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Page 46 The Olympic spirit 1) Read and match the paragraphs with the correct heading. Paragraph 1 a) Objectives of the Olympic Games Paragraph 2 b) Sports Paragraph 3 c) Why are they so successful? Paragraph 4 d) Wise words from the founder of the Olympic Games At every Olympic Games the following message appears on the scoreboard: ‘The most important thing in the Olympic games is not to win but to participate, just as the most important thing is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to conquer but to fight well’ Pierre de Frèdy, Baron de Coubertin The aims of Olympism are to improve the human race not only physically but to give it a great nobility of spirit, and to strengthen understanding and friendship among people. The five interlocking rings of the Olympic flag aim to reflect the ideal of brotherhood and peace. The blue, yellow, black, green and red represent the five parts of the world joined together in the Olympic movement. The Olympic Games take place every four years in different countries around the world. There are two Olympic sports events: The Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. In the former, representatives of 28 sports participate, including archery, baseball, football, sailing, gymnastics, hockey and swimming. The latter, includes only 7 sports: biathlon, curling, skiing, ice hockey, bobsleigh, luge and skating. The importance of the Olympic Games lies in the magic relationship between the athletes and the millions and millions of spectators. Dedication, sacrifice, friendship, honour and fair play are some of the driving values of the Olympic spirit and a key reason for their immense popularity. 2) Answer the questions: a) What is more important in the Olympic games? Winning or taking part? b) What is there in the Olympic flag? What does it represent?
