Olympic Games 2024 Trivia

 

For over the past century, the world has gathered every four years to compete in the Olympic Games. This spectacle traces its origins back to 776 BCE, when the ancient Greeks competed to honor Zeus. Similar to today’s competitors representing various nations from around the globe, the original participants represented the city-states of Greece.

The first modern games were held in 1896, in Athens, Greece, to honor the Games’ origins. The revival of the Games can be attributed to Pierre de Coubertin from Paris, co-founder and second president of the International Olympic Committee. Pierre wholeheartedly believed in the positive impact of sport, be it physical or mental, individual or collective. He saw the Olympics as a way to bring the world together, much like how the Ancient Games brought Greece together.

The symbol of the Olympics is iconic and instantly recognizable, but did you know the meaning behind the choice of colors? The five colored rings (blue, black, red, yellow, green) and the white background were chosen because every participating country’s national flag contains at least one of those colors. This symbol was first used for the 1920 Antwerp Games.

Almost as iconic are the medals competitors win for placing in their sport: gold for 1st place, silver for 2nd, and bronze for 3rd. In the 1896 Athens Games, there were only two medals: silver for 1st place, and bronze for 2nd. The Ancient Games had no medals at all; the winners instead were given an olive branch twisted to form a crown. This may not seem as impressive as a medal, but the olive branch had a deep religious meaning to the ancient Greeks, as they believed the crown, or wreath, elevated them to divine status like the gods.

Rounding out the Olympic icons is the Olympic flame. Since 1936, a single flame has been carried from Olympia to the host city, representing the spirit of the Games. Modern torches have been built to resist the effects of rain and wind to prevent the flame from going out.

Looking to teach young ones about the Olympic Games? Check out one or more of the titles below!

The Amazing Summer Olympics series 

What Are the Summer Olympics? by Gail Herman

Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles by Michelle Meadows

G is for Gold Medal: An Olympics Alphabet by Brad Herzog

How to Train With a T-Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals by Michael Phelps

The Science Behind Gymnastics by L. E. Carmichael

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