ANCIENT OLYMPIAD
The first ancient Olympic Games began sometime in 776 BC. They were held during the religious festivals of the cult of Zeus, but were not an integral part of a rite.
The first ancient Olympic Games began sometime in 776 BC. They were held during the religious festivals of the cult of Zeus, but were not an integral part of a rite.
They aimed to show the physical qualities of the performances accomplished by young people, as well as encouraged good relations between the cities of Greece.
The ancient Olympic Games were initially a one-day event until 684 BC when they were extended to three days. In the 5th century B.C., the Games were extended again to five days.
The Games included running, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing, pankration (wrestling & boxing) and equestrian events.
The Olympic victor received his award immediately after the competition. Following the announcement of the winner's name by the herald, a Hellanodikis (Greek judge) would place a palm branch in his hands, while the spectators cheered and threw flowers to him. Red ribbons were tied on his head and hands as a mark of victory.
The official awarding ceremony would take place on the last day of the Games, at the elevated vestibule of the temple of Zeus. The herald would loudly announce the name of the winner, his father's name, and his homeland. Then, the Hellanodikis (judges) placed the kotinos (sacred olive tree wreath) on the winner's head.
The Olympic victor received his award immediately after the competition. Following the announcement of the winner's name by the herald, a Hellanodikis (Greek judge) would place a palm branch in his hands, while the spectators cheered and threw flowers to him. Red ribbons were tied on his head and hands as a mark of victory.
The official awarding ceremony would take place on the last day of the Games, at the elevated vestibule of the temple of Zeus. The herald would loudly announce the name of the winner, his father's name, and his homeland. Then, the Hellanodikis (judges) placed the kotinos (sacred olive tree wreath) on the winner's head.
The site of the ancient Olympic Games nestled on the ancient plains of Olympia, in the western part of the Peloponnese which, according to Greek mythology, is the island of "Pelops", the founder of the Olympic Games. A colonnade of temples and buildings, and sports facilities stood in a beautiful landscape . Olympia served as a place for worship and political practices as early as the 10th century B.C. The central part of Olympia was dominated by the majestic temple of Zeus, with the temple of Hera parallel to it. The Games continued for nearly 12 centuries, until Emperor Theodosius decreed in 393 A.D. that all such "pagan cults" be banned.
MODERN OLYMPIAD
The term "Olympic" to describe athletic events in the modern era have been documented since the 17th century. The first such event was the "Cotswold Olimpick Games", an annual event in England involving various sports. It was first organized in the mid-1600's.
L'Olympiade de la République, a national Olympic festival held annually in France in the late 1700's was patterned after the ancient Olympic Games.The competition included several disciplines from the ancient Greek Olympics.
In the mid-1800's, England held an annual Grand Olympic Festival, the first to be entirely amateur and international in nature, although exclusive only 'gentlemen amateurs'. The program of the first modern Olympiad in Athens in 1896 was almost identical to that of the Liverpool Olympics.
In 1890, after attending the Olympian Games of the Wenlock Olympian Society, Baron Pierre de Coubertain was inspired to establish the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Coubertin wanted an internationally attended Olympic Games whose host country would be rotated and held every four years. He presented these ideas in 1894 during the first Olympic congress of the IOC, at the University of Paris. On the last day of the Congress, it was decided that the first Olympic Games be under the auspices of the IOC and would take place in 1896 in its ancient birthplace, Athens, Greece. The Games of the I Olympiad - was a landmark in the history of Olympism as the first Olympic Games of the modern era. The Games attracted 241 athletes from 14
During the 2004 Athens Olympiad there were 10,625 athletes (60% Men & 40% Women) and 5,501 officials from 201 National Olympic Committees who participated in 28 sports with 301 events, and had 45,000 volunteers from all over the globe. An estimated US$11+ billion was spent by Greece in hosting the 17-day event. A stark contrast from that of the ancient Olympics.
In 1912 the Far Eastern Games was organized by then the Empire ofJapan, the Philippine Isalnds and China. The first Games were held in Manila in 1913 and ten further gatherings were held until 1934 when the 2nd Sino-Japanese War broke. Japan's insistence on including Manchu Empire (Manchuria occupied by Japan) as competitor nation in the Games angered China and announced its withdrawal from
After World War II, a number of Asian countries became independent. Many of these countries wanted to see a new type of competition that was dominated by Asians and would be strengthened by mutual understanding. During the 1948 Summer Olympiad in London, sportsmen from China
In 1981 the National Olympic Committees in Asia decided to revise the constitution of the AAF. The AAF was transformed into the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) excluding Israel. India was already scheduled to host the 1982 Games and the OCA decided not to drop the old timetable. OCA formally started supervising the Games during the 1986 Asian Games in South Korea and held the succeeding Games every four years.
