Essay On Foremost Competition - The Olympic Games

Essay On Foremost Competition – The Olympic Games

The Olympic Games are considered as the world’s foremost sports competition with more than 200 nations participating in it. The Olympic Games is an international sports festival held every four years in different cities of the world. The event is the most known international athletic competition, Different competitors around the world participate and try to make their nation proud by winning. The ancient Greeks celebrated the Olympics Games in summer at the ancient city called ‘Olympia’. These games were at their zenith during 4th and 5th centuries BC.

The grand ceremony before the games begins with the parade of the athletes. In honour of the Olympic Games, participants of different countries parade with their Olympic team around the stadium. The host nation parades last. The Olympic Song is played loudly. The official flag, which is the symbol of the Olympic Games, is raised high. The flag is composed of five interlocking rings of blue, yellow, black, green and red colours. In 1912, Baron Pierre de Coubertin designed the symbol of interlocking rings. According to him, the ring colours with the white background stand for those colours that appeared on all the national flags of that time.

In April 1896, the first Olympic Games took place. These games attracted the attention of the athletes from United States and Great Britain. 42 events in 9 sports were planned for the first Olympic Games. However, as time passed, the number of women athletes, the number of sports and the events increased. In 1916, The Olympic Games that were to take place in Berlin were cancelled due to the World War I. Similarly, Olympics in 1940 and 1944 were cancelled due to the World War II.

Different performances, worshipping God and music were the main features of the ancient Olympic Games. They are no longer part of today’s Olympics. The relay of the Olympic Torch is the only feature still existing. The Olympic ceremony ends with the release of doves, signifying the free spirit of the games.

The modern Olympic Games are the leading international sporting event featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes across the globe participate in a variety of competitions. Boxing, wrestling, handball, sprinting, long and high jumps, javelin and discus throws, soccer, baseball, field hockey, basketball, weightlifting, badminton, cycling, tennis, judo, gymnastics, archery, volleyball, table tennis and shooting are some of the important sports in which contestants from different countries participate. To honour the winners, medal ceremony is held after each event.

Winners of the first, second and third place stand on a podium and receive their gold, silver and bronze medals. The national anthem of the country of the gold medallist is played. It is a moment full of pride.