First held in 776 BC, the Olympic Games have become a world tradition. The Games began with only one event and now encompass over 25 categories each made up of several events. As they have grown, the games have picked up symbols along the way.
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THE RINGS: Representing unity among nations, the rings became a symbol of the Olympics in 1913. Each ring represents a continent and at least one of the 6 colors (blue, yellow, black, green, red, on a white flag) can be found on every national flag. |
| THE FLAME: Passing a flame between Olympic runners from the participating nations is an Olympic tradition that began in 1936. The passing of the torch symbolizes the connectedness between the first Olympics and the Olympics of today. |
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OLYMPIC OATH: To ensure fair play, an oath is taken by one athlete from the hosting nation at the beginning of every Olympic Games Competition. This tradition began in 1920.
"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, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams" |
| OLYMPIC CREED: Adopted in 1908, the Olympic creed appears on the scoreboard during the opening ceremonies and reminds the athletes that winning isn't everything.
"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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The OLYMPIC MOTTO: "Citius, Altius, Fortius" meaning "Swifter, Higher, Stronger" became the Olympic motto in 1895. |
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