The Olympics showcase human excellence and spirit, where the world’s best athletes compete for glory and honour. But there’s more to the games than meets the eye. Did you know that the Olympics have a history that spans thousands of years and that they have some weird and wonderful traditions and events? In this blog post, we share 5 facts about the games… On your marks, get set, go!
The first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC in ancient Greece
That’s right, the Olympics are older than you think. The ancient Greeks started the Olympics as a religious festival to honour Zeus, the king of the gods. The games lasted for up to 6 months and featured events like wrestling, boxing, long jump, javelin, discus, and chariot racing. Only free male citizens of Greece were allowed to take part, and the winners got olive wreaths as prizes. The games were held every 4 years until 393 AD when they were stopped by the Roman emperor Theodosius I, who thought they were pagan rituals.
The Olympic torch is a symbol of the ancient and modern games
The tradition of lighting a flame at the Olympics goes back to ancient times when a fire was kept burning throughout the games as a tribute to the goddess Hestia. The modern Olympic torch was introduced in 1928, and since 1936, it’s been carried by a relay of runners from the site of the ancient games in Olympia, Greece, to the host city of the current games. The torch represents the connection and friendship between nations, and the flame symbolises purity and the pursuit of perfection.
The Olympic rings represent 5 continents and the unity of the athletes
The Olympic symbol, made up of 5 interlocking rings of blue, yellow, black, green, and red on a white background, was designed by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, in 1913. The rings represent 5 five continents (Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania) and the colours were chosen because at least 1 of them appeared on the flag of every participating country at that time. The rings express the idea that the Olympic Games bring together athletes from all over the world, no matter their race, religion, or politics.
The Olympic motto and creed inspire the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play
The Olympic motto, ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius, which means ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’ in Latin, was suggested by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894 and adopted in 1924. The motto encourages the athletes to aim for excellence and push their limits in their respective sports. The Olympic creed, was inspired by a speech given by Bishop Ethelbert Talbot at the 1908 London Games. The creed emphasises the values of participation, effort, and respect, which are the core of the Olympic spirit.
The Olympic Games have featured some unusual and discontinued sports
Over the years, the Olympic Games have included some sports and events that may seem strange or surprising today. For example, did you know that motorboat racing, hot air ballooning, and tug of war were once Olympic sports? Or that running deer shooting, duelling pistols, and live pigeon shooting were some of the events that were contested? Some of these sports and events were dropped due to lack of popularity, safety concerns, or ethical issues. Others, such as golf and rugby, have made a comeback after being absent for a long time.
While these are just some of the amazing facts about the Olympics, do you feel like you’re running a marathon in trying to find the insurance company that suits your needs? Why don’t you chat to the team at King Price… We’re sure you’ll find the winning formula and go for gold with the king of insurance. Get a commitment-free quote today by simply clicking here or chatting to us on WhatsApp (0860 50 50 50) and join our kingdom!
Don’t forget to watch the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024. It’ll surely be an awesome event that’ll showcase the best of human achievement and spirit. Go, team South Africa!
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