Why Olympics Matter||History, Name & Fame
In this topic, we will discussed about the history of Olympics, Name & their Fame. We will know about the Athletes’ positions and their medals of India at Paris Olympics 2024. It is exciting to see how far the Olympics have come and the incredible talent that continues to emerge from India.
Table of Contents
History of Olympics
- Ancient Olympic Games.
- Importance for Greeks.
- Conducted every four years from 776 BC to at least 393 AD.
- BC is known as “Before Christ” and AD is known as “Anno Domini“.
- Modern Olympic Games.
- Restarted by Pierre de Coubertin.
- He is considered the father of modern Olympics.
- Formation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
- First modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece in 1896.
- The Olympic rings were designed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, and first appeared in 1913.
- The Olympic rings symbolize the unity of the five continents, the athletes’ participation in the Games, and the dynamic spirit of the Olympic movement.
- Each of the five colored rings represents one of the inhabited continents: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
Summer Olympics vs. Winter Olympics
Difference between Summer and Winter Olympics:
- Northern Hemisphere perspective.
- Timing of Summer Olympics (June-July) and Winter Olympics (January-February).
- Focus on Northern Hemisphere population.
- Clarification of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens as a Summer Olympics.
Olympics
- The name “Olympics” is derived from Olympia, the site of the ancient Games.
- The term “Olympics” refers to the Summer Olympics by default, unless specified otherwise.
- The first Winter Olympics took place in Chamonix, France.
- France has hosted the Olympics three times, including the current hosting.
- The Summer Olympics in France happened in the same year as the Winter Olympics.
Olympic Anomalies:
- Historically, Summer and Winter Olympics used to occur in the same year but now have a gap of two years between them.
- Beijing, China is the first city to host both Summer and Winter Olympics.
Paralympic Games: Why The Olympics Matter
- The concept of the Paralympic Games originated after World War II to accommodate physically disabled individuals.
- The Paralympic Games are held in the same year and city as the Summer Olympics.
- The first Winter Paralympic Games took place in Tignes, France.
Paris Olympics
- Paris Olympics are for physically disabled people.
- Originally SC International games.
- Will be opened by President Emanuel Macron.
- The theme of the 2024 Paris Olympics is “Games Wide Open“.
Sports in Paris Olympics 2024
- The Paris 2024 Olympic Games has been introduced 32 sports in their programme.
- Breakdancing has been introduced for the first time.
- Skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing and breakdancing are four non-traditional sports that has been featured at the Paris Games.
- Baseball and softball have been postponed to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, even though they were excluded from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Other sports include basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, and cycling etc.
Paris Olympics Mascot
- Olympic mascots represent the spirit of the Games and play a crucial role in welcoming athletes and visitors.
- Mascot is an animated character representing the event.
- Olympic Phryge is a mascot, a large triangular red figure that has puzzled some, is designed to honor the Phrygian bonnet, a hat symbolizing the French Revolution.
India at Paris Olympics 2024
India's Participation in the Olympics
- Abhinav Bindra won the first gold medal for India in the Olympics, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in shooting.
- Karnam Malleswari, a weightlifter from New Delhi, is the first Indian woman to win a bronze medal at the Olympics.
- The first individual medal for Independent India was won by Abhinav Bindra after the 15th of August.
- India made its Olympic debut in 1900 in Paris, represented by Norman Pritchard.
Current Olympic Scenario
- India has ranked 53rd in the world with 3 bronze medals(all in shooting) in this year 2024 Paris Olympics yet.
- 117 Indian athletes have qualified to compete in 16 sports disciplines. This group includes 70 men and 47 women, participating in 69 events for a total of 95 medals for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Manu Bhaker won the bronze in 10m air rifle shooting.
- She is the first woman shooter from India to win an Olympic medal.
- She belongs to Jajja District, Haryana, India.
- She also gets 4th position in 25m air rifle shooting and missed historic 3rd medal.
- Indian athletes have secured 38 medals, all of which were won at the Summer Games, but has also completed at several Winter Olympics.
Importance of Paris Olympics 2024 for Sportsmen: Why The Olympics Matter
- International Talent Stage
- Athletes have an exceptional opportunity to display their abilities on a worldwide scale during the Olympics.
- Historical Importance
- The last time the Olympics were held in Paris, a city with a long history in the Olympic movement, was in 1924. It is an exceptional opportunity for athletes to be a part of this legacy.
- Motivation and Inspiration
- Athletes are motivated to strive for excellence and exceed their limits by the Olympics.
- Economy and Careers opportunities:
- A successful Olympics can lead to professional opportunities as well as sponsorships and endorsements.
- Unity and Healthy Sportsmanship
- The Olympics promote goodwill and sportsmanship. Together, athletes from all backgrounds build respect and cross-cultural interchange.
- Advances in Technology and Training
- Improvements in sports science and training methods are frequently the result of Olympic preparations.
The most decorated Olympian in history is American swimmer Michael Phelps. 28 Olympic medals in all, including 23 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze, have been won by Phelps. His incredible feats from the 2004 Olympics in Athens to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro are noteworthy.
The United States holds the record for the most Olympic medals in history. In the two decades since the modern Olympic Games began in 1896, American athletes have accumulated an astounding 2,985 medals. 1,229 gold, 1,000 silver, and 756 bronze medals are included in this.
Larisa Latynina, a Soviet gymnast, has won 18 medals (9 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze).