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Olympism and “The Games”

Agosto 9, 2007 | Autore: Salvatore | Archiviato in: The Olympic Games

flag.jpg img211716045.jpg“Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.”
(Olympic Charter 2004, Fundamental Principles, paragraph 1)

In these days we are just 1 year far from the Olympic Games of Beijing 2008.               Many many years ago everything started from a place in Greece (Hellas): Olympia!

Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, is in the western part of the Peloponnese which, according to Greek mythology, is the island of “Pelops”, the founder of the Olympic Games. Imposing temples, votive buildings, elaborate shrines and ancient sporting facilities were combined in a site of unique natural and mystical beauty.
Olympia functioned as a meeting place for worship and other religious and political practices as early as the 10th century B.C. The central part of Olympia was dominated by the majestic temple of Zeus, with the temple of Hera parallel to it. The ancient stadium in Olympia could accommodate more than 40,000 spectators, while in the surrounding area there were auxiliary buildings which developed gradually up until the 4th century B.C. and were used as training sites for the athletes or to house the judges of the Games.

The Olympic Games were closely linked to the religious festivals of the cult of Zeus, but were not an integral part of a rite. Indeed, they had a secular character and aimed to show the physical qualities and evolution of the performances accomplished by young people, as well as encouraging good relations between the cities of Greece. According to specialists, the Olympic Games owed their purity and importance to religion.
The Olympic victor received his first awards immediately after the competition. Following the announcement of the winner’s name by the herald, a Hellanodikis (Greek judge) would place a palm branch in his hands, while the spectators cheered and threw flowers to him. Red ribbons were tied on his head and hands as a mark of victory.
The official award ceremony would take place on the last day of the Games, at the elevated vestibule of the temple of Zeus. In a loud voice, the herald would announce the name of the Olympic winner, his father’s name, and his homeland. Then, the Hellanodikis placed the sacred olive tree wreath, or kotinos, on the winner’s head.

The ancient Olympic Games included the following events:

PENTATHLON

The Pentathlon became an Olympic sport with the addition of wrestling in 708 B.C. and included the following:

RUNNING

Running contests included:
- the stade race, which was the pre-eminent test of speed, covering the Olympia track from one end to the other (200m foot race),
- the diaulos (two stades - 400m foot race),
- dolichos (ranging between 7 and 24 stades).

JUMPING

Athletes used stone or lead weights called halteres to increase the distance of a jump. They held onto the weights until the end of their flight, and then jettisoned them backwards.

DISCUS THROW

The discus was originally made of stone and later of iron, lead or bronze. The technique was very similar to today’s freestyle discus throw.

WRESTLING

This was highly valued as a form of military exercise without weapons. It ended only when one of the contestants admitted defeat.

BOXING

Boxers wrapped straps (himantes) around their hands to strengthen their wrists and steady their fingers. Initially, these straps were soft but, as time progressed, boxers started using hard leather straps, often causing disfigurement of their opponent’s face.

PANKRATION

This was a primitive form of martial art combining wrestling and boxing, and was considered to be one of the toughest sports. Greeks believed that it was founded by Theseus when he defeated the fierce Minotaur in the labyrinth.

EQUESTRIAN EVENTS

These included horse races and chariot races and took place in the Hippodrome, a wide, flat, open space.

Questo articolo è stato inserito il 9 Giovedì, Agosto 2007 e archiviato nella categoria: The Olympic Games.
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