|
|
|
| |
Symbols
The Flag of the Olympic Games:
The flag of the Olympic Games was designed in 1913 – 1914 by Baron de Coubertin. It has five interlocking rings (blue, yellow, black, green, and red) on a white background. The flag was first used in the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium. The rings represent the five world continents that is joined together in the Olympic movement.
During the opening ceremony of each Olympic Games
the Olympic flag is paraded. At the closingceremony
of an Olympics, the flag is handed over to the mayor
of the next host-city by the mayor of the present
host-city. The flag then remains in the town hall
of the next host-city until the next Olympic Games.
Motto
The motto in Latin of the Olympic Games is "Citius, altius, fortius" (meaning "Faster, higher, stronger).
The Olympic
Flame
Over 2700 years ago in Greece the tradition of the Olympic flame began. A flame was lit by the sun's rays at Olympia and burned throughout the Games. The flame symbolized the death and rebirth of Greek heroes.
The Olympic flame has become an important symbol of the Olympics. It was first in Berlin 1936 the Olympic Flame for the first time left Olympia and the first torch relay occurred. This was a new Olympic tradition, no torch really existed in the ancient Olympics. For each of the games a new Olympics torch is designed.
Once lit, it will first be carried by relay runners
throughout Greece for 10 days before it leaves for
its destination at the host city. Before the flame
reach its final destination it´s carried around
the country where the games are to be held. During
the Opening Ceremonies the flame is used to light
a giant torch and the flame is first extinguished
during the closing ceremony.
Before the last Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City 2002 the Olympic Flame was carried 21,600 km across 46 US states by 11,500 Torchbearers. The flame was carried by plane, ship, train, on foot, dog sled, horse-drawn sled and even snowmobile. Each torchbearer wore an official white uniform - this is an Olympic custom.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
