History
The Ancient Greek Games The Modern Olympics
• First recorded Olympic Games • Started again in the 19th Century
took place in 776 BC in the (1896) by a Frenchman named
town of Olympia. Pierre de Coubertin.
• Running Races was the only • He believed it could contribute to
world peace and international
sport, but gradually other
friendship.
events were added.
• First modern games held in 1896
• Stopped by a Roman Emperor in the town of Athens
in 393 AD • 1912 women were first allowed
• Were established as a way for to compete
the ancient Greeks to salute • Beginning in 1924 a Winter
their gods. Olympics was included.
• The original Olympics featured • Because of the increasing size of
competition in music, oratory, both Olympics, the Winter Games
and theater performances as were shifted to a different
well. schedule after 1992.
The Olympic Symbol
• Five rings symbolize the
populated continents:
Europe, Asia, Africa,
Australia, North America,
and South America
• It is believed that the colors
of the rings – blue, black,
and red on top, yellow and
green on the bottom –
where chosen because at
least one of them can be
found in the flag of every
country in the world.
• The linked rings symbolize
the coming together of all
the people.
Different Types of Games
• Olympics Summer
Games
• Paralympics Summer
Games
• Olympics Winter Games
• Paralympics Winter
Games
Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay
• Began on October 22, 2009 with a traditional ritual lighting ceremony in Olympia,
Greece (home of the Olympic Flame)
• Will then travel by land, air, and water during a 106 – day journey as it visits more
than 1,000 communities in Canada.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p7PeKPxRHA
The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay in brief:
• Over 100 days in length.
• Over 1,000 communities and places of interest where torchbearers will carry the
Olympic Flame.
• Nearly 200 celebrations hosted by communities in every province and territory.
• Approximately 90 per cent of Canada’s population will be within a one-hour drive
of experiencing the Olympic Flame.
• Over 45,000 kilometers will be travelled.
• Extensive tour of the North including a planned visit to Alert, Nunavut, the
northernmost permanently inhabited community in the world.
• 12,000 people will have the honor of being an Olympic Torchbearer and will help
carry the flame to Vancouver, a majority of whom will be selected through public
programs.
Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay
View interactive map.
http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-
information/olympic-torch-relay/olympic-
torch-relay-interactive-map/
Theme of the
2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter
Games
With Glowing Hearts
Vancouver 2010
Olympic Winter Games
* Number of Olympic
athletes and officials:
5,500
* Countries participating in
Olympic Winter Games:
80+
Vancouver 2010
Paralympics Winter Games
• Number of Paralympic
athletes and officials:
1,350
• Countries participating
in Paralympic Winter
Games: 40+
Hosting Country – Canada
• Second largest country in the world
(Russian Federation is the largest)
• Ten provinces and three territories
• Canada is on the continent of (capital cities are in brackets).
North America – Provinces : Alberta (Edmonton),
• The country stretches from the British Columbia (Victoria),
Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Manitoba (Winnipeg), New
Ocean. Brunswick (Fredericton),
Newfoundland and Labrador(St.
• The Arctic Ocean is north and
the United States is south. John's), Nova Scotia (Halifax),
Ontario (Toronto), Prince Edward
• Canada is north of the 49th Island (Charlottetown), Quebec
parallel of latitude. (Quebec City), Saskatchewan
• The 49th parallel was chosen (Regina)
as a border from the Great
Lakes to the west coast. – Territories : Yukon (Whitehorse),
Nunavut (Iqaluit), Northwest
Territories (Yellowknife),