Though not all are played, a total of 44 sports were played in the Asian Games history. During the 2002 Busan AG a total of 6,572 athletes (70% Men & 30% Women) from 44 National Olympic Committees participated in 38 sports with 419 events and 16,000 volunteers came from all over the world.
The following are the AG recognized sports: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing, Cricket, Cycling, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Judo, Kabaddi, Karate, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Rugby Union, Sailing, Sepak Takraw, Shooting, Soft Tennis, Squash, Swimming, Synchronized Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weighlifting, Wrestling & Wushu.
SOUTHEAST ASIAN GAMES
In 1958, delegates from the countries in Southeast Asian peninsula attending the Asian Games in Tokyo, Japan had a meeting and agreed to establish the Southeast Asian Peninsular Games Federation (SEAPF) . The Federation conceptualized the Southeast Asian Peninsular Games or SEAP Games as a biennial regional sports event that will help promote cooperation, understanding and relations among countries in the Southeast Asian region. Thailand, Burma (now Myanmar), Malaya (now Malaysia), Laos, South Vietnam and Cambodia (with Singapore included thereafter) were the founding members.
The 1st SEAP Games was held in Bangkok from 12–17 December 1959. More than 527 athletes and officials participated in 12 sports from Thailand, Burma, Malaya (now Malaysia), Singapore, South Vietnam and Laos. At the 8th SEAP Games in 1975, the SEAP Federation considered the inclusion of Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines. These countries were formally admitted in 1977, the same year when SEAP Federation changed their name to the South East Asian Games Federation (SEAGF), and the games were known as the Southeast Asian Games or SEA Games. East Timor was admitted at the 22nd Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.
The SEA Games is owned and supervised by the South East Asian Games Federation. The Games is sanctioned by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The sports played in the SEA Games are: Aquatics, Archery,
Arnis, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Billiards & Snooker, Bodybuilding, Boxing, Canoe/Kayak, Chess, Cycling, Dancesport, Equestrian, Fencing, Finswimming, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Gymnastics,
Handball, Judo, Karate, Lawn Bowls, Muay, Pencak Silat, Petanque, Polo, Rowing, Roller Sport, Rugby Union, Sailing, Sepak Takraw, Shooting, Shuttle Cock,
Softball, Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo,
Tennis, Traditional Boat Race, Triathlon, Volleyball, Waterski, Weighlifting, Wrestling, & Wushu.
As in the Asian Games, not all sports are played in every Games due to the financial capability of the host country.OLYMPIC CIRCLE
The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) membership is composed of individuals who are chosen by the members from various nations. Retirement is either through the age of 75 years old, death or due to conduct contrary to the IOC charter.
Recognition is given to nations (e.g. China, U.S.A. …) or territories (e.g. Hong Kong, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Guam …). These are called National Olympic Committees (NOC). Only one NOC is given recognition per nation or territory. Each NOC likewise is mandated to recognize only one National Sports Association (NSA) per sport within their boundary. All NOCs are non-government organizations as mandated by the IOC.
Membership of the
OCA and the SEAGF are composed of the National Olympic Committees (NOC)
in their regions. The NOCs elected officials are their representatives
in each organization.The IOC also gives recognition to International Sports Federations (IF) governing each sport. They are the regulating body of their particular sport and play an active role in organizing their sport competition in the Olympics. Like the NOC, only one IF per sport is given recognition. Examples of which are: FITA for archey, FINA for swimming, IAAF for athletics, FIBA for basketball, AIBA for boxing, FIFA for soccer, etc…
Recognition are also given to umbrella organizations for International Sports Federations and NOCs, multi-sports and events, sports for all, disabled sport, sports medicine & science, court of arbitration, media, sports equipment and facilities, and others.OLYMPIC SPORTS
There are only 28 sports played in the Summer Olympic Games: Aquatics, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Softball, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting, and Wrestling. Baseball and Softball are to be replaced by Golf and Rugby in 2012 due.
