The Olympic Games

Were

Was

The Past Simple Passive

+ V3

+ The first Olympic Games were held in Greece.

– The first Olympic Games were not held in Greece.

? Were the first Olympic Games held in Greece?

Text 10.2.1 Read and translate the text. Pay attention to the sentences in the Passive voice.

In 776 ВС the first Olympic Games were held at the foot of Mount Olympus to honour the Greek's chief God, Zeus. The Greeks emphasized physical fitness and strength in their education of youth. Therefore contests in running, jumping, discus and javelin throwing, boxing and horse and chariot racing were held in individual cities, and the winners competed every four years at Mount Olympus. Winners were greatly honoured by having olive wreaths placed on their heads and having poems

sung about their deeds. Originally these were held as games of friendship, and any wars in progress were halted to allow the games take place.

The Greeks attached so much importance to these games that they calculated time in four-year cycles called «Olympiads».

In 394 AD the Games were abolished and we're not renewed until many centuries later.

Renewal of the Games came in 1896, when the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens due to the French educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin, The first Olympiad was held in Athens and followed the pattern set by the ancient Olympic Games. Some events, like marathon race, have been added, and the inclusion of women, and also the series of winter sports. Otherwise, the framework elaborated for the first Games, has stood the test of time. The modern Games have maintained the original ideal of amateurism.

In 1896 the International Olympic Committee was set up. It is the central policymaking body of the Olympic movement, formed by the representatives of participant countries. The IOC makes the ultimate decision as to the program of the Games, the number of participants and as to where the Games of the next Olympiad are to be held. The Games are allocated to a city, not to a country. Over 150 countries are represented in the IOC at present.

Much importance is attached to the opening ceremony. At the opening of the Games the International Olympic Committee appears as a host. The national anthem of the host country is played, and all the participants march past the Lodge of Honour. The Head of the host country declares the Games open, then the Olympic flag is raised and the Olympic hymn is sung. Then the Olympic flame is lit that will burn till the end of the Games. The Olympic torch has been carried from Olympia by torch bearers, one for each kilometer, about 340 in all. The Olympic flag has five coloured interlaced rings, representing the five parts of the world, on a white background. The motto of the Olympic Games is «Citius, Altius, Fortius» (Faster, Higher, Stronger).

Russia joined the Olympic movement in 1952. Since then, Soviet sportsmen and sportswomen have collected a great lot of gold, silver and bronze medals, not to 1980 Moscow hosted the 22 Olympic Games.

The importance of the Olympic Games was well expressed by Coubertin: «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».

Vocabulary:

to honour Zeus в честь Зевса

physical fitness and strength хорошая физическая форма и сила

a contest in throwing

discus and javelin соревнования по метанию диска и

копья

horse and chariot racing гонки на колесницах

to compete соревноваться

to honour winners чествовать победителей

to attach much importance to придавать большое значение

Exercise 10.2.1.1. Answer the questions.

1. What is the history of the ancient Olympic Games?

2. How and when were the Olympic Games renewed?

3. What were the first modern Olympic Games characterized by?

4. What are the functions of the International Olympic Committee?

5. How were the winter Games introduced?

6. What is the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games and the Olympic flag?

7. What role does Russia play in the Olympic Games?

8. What did Pierre de Coubertin say about the importance of the Olympic Games?

Exercise 10. 2.1.2. Insert the correct word.

1. The first Olympic Games were held at the foot of Mount Olympus to honour the Greek’s chief God ______.

2. In 1986 the International Olympic _________ was set up.

3. The Head of the _______ country declares the Games open.

4. The _________ of the Olympic Games is “Faster, Higher, Stronger”.

5. In 1980 _______ hosted the 22 Olympic Games.

Exercise 10. 2.1.3. Translate into English.

1. Древние греки придавали большое значение физической форме.

2. Древние Олимпийские Игры проводились в честь Зевса.

3. Древние Олимпийские Игры включали соревнования по метанию диска и молота и многие другие виды соревнований.

4. Когда Олимпийские Игры были возобновлены, за модель были взяты древние Олимпиады.

5. Дух любительского спорта древних олимпиад прошел проверку временем.

6. Был основан МОК, центральный орган, определяющий политику Олимпийского движения.

7. Когда МОК принимает окончательное решение о месте проведения Олимпийских Игр, он определяет город, а не страну-хозяйку Олимпиады.

8. После вступления в Олимпийское движение, российские спортсмены собрали огромное количество медалей и установили огромное количество рекордов.

Exercise 10. 2.1.4. Check your memory.

What can you say about the history of the Olympic Games?

What can you say about the International Olympic Committee?

What can you say about the opening ceremony?

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