Olympic Games- the Premier Sporting Event in the World

The Olympic Games are a sporting occasion played every two years at international level. A variety of competitions are arranged where thousands of athletes from around the globe take part. The history of this fantastic sporting competition dates back to the 5th Century AD.

The Olympic Movement classified the Olympic Games into the Winter Olympic Games, the Summer Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games during the 20th and 21st Century.

The Paralympic Games are arranged for after the Olympic Games and these are for disabled athletes. The Youth Olympic Games are for teenagers and were first held in 2010. The Olympic Charter specifies the structure of the International Olympic Committee i.e. the governing body of the Olympic Games.

The Olympic flag comprises five interlocking circles of red, blue, yellow, green and black and was introduced in 1920. The Olympic motto says "Swifter, Higher, and Stronger".

Some of the games played in the Summer Olympics are baseball, badminton, basketball, cycling, boxing, diving, soccer, sailing, rowing, hockey, water polo, wrestling, swimming, weightlifting, tennis etc.

Games played during the Winter Olympics are skiing, ice hockey, skating, ski jumping, curling, free style skiing, cross country skiing, down hill skiing,

A gold medal is presented to every first winner while silver and bronze medals are presented to the second and third winners respectively. Victory Diplomas are the certificates which are given to some top winners of every sport. The Olympic Flame is lit according to a custom allied with these games.

A new flame is lit for every Olympics in the Ancient Olympic Stadium in Olympia, Greece. This flame is taken to the host country where the games are to be held.

The flame is carried over the whole host country by individuals walking, running, scuba diving, riding, and using other types of transport. In fact, several torches are carried around the country where the games are held.

The large Olympic torch is lit by the last runner carrying the torch. This substantial torch keeps burning throughout the games. The flame is extinguished at the end of the games during the closing ceremony. A new torch is designed for each Olympics.

Just about all the nations of the world are present at these games. National and international media coverage provides a opportunity to unknown athletes to be well-known. The host city and country gets a chance to showcase their country to the world.

The host country organizes and finances the whole event. More than 13,000 athletes compete in the Summer and Winter Olympics in more than 400 activities.

Many challenges are faced whilst organizing this mammoth event. Some of the chief challenges are terrorism, bribery of officials, boycotts and doping. The host city is normally selected seven years in advance of the Olympic Games.

The United States has had the opportunity to host four Summer and four Winter Olympics. No other nation has hosted as many Olympic games.

The next Summer Olympics are scheduled to be held in London in 2012. Women are being especially promoted to take part in these games. Female athletes will be able to take part in all the men’s sports in the coming Olympics for the first time. Women’s boxing has also been introduced thereby ending gender discrimination.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on numerous subjects, but is currently concerned with the London Olympics 2012 venues. Click a link if you are interested in the 2012 London Olympics Volunteers.