The format, rules, ceremonies and symbols that have come to be known as a part of the Olympics were largely invented by French idealist, educator and historian Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Games.
The symbols and pageantry of the Olympic Games play a very important role in arousing the imagination, stimulating personal goal setting and reminding people of who they are and what is good in all people.
The origin of the modern Summer Games
The Olympic Games were revived by the vision of de Coubertin. He believed that sports are a fundamental part of education, and he was fascinated with ancient Greek philosophy and lifestyles. This led to a lifelong campaign to improve the physical, mental and social activity of the world's children.
In 1884, de Coubertin proposed the possibility of restoring the Olympic Games as a world-class event. Seventy-eight delegates from nine countries voted unanimously to restore the Olympic Games. De Coubertin named the first organizing committee, the International Olympic Committee.
The first host city in 1896 was Athens, Greece ? in remembrance of the ancient Games ? and June 23 was designated as Olympic Day. Women first competed in the Olympics four years later in 1900, and the Winter Games began in 1924.
Over the years, additional sports events have been added to shape the Olympics into the form we recognize today.
De Coubertin presided as chief director of the Games until his death in 1923. Since then, seven other men have held this position. Today, Jacques Rogge of Belgium serves as president of the IOC.
The Winter Olympic Games
As the success of the Summer Games grew throughout the world, a variety of sports typically played during winter months were introduced as part of the regular competition.
The first complete, stand-alone Winter Games were held in Chamonix, France, in 1924.
Many of the winter sports came from daily life in alpine countries centuries ago. Some skiing events grew from hunters' needs to find food and the need for people and products to move around quickly in frozen environments.
Others came from a desire to enjoy the harsh winter season.
The Olympic rings
Designed by de Coubertin in 1913, the five interlocked rings ? an upper row of three rings and a lower row of two ? are the official symbol of the Olympic Games. The Olympic rings can be displayed in one single color or several colors. When the multicolored scheme is used, each ring has a prescribed color in a prescribed order ? the upper rings, from left to right, are blue, black and red; the lower two are yellow and green.
The five-ring symbol is thought by many to represent the five continents of the world ? Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and America ? that were united in the movement to reinstitute the Olympic Games.
Legend has it that the colors of the rings were selected because at least one of the five colors can be found in the flag of every nation in the world, although such an intention was never confirmed.
The rings are the exclusive property of the IOC.
The Olympic flag
Now in its ninth decade, the Olympic flag is a globally recognized and respected banner bearing the official five-ring symbol of the Games.
The flag features a white background and no border. Centered in the flag are the five interlocking rings.
At the 1914 Olympic Congress, de Coubertin unveiled the Olympic flag as part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the IOC's founding. However, it wasn't until six years later ? at the 1920 Antwerp Summer Games ? that the Olympic flag was unfurled as part of the competition.
The original flag was used through the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Games before being retired. A new Olympic flag was flown at the 1988 Seoul Summer Games.
At the closing ceremonies, the mayor of the host city transfers the Olympic flag to mayor of the next host city. The flag is often kept in a town hall or city center of the host city until the next Olympic Games.
The Olympic motto
"Citius, altius, fortius"
With its roots traced to a Paris school entrance, the Olympic motto of "citius, altius, fortius" has resulted in different interpretations from Latin over the years.
Originally, the three-word Latin phrase was translated as "faster, higher, braver," while recent clarifications suggest "swifter, higher, stronger" as a more accurate interpretation.
De Coubertin attributed the phrase to Father Henri Martin Dideon of Paris, who as headmaster of Arcueil College used the Latin words in 1895 in praising the athleticism of students at the college.
But Dideon himself had borrowed the Latin phrase from a previous employment. The three Latin words were found at the main entrance ? carved in stone ? at the Albert LeGrand school.
Athlete's oath
"In the name of all the 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."
The athlete's oath is taken by all Olympic athletes at the start of the Olympic Games. One athlete is selected from the host nation to repeat the oath at the opening ceremonies.
Olympic creed
"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."
The Olympic creed has gone through refining and revision through the years ? somewhat different from the creed originally adopted by de Coubertin and quite modified from the original quote that initially inspired the founder of the modern Olympics.
De Coubertin is said to have adopted the quote after listening to an Anglican bishop from the United States speak to Olympic athletes during services at the 1908 London Games.
Said Ethelbert Talbot, the bishop of central Pennsylvania: "The important thing in these Olympics is not so much winning as taking part."
In recent years, the Olympic creed has been displayed prominently on stadium scoreboards during the opening ceremonies.
Olympism
The term "Olympism" was originally coined by de Coubertin. His dream was to create in the youths of the world a personal attitude of self-worth and dignity that would extend far beyond the formal Olympic Games.
He summarized the spirit of Olympism in five ideals that were part of the first modern Olympic Games held in 1896.
To help develop better citizens through the building of character that accompanies amateur participation in sports.
To demonstrate the principles of fair play and good sportsmanship.
To stimulate interest in fine arts through exhibitions, concerts and demonstrations during the Games, and in so doing, contribute to a well-rounded life.
To teach that sports are played for fun and enjoyment.
To create international friendship and good will that would lead to a happier and more peaceful world.
The ancient Games
The original Olympic Games were held for almost 1,200 years as the greatest festival of the ancient European world. The first record of ancient Games was 776 B.C. at Olympia in Greece, but they were likely held long before that time.
For the first known 13 Games, the competition consisted of a single foot race of 200 yards, which was the approximate length of the Olympic stadium. The Games were so important that a four-year interval between them came to be known as an "Olympiad."
The Games expanded to include additional contests and reached their height by the fifth century B.C. Only men participated, and they competed in the nude. The Olympics were regarded as primarily religious ceremonies, and women were barred as spectators as well as competitors ? and even put to death if they were caught at the early Games.
Olympism: a legacy of peace
During Olympic years, warring city-states were encouraged to lay down their weapons and compete in peace on the playing field instead of the battlefield.
This Olympic peace was called "Ekecheiria," and no one under arms could enter Olympia.