Olympic motto: "Faster, Higher, Stronger!" History of the Olympic motto

For the first time the Olympics gathered its audience in 776 BC. E. Competitions athletes took place near Olympia on the island of Peloponnese. It is interesting that during the games absolutely all wars in the region ceased. Ancient Greece has watched this unique sport spectacle for more than a millennium. Participants were warriors, men, competing in the race at a distance of about 192 meters (one stage) completely naked. Because of this, women were not allowed to the rostrum, and they did not take part in the competitions either.

The duration of the competition was only one day. Gradually the program of the Olympiad expanded. First, the run was added to two stages, then the endurance race, pentathlon competition, chariot run, pankration, fist fight and others. The decision to increase the duration of games to five days was taken in the fifth century BC. E. Unfortunate for the Olympians was 394, the competitions were abolished because of incompatibility with Christianity. After all, they were originally dedicated to Zeus and other gods from the sacred mountain. The game was revived only in 1896 by the efforts and efforts of Pierre de Coubertin in a symbolic place - in Athens. And since 1924 the Winter Olympic Games have started.

Symbols of the Olympics

Games have their own symbolism - fire, flag, anthem, motto, ring and vow.

The fire came to the Olympic tradition from Greece: it was transferred from the altar of Hestia to the sacrificial altar of Zeus.

The flag of the Olympic Games is white without any border or frame with the image of five rings. White color represents the unity of all nations, the world, and the rings on it - the universal Olympic idea.

The hymn is performed when the flag is raised and lowered, as well as on other solemn moments.

The motto consists of a combination of words "Faster, Higher, Stronger!".

Rings, linked together, reflect the unity of all continents, a "truce" for the time of games, a meeting of athletes from around the world in fair competitions. Their colors represent the five parts of the world.

The Olympic oath is designed to proclaim the importance of wrestling and its spirit. It creates an atmosphere of justice and trust.

The history of the motto "Faster, Higher, Stronger!"

The motto is the Latin expression "Citius, Altius, Fortius!", Which literally means "Faster, Higher, Stronger!" The authorship belongs to Henri Didon, the director of the spiritual college, the French priest. During the beginning of sports in the college, he tried to express as precisely and as concisely as possible the desire for honest struggle, as well as the beneficial influence of sport on man. Pierre de Coubertin really liked the Latin saying and when in 1894, when creating the IOC (International Olympic Committee), the question arose which slogan of the Olympic Games will be officially approved, de Coubertin did not hesitate and suggested "Faster, Higher, Stronger". The first IOC Bulletin of 1894 for the first time used the slogan in its headline. The official approval was in 1913, and since 1920 it has become part of the Olympic emblem. The public motto was introduced during the VIII Summer Games in Paris only in 1924.

The unofficial principle of the Olympic Games

De Coubertin is also credited with creating an unofficial motto of the Olympics, which reads: "The main thing is not victory, but participation." In fact, these words were spoken by the Bishop of Pennsylvania in 1908 during the London Olympics. Participation implied empathy for the athlete, who failed to win, but fought to the last with all his might. The words were sent to the address of Pietri Dorando, an Italian runner. On the eve of Dorando was disqualified because of outside help at the finish, which he did not ask for when he ran a marathon distance. During the award ceremony, he still received a gold cup from a member of the royal family for outstanding athletic achievement.

The Olympic motto "Faster, Higher, Stronger!" Extremely accurately and accurately reflects the aspiration of athletes around the world.

The most memorable mottoes

In addition to the generally accepted slogan, each country seeks to make itself known as the invented motto of its games. One of the best so far is the motto of the Olympics in Beijing (2008) - "One World, One Dream", in translation - "One World, One Dream". This is a reflection of the principle of unity. It was unveiled in 2004 and for the next 4 years, they could not think of anything better. There were other interesting and memorable phrases. In Vancouver (2010), for example, there were two mottos. One of which is in English ("With Glowing Hearts"), and the second one in French. The literal translation is "With burning hearts". Sydney's slogan (2000) was also memorable: "Divide the spirit" and, of course, Salt Lake City (2002), which sounds like "Light the fire inside".

Two seasons of the Olympics, summer and winter mottos

The Winter Olympic Games are much younger than the summer ones. They first took place in French Chamonix in 1924. Until 1994, their coincidence with the year of the Summer Olympics, after 1994, the interval was reduced to 2 years. The motto of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi (2014) consisted of a sequence of three words "Hot. Winter. Yours. " He talks about everyone's involvement in what is happening, about the intensity of the struggle and the timing of the competitions.

"One world, one dream"

For many centuries, the Olympics has overcome not one obstacle. Now this is one of the biggest and exciting events in the world, during which all military conflicts stop. The sports movement was not extinguished, but reborn with new forces and aspirations for high ideals. Sacred fire flares up in almost every heart, and the slogan of the Olympics "Faster, Higher, Stronger!" Sounds on any sports arena. Millions of people on the planet are involved in this unusual grandiose and solemn performance. And who can not take part in it, tries to watch him from the rostrum, sincerely rooting for his favorites. Also, the event can be watched on the TV screen, sitting in a cozy home environment or surrounded by friends. In addition, participants in international games have the opportunity to properly remedy their material condition: in case of victory, the reward will be very high. And to fight for medals, as well as watch the competition, it is now possible for women. In addition, there are paralympic games, in which people with disabilities participate, demonstrating the greatest strength of mind.