The motto of the Olympic Games. History of the Olympic motto

Soon the year will come when the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Behind the hot battle for medals, fascinating contests, colorful closing ... But the motto of the Olympic Games is not forgotten. The words "Faster, higher, stronger!" For athletes around the world mean the desire for victory and for new records. Where did this motto come from?

History of Olympic Games

Let's briefly dwell on how the Olympic Games appeared. They come from ancient Greece, where famous sports were organized. On the peninsula of Peloponnese, in the ancient sanctuary of Olympia, competitions were held on the run, quadriga races, that is, light chariots, in which four horses were harnessed. Subsequently they ceased.

They were renewed in the VIII century BC. E. Games were held every 4 years, and at that time a sacred truce was established. The sports were jumps in length, running, wrestling, pankration, fisticuffs, chariot races, javelin and discus throwing, archery. The winner was crowned with an olive wreath. At home, he was waiting for universal admiration and respect.

In 394, the Olympic Games as pagan were banned by Emperor Theodosius, who professed Christianity. They were for a long time forgotten.

Modern Olympic Games

The world owes the world to the revival of the Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin. He in 1894 convened the first meeting of the organization, called the International Olympic Committee, at which he proposed to make traditional competitions on the model of the ancient Greek competitions. The first games were planned to be held in Paris in 1900, but, at the suggestion of the Greek poet Demetrius Vikelas, they decided that they would be held earlier in Athens. This was to symbolize the connection between the ancient and modern Olympic Games.

Day April 6, 1896 was the beginning of the first Games of our time. King George I of Greece announced the beginning of the Olympics, then was performed the Olympic anthem. And from that time the first traditions appeared. One is that the Games are opened by the ruler of the country that hosts the Olympics. The second is the singing of the Olympic anthem during the opening of the Games. And the third - holding the Olympics every 4 years, and in different places. This was the decision of the IOC in response to Greece's proposal to always host the Games.

In 1924 in the French city of Chamonix was held the first winter Olympics.

The appearance of the Olympic motto

We all know perfectly well how the slogan of the Olympic Games sounds. The words "Faster, higher, stronger" belong to a friend of Coubertin, the priest Henri Didon. It was this expression that he opened sports competitions in the college in which he worked. In Latin, the expression sounds like "Citius, Altius, Fortius". This slogan pleased Cubéten so much that he offered it as an Olympic motto back in 1894, at the first meeting of the newly-created IOC. Then came 1 IOC Bulletin, in the title of which was now the usual motto of the Olympic Games.

Officially, he was introduced only in 1924 at the Olympics in Paris.

The motto of the Paralympic Games sounds like "Spirit in motion" - "Spirit on motion". This expression symbolizes the strength of the spirit of athletes with disabilities who have overcome the physical ailment and achieve high victories.

"The important thing is not to win but to take part"

This expression is the unofficial motto of the Olympic Games. Many believe that these words were uttered by Coubertin, but this is an erroneous opinion.

The appearance of the motto is connected with the Italian marathon runner Dorando Pietri. In 1908, at the Games in London, he was disqualified and deprived of Olympic gold for being helped at the very end of the race. Far ahead of all rivals, Pietri was so exhausted that on the last leg of the journey he fell several times, and the judges had to help him climb.

The strength of spirit Pietri impressed everyone who saw these dramatic competitions. He received a special cup from the hands of Queen Alexandra. And the American bishop Talbot, speaking with a sermon in the London Cathedral of St. Paul, said that the winner can only be one, but everyone can participate. This is the main lesson of the Olympics.

With the presentation of Coubertin this expression in a more aphoristic form has spread throughout the world.

Other symbols of the Olympic Games

Over time, the full symbolism of the Olympic Games has developed. And the motto became a part of it. Besides him, there are the Olympic flag, rings, fire.

As the history of the Olympic Games shows, we can briefly say that most of the symbols appeared during the Seventh Summer Olympics in Antwerp (1920).

The Olympic rings, intertwined in a special way, symbolize the unity of the five continents. They show that the Games are world-wide. The author of the emblem is Pierre de Coubertin. He also proposed the Olympic flag - a white silk cloth with the image of the Olympic rings.

By the way, the first flag hung over the stadium for only two days. And then he disappeared! A new one was made urgently, which was raised during the opening of the Games until 1988, before the Olympics in Seoul. And the mystery of the missing cloth was only opened in 1997, when the veteran American sports veteran Priest admitted that he simply stole it. Three years later he returned the flag of the IOC.

Very often, together with the rings, an image of the olive branch is used. This is also an echo of the Olympic Games of antiquity. Then on the head of the winner lay an olive wreath. Since then, he is a symbol of victory.

During the opening of the Games, one of the most authoritative athletes gives the Olympic oath on behalf of all participants to fight honestly for the victory. And judges vow to judge objectively and honestly. This is in keeping with the traditions of the ancient Greek Olympic Games.

Olympic flame

The tradition of lighting the fire of the Olympic Games also comes from ancient Greece, where he was dedicated to the feat of Prometheus. It was revived in 1928. Long before the start of the next games in the temple of Hera in Olympia from the sun rays one of the main symbols is lit. Then the torch relay of the Olympic flame begins to the venue of the Olympics. Participation in it is very honorable for athletes. After a long journey across all continents, the torch is delivered to the opening ceremony of the Games. From it ignites the Olympic flame, which symbolizes the opening of the Olympics.

The motto of the Winter Olympics in Sochi

Recently, each of the held Olympics had its own motto. Countries that host the Games try to make them brief and memorable. The motto of the Olympic Games in Sochi (2014) was "Hot, Winter, Yours."

According to the organizers, this expression reflects the features of the Sochi Olympics. "Hot" is a heat of passion among participants and fans, "winter" - the nature of the Games and the traditional idea of Russia as a frosty and snowy country, "yours" - expresses the sense of ownership of everyone who participates in it or watches it.

Emblems and mascots of the Games

Modern Olympic Games are characterized by the fact that the tradition has become the presence of each Olympics emblem, which serves as a recognizable symbol of these Games. Along with them appeared talismans. Countries that host the Olympics are trying to show their own characteristics in them or use the common cliché images of this country. It's no wonder that the Olympic Mishka became the symbol of the Moscow Olympics-1980 , which was very popular after its end.

The Olympics is a holiday where peace and sport play a major role. The Olympic Games show that the states of the world can compete not in who has how much money or weapons, but in sports achievements. Not for nothing Olympic medals are a source of pride not only for the winners and record-holders of the Games, but for all the inhabitants of the country. As in antiquity, the Olympic heroes become national heroes. A Games held in the country - a great occasion for the unity of all its citizens.