Olympic Symbols
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Olympic
Rings
The Olympic symbol -- five interlocked rings -- represent the union of the five original
major continents (Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe) and the meeting of the
athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games. The five colors of the rings from
left to right are blue, black and red across the top and yellow and green along the
bottom. |
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Olympic Creed
The words of the Olympic
creed are attributed to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic
Games.
"The most important thing in the
Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is
not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have
fought well."
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Baron Pierre de Coubertin |
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Citius, Altius, Fortius |
Olympic Motto
The Olympic motto "Citius, Altius,
Fortius" is Latin for "Faster, Higher, Braver," but is universally accepted
to mean "Swifter, Higher, Stronger." |
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"In the name of all competitors, I promise
that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which
govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of
our teams." |
Olympic
Oath
The Olympic oath is a symbolic gesture of
sportsmanship that traces its origins to the 1920 Olympic Games. One athlete from the host
country takes an oath at Opening Ceremonies on behalf of all the athletes.
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Victory Ceremonies
On the podium, medals are presented to the
first, second and third-place finishers. The winner stands in the middle at the highest
elevation; the runner-up stands slightly below to the victor's right and the third-place
finisher stands lower and to the left. |
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Medals
Olympic medals must be at least 60
millimeters in diameter and at least three millimeters thick. Gold and silver medals must
be made of 92.5 percent pure silver; the gold medal must be gilded with at least six grams
of gold. The design of the medals is the responsibility of the host city's organizing
committee. |
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Olympic Flame
The lighting of an Olympic flame for the
duration of the Games derives from the ancient Greeks who used a flame lit by the sun's
rays at Olympia, the site of the original Games. The concept was revived in 1936 and has
remained an Olympic tradition. |
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Immortal Spirit of Antiquity
Father of the true, beautiful and good
Descend, appear, shed over us thy light
Upon this ground and under this sky
Which has first witnessed they unperishable flame
Give life and animation
to these noble Games!
Throw of wreaths of fadeless flower to the victors
In the race and in the struggle!
Create in our breast, hearts of steel!
In thy light, plains, mountains and seas
Shine in a roseate hue and for a vast temple
To which all nations throng to adore thee
Oh, Immortal spirit of antiquity! |
Olympic Hymn
The Olympic Hymn is played when the Olympic Flag is raised. The music was composed by
Spirou Samara. The words were added by Costis Palamas of Greece in 1896. |
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Olympic Mascots
Olympic Games mascots are selected by the
local organizing committee of the host city.Olympic Mascots |
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Olympiad
The term "Olympiad" designates the period of four consecutive years which begin
with the Games of the Olympiad and end with the opening of the next Games of the Olympiad.
The Olympiads are numbered consecutively from the first Olympic Games (or 1st Games of the
Olympiad), held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. Even the Games canceled by the war in 1916,
1940 and 1944 are counted. The Games of the XXVIX Olympiad will be held in 2008 in
Beijing, China. |