DISCIPLINES
Each sport have two or more disciplines. Examples of which are:
Archey – Recurve, Compound; Athletics – Track, Field, Road; Aquatics – Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, & Synchronized Swimming; Canoeing – Canoeing & Kayaking; Cycling – Road, Track, Mountain Bike, BMX; Equestrian – Dressage, Jumping, Eventing, & Cross Country.
Not all disciplines are included in the Games due to time and budget constraints.
EVENTS
Each of the disciplines have events, such as:
Aquatics - Swimming (Men/Women) – 50m, 100m, 1500m freestyle, 50m 100m, breaststroke, ... Diving (Men/Women)– 10m platform, synchronized diving,… Synchronized Swimming – Duet &Team and Water Polo (Men/Women); Archery – individual and team recurve; Athletics (Men/Women) – Track – 100m sprint, 800m, 10,000m, 4 x 100m relay,… Field – Heptathlon, high & triple jump, pole vault, discuss, javelin, hammer throw,... Road – Walk, Marathon.
There are more disciplines and events played in World Championships for a particular sport than in the Olympiad. QUALIFYING
An NOC cannot just send any athlete to the Olympic Games unless they win in an Olympic qualifying competition organized by International Federations or is awarded a wild card. However, this is not required in the Asian and SEA
Games. The IOC, OCA and SEAGF have restricting guidelines limiting the number of athletes and accompanying officials participating in the Games as a cost and management control measure for the host nation.In order to promote the spirit of Olympism during the Olympic Games, the IOC has a provision for NOCs who do not have any qualified athletes, to send one male and female athlete and one accompanying official for both athletes in Swimming and
Athletics. OCA and SEAGF does not have this provision since they do not require pre-qualifications.FUNDING
Other than having competition venues in compliance with IF standards, part of the requirements to host the Olympic Games is to provide free board & lodging, round trip air tickets, and transportation to and from the venues to all accredited delegates of the NOCs. Accommodations and a 24-hour buffet dining are provided in the Athletes’ Village exclusive to the official delegates only. The one male and one female with one accompanying official is also free-of-charge.
Separately, the IOC provides free board & lodging, airfare and a service vehicle to NOC Presidents and Secretary-Generals only.
Olympic Games in 1984 turned the Games profitability by refurbishing and utilizing existing facilities and temporary structures as competition venues. Recruiting volunteers from all over the globe are now an integral part of running the Games. Two free uniforms and meals (while on duty) are the only material payments they receive.Owed much to its popularity and size, similar subsidies has been adapted in the recent Asian Games. Adequate marketing and sponsorship has played a big role in reaching this level of the Games. Unfortunately this has not happened with the SEA Games simply due to the number of countries and level of competition.
TEMPLATE
The Olympic Games has served as the template for both the Asian and SEA Games. Other multi-sport events such as the Commonwealth Games, Universiade or University Games, World Games, Pan-American Games, All-African, Arab Games, etc... have all used the Olympiad as their model in organizing their Games.
ALL SEASON
The IOC also has the Winter Olympic Games held every four years. The OCA also conducts their Asian Winter Games as well as the Beach Games among others.
SPORTS FOR ALL
ARTS & CULTURE
In every Games, the local arts and culture are given a major role in the festivities prior to and during the Games. Music, dance, visual arts and home stays are highlighted as an integral part of the celebration giving delegates and spectators a taste of the local culture. The opening and closing ceremonies are the show-of-shows spectacularly depicting the history and culture of the host country. The closing ceremony alone is said to cost US$20+ million.
THEN AND NOW
Thanks to the many visionary sportsmen and women who over the decades helped in transforming sports into a huge institution with generous corporate sponsors allowing millions of people to learn a sport that would best fit them adopting a better healthier active lifestyle.
Young or old, tall or short, male or female or whatever gender are now involved in a sport that is either played indoor or outdoor, land or water, in hot or freezing weather, or at sea level or high altitude.
Having been involved with various National Sports Associations and the National Olympic Committee presented opportunities rarely experienced by any sportsman. Directly corresponding to the IOC, OCA, SEAGF, and IFs, partake in the pre-Games planning and preparations, being a member of the contingent, march in the opening and closing ceremonies, having breakfast with the gods, watch the best of the best collide, feel the pain and glory of the athletes as they win or lose, feel the tears of joy and national pride as flags are raised during awarding rites are just few of treasured memories.
As the ancient Olympiad encouraged participants to establish friendly relations between the cities of Greece, the modern Games truly marked a sense of longing for peace and unity among nations especially in the hearts of their athletes.
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS
