In my previous speech about the Olympic Games, I introduced the topic and gave a brief history including the first recorded Olympics, how the International Olympic Committee was formed, and the first Winter Olympic games. In this speech, I am going to cover a little more history and some records that have contributed to the athletic showcase we know today.
Main Points: * When I think of the Olympics, one of the first images to pop into my head is the Olympic rings. The interlocking colors of blue, yellow, black, green, and red presented on a white background symbolize peace and unity among the competing nations. * According to the historian Karl Lennantz, the logo of the Olympic rings was designed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics as I mentioned in my previous speech. He was inspired from, of all things, an ad in a magazine for bike tires which were arranged in the pattern seen in the logo today. * This symbol was inaugurated as the official logo for the Olympic games in June of 1914. * Most of the world associates this symbol with the excitement and the prestige of the Olympic games. * Perhaps the other symbol of significance at the Olympics is the gold medal. * According to Time Magazine author Claire Suddath, the history of the giving champions a medal does not start with the first Olympics in 776 BC, but rather during the first modern Olympics in 1896. * Winners were given a silver medal. * According to Heather Wheeler, the first actual gold medal was presented during the 1904 Olympic games is St. Louis, MO. * Today’s gold medals are actually silver covered in gold and they almost always depict Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. * All this talk of the medals and awards leads me to talk about the records and achievements that some Olympic athletes have accomplished. * During the 2008 Beijing Olympic games, history was made in the pool. * In the sport of swimming, Michael Phelps broke Mark Spitz’ long standing record, according to an article about Phelps on Olympic.org. * Phelps earned his eighth Olympic gold in a single Olympic games, breaking Spitz’ previous record of seven, in the 4x100 freestyle relay. This relay was composed of Phelps, Garrett Weber-gale, NC State’s own Cullen Jones, and the oldest member of the US Olympic swim team, Jason Lezak. * Again, during the 2012 London Olympics, Phelps surpassed another record. This time for the most career Olympic gold medals. * He topped Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina’s record when he received his 18th Olympic gold, the most won by an Olympic athlete. * In total, Phelps has 22 Olympic medals.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Olympic athletes and the games themselves inspire people all over the world. So in 2014 when you watch the winter Olympics, I hope you remember some of the history and facts I have presented to you.
Bibliography
Lennantz, Karl. "Who Made the Olympic Rings?." The New York Times.Web.
"Michael PHELPS | Olympic Athlete | Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Sydney 2000." Olympics | Olympic Medals, Results, Videos, Sports, News | IOC.
Suddath, Claire . "A Brief History Of: Olympic Medals." TIME.com.Web.
"The Olympic Games." History.com. Web.
Wheeler, Heather. "The Olympic Games Timeline." History on the Net Main Page. Web. 1 Feb. 2013.
Bibliography: Lennantz, Karl. "Who Made the Olympic Rings?." The New York Times.Web. "Michael PHELPS | Olympic Athlete | Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Sydney 2000." Olympics | Olympic Medals, Results, Videos, Sports, News | IOC. Suddath, Claire . "A Brief History Of: Olympic Medals." TIME.com.Web. "The Olympic Games." History.com. Web. Wheeler, Heather. "The Olympic Games Timeline." History on the Net Main Page. Web. 1 Feb. 2013.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
There are many factors that shape the modern Olympic movement from 1892 to 2002. The original reason was so people of many people of different races, religions, or genders could come together and compete against each other in various competitions. The Olympics first started in 776 B.C.E. but ended 393 C.E. they later started back up in 1892, but it was a bit different than before. Today, many of the factors that shaped the Olympics reflect what has changed and what has taken place since the last games. Some examples would have to do with women, the economy, and world wars and other region battles.…
- 939 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The Olympics throughout history have been a monumental stepping stone into greatness. The Olympics have been recorded all the back into mythological times. The first Olympiad of the modern day was held in Athens, Greece in 1896 (Addis Pg.2). Since the modern Olympics, most countries have participated in or have heard of it. Every game is different but the most politically different games were the games of 1936, hosted in Berlin, Germany.…
- 630 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The first Olympics are thought to have been traced all the way back to 776 BC. In origin, The Olympic games were a tribute to the gods like Zuce. These games took place on the Plains of Olympia. Back then there was only one game, the Stadion. This was a foot race that resembles the modern 200M races. The games were clearly much smaller in contras to our current 25+ events for just summer Olympics alone. Now the Olympics are hosted in country’s all around the world, changing the location every time the games are held.…
- 658 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The Olympics have shown over the decades that they can be affected by political conflict. However, it seems that this is the point of the Olympics, to illustrate national pride, by competition. Bloodshed should not be the way for pride of one’s country to be shown, but it should be shown through competition, in the words of the founder of the modern Olympic movement, Pierre de Coubertin(1). The games have been used as a weapon for denouncing a country’s sportsmanship, such as in 1956 when Arnold Lunn, a British Olympic team official accused the Nazis of cheating in the 1936 Olympic games that were held in Germany. He went on to allege that the competitors of Germany went onto the course while it was closed to athletes. Though the fact that they were trying so hard to practice, could be an example of the importance placed on the games at the time before war period. This is implied by the statement by Arnold Lunn that victory was the only thing that mattered to the Nazis, and how they achieved it did not matter as long as they did(3). The use of the Olympics to show off one’s country was further demonstrated during the Cold War, when the United States and the Soviet Union were itching to outdo one another. Bob Matthias gives insight through an interview into the United State’s yearning to win over Russia. The competitor told of the spirit of winning throughout the team, even in the athletes that were sure to win for the United States(4). This is a stark contrast to an information guide provided by the Soviet Union regarding the olympics being held in Moscow that year. It tells of seeking peace with the U.S., and how…
- 1191 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
The Olympics were revived in 1896 thanks to Pierre de Coubertin. Since its reemergence in 1896, the modern Olympic movement has been shaped and influenced politically through the tensions between countries, economically through financial gain opportunity, and socially by promoting women’s rights. Another document I would like to have seen would be one containing a record of third world countries that have attended the Olympics. This document would have shown how wealth effects and shapes the modern Olympics.…
- 874 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
There were many factors that helped shape the Olympic Games from 1892 to 2002. Originally, Olympic Games were conducted in Ancient Greece in hopes of uniting its city-states Athens and Sparta and to promote peace through sports activity. When Olympic Games were resurrected in 1892, they had the same goal of promoting peace in the world. Over time factors such as nationalism, The Cold War, changes in global economy and a rise in feminism facilitated changes in the Olympic Games. However, a great additional document to add would be a personal letter from one of the German athletes or a bar graph before the world wars had taken place.…
- 1089 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
The founder of the modern Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin, believed that the Olympics were the true free trade of the future, that could help increase economics(Doc 1). In 1892, Europe was enduring a lot of political tension, he may have believed that trade could help calm the political tensions and boost the economy (Doc 1). Countries that have been chosen to host the Olympic games, have greatly benefited from it. For example, Japan greatly appreciated their being chosen for the Olympics because, they felt it had helped them recover after their defeat in the World War (Doc 7). The senses of appreciation showed the world that the Olympics gave good exposure to the host country (Doc 5). The amount of viewers of the Olympics has greatly risen from around 100 people in 1980 to about 1,300 people in 2000 (Doc 9). This could be a result of better/more amounts of…
- 580 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
There are many different factors that have shaped the modern Olympic movement from 1892 to 2002. It was originally revived so people of different races could interact with other people without conflict. They wanted to have a temporary time of international peace. This idea is expressed in Document 1. The author, Pierre de Coubertin, explains how the athletes are exported into other lands without any hostility. The author is credible because he is also the founder of the modern Olympic movement. However, many countries were motivated by political, social, and economical reasons. The reasons altered the competitiveness of the Olympics.…
- 732 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The Olympic Games are an event athletes train their entire lives for. What some do not know, however, is that the Olympic Games originated in Greece and were held at Olympia, in Zeus’s honor, as he was the God of all Gods. Although there were several events held in other god’s honors, this is the one that is still around, occurring every four years in different parts of the world. Winning or even placing in the events the Olympic Games host is a great honor for yourself and for your country. This is a prime example of how ancient Greece is still portrayed in these events. Honor and glory were a major part of ancient society; hard work resulting in fame that would last long after you were gone.…
- 974 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The IOC holds additional responsibility as the “keeper” of the Olympic brand, identity and sportsman’s code of ethics and honor. When IOC actions were questioned by corporate sponsors delaying payment, the brand of the Olympic Rings was not enhanced. The rings represent a tradition of good sportsmanship,…
- 1483 Words
- 6 Pages
Good Essays -
According to historical records, the first ancient Olympic Games can be traced back to 776 BC. They were dedicated to the Olympian gods and were held in ancient Olympia. The official Olympic website states that the games continued for nearly 12 centuries, until an Emperor decided in 393 A.D. that the games were like a cult and should be banned. The winner of the games was awarded immediately after the competition. One of the judges would announce the winners name then 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, a herald would announce the name of the Olympic winner, his father's name, and his homeland. Then the judge mentioned a moment ago would place the sacred olive tree wreath, or kotinos, on the winner's head.…
- 597 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
According to the official website for the Olympic games, swimming began far before the creation of the Olympics and, “we know this because cave paintings from the Stone Age depicting swimmers have been found in Egypt” (Olympic.org).…
- 1968 Words
- 8 Pages
Better Essays -
The Olympics automatically portray the Greek “brand” as the origin of their existence. However, Dimitris Papaioannou (creative director for opening ceremony) made sure that Greece’s history and brand was…
- 562 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The most sporty and dynamic event of the year-XXII Olympic Winter Games Anna Hambardzumyan, Yerevan Armenia 05.02.2014 In the sport world one of the most important upcoming events is the winter Olympics of 2014. This year, Russia is opening its doors with the motto of “Hot, cool, yours” for the sport fans, who are eager to enjoy the major international multi-sport beautiful event of the year. Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from 7 to 23 February 2014, in Sochi resort city in the Krasnodar Krai, Russia, with some events taking place in the resort town of Krasnaya Polyana. This will be the first time that the Russian Federation will host the Winter Olympics.…
- 472 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The research topic being raised is the comparison and contrast between the ancient Olympics games and the first modern day Olympic Games of 1896. One needs to look at The Ancient Olympic games features and its’ origin and then see where the first modern Olympics features stand in terms of concluding whether it has evolved or not since the origins of the games and look at how the culture of its’ original creation/purpose has changed.…
- 1641 Words
- 7 Pages
Powerful Essays