
Only men could
were held in Greece.
Runners carry
the five continents.
The rings represent
place every four years.
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10. Look up any words you don't understand in the dictionary.
Source: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-for-the-games/history/read/historyolympic-games