Olympic symbols - a means of promoting the idea of the Olympic movement

The most important attributes of the World Olympic Movement are the Olympic symbolism, which includes a flag with five rings, fire, salute, oath, anthem, slogan, emblem, medals, olive branch and talismans. The International Olympic Committee uses these attributes to promote the idea of the Olympic movement in the world.

One of the main elements without which the symbolism of the Olympic Games is inconceivable is the flag. It is a silk cloth of white color, on which are embroidered five intertwined rings of different colors, symbolizing the five continents. In the upper row there are three rings: blue (Europe), black (Africa) and red (America), and in the bottom two: yellow symbolizes Asia, and green - Australia.

The author of the Olympic flag is Pierre de Coubertin. The flag was introduced in 1913, and as the Olympic symbolism was first used in 1920 in Antwerp, where the Seventh Olympic Games were held.

No less important attribute of the Olympic Games is the Olympic flame. The tradition of its lighting appeared in ancient Greece, when these sports competitions were started there. The fire reminded of the exploit of Prometheus, who according to legend kidnapped him from Zeus and gave it to people.

The tradition of lighting the Olympic flame was revived in 1928. Fire, like the Olympic symbolism, is used to this day. In 1936 during the Berlin Olympic Games for the first time it was decided to hold the torch of the Olympic flame. This idea was suggested by Joseph Goebbels. More than three thousand runners took part in the delivery of a torch from distant Olympia directly to Berlin. Since then, a few months before the opening of the next Olympic Games, the sacred fire is lit on his homeland in Olympia (Greece) and the relay is delivered to the city, which is honored to host the Olympic Games.

Such Olympic symbolism as a hymn, as well as an oath, and a motto, have been an inseparable ritual element of all the Olympic Games for several decades already.

The hymn was written back in 1896 by the Greek opera composer Spiro Samara and the Greek poet Constantinos Palamas. In 1958, it was formally approved by the IOC.

In 1913, Pierre de Coupertin developed the text of the Olympic oath. She expresses the idea of uniting all the youth at the sports festival. For the first time it was uttered at the games of 1920.

The Olympic motto in Latin is: "Citius, Altius, Fortius!" In translation, it means: "Faster, higher, stronger!" These words reflect the desire of athletes to win.

Awarded in the Olympic Games are medals of gold, silver and bronze, which are awarded to the three winners of the Olympic competitions, who took the first, second and third place. And the winner gets an olive branch, awarded a gold medal.

Olympic mascot since 1972 is part of the symbolism, as well as an obligatory attribute of the Olympics. This symbol has an advertising and commercial purpose, in addition, it reflects the nature of the country of the games. Usually the image of an animal that is popular in the region where the competitions are held is used.

As you know, the next Winter Olympic Games will be held in Sochi. Russia has been preparing for this significant event for several years now. Naturally, the Olympic symbolics of Sochi 2014 have already been developed.