Olympic Games- the Foremost Sporting Event in the World Olympic Games are a sports event played every two years at international level. A variety of competitions are arranged where thousands of athletes from around the globe take part. The history of this great sporting competition dates back to the 5th century AD. The Olympic Movement categorized the Olympic Games into the winter games, the summer games, the Paralympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games during the 20th and 21st century. The Paralympic Games are organized for after the Olympic Games and these are for disabled athletes. The Youth Olympic Games are for teenagers and these were first held in 2010. The Olympic Charter defines the structure of the International Olympic Committee i.e. the governing body of the Olympic Games. The Olympic flag comprises five interlocking circles of red, blue, yellow, green and black and was introduced in 1920. The Olympic motto means “Swifter, Higher, and Stronger�. Some of the games played in the Summer Olympics are baseball, badminton, basketball, cycling, boxing, diving, soccer, sailing, rowing, hockey, water polo, wrestling, swimming, weightlifting, tennis etc. Games played during the Winter Olympics are skiing, ice hockey, skating, ski jumping, curling, free style skiing, cross country skiing, down hill skiing, A gold medal is presented to each first winner while silver and bronze medals are presented to second and third winners respectively. Victory diplomas are the certificates which are given to some top winners of each sport. The Olympic Flame is lit as a tradition associated with these games. A new flame is lit for every Olympics in the Ancient Olympic Stadium in Olympia, Greece. This flame is taken to the host country where the games are to be held. The flame is carried around the whole host country by people walking, running, scuba diving, riding, and using other means of transport. Actually, a number of torches is carried around the country where these games are held. The large Olympic torch is lit by the last runner carrying the torch. This large torch keeps burning throughout the games. The flame is extinguished at the end of the games during the closing ceremony and a new torch is designed for each Olympics. Nearly all the nations of the world are represented in these games. National and international media coverage provides a chance to unknown athletes to become famous. The host city and country gets an opportunity to showcase their country to the world. The host country organizes and funds the whole event. Over 13000 athletes compete in the Summer and Winter Olympics and over 400 events take place. Numerous challenges are faced while organizing this mega event. Some of the major challenges are terrorism, bribery of officials, boycotts and doping. The host city is usually chosen seven years ahead of the Olympic Games. The United States got an opportunity to host four Summer and four Winter Olympics and no other nation has hosted as many Olympic games. The next Summer Olympics are scheduled to be held in London in 2012. Women are being especially promoted to participate in these games. Female athletes will be able to take part in all
the men’s sports in the coming Olympics for the first time. Women’s boxing has also been introduced while eliminating gender discrimination. Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many topics, but is currently concerned with the London Olympics 2012 venues. Click a link if you are interested in the 2012 London Olympics Volunteers.