The Olympics History Research Paper

My group is researching the history of the Olympics, and the question I had was: What are the recognizable symbols of the Olympics, and what is their history/symbolism? The Olympics are distinguished from other sporting events by their identifiable symbols of unity, including the rings, the motto, and the flame. The Olympic rings were first designed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1914, who is considered to be the father of the modern Olympic Games (Miller 30). The symbol consists of five, interlocking rings, each with its own color including: red, green, black, blue, and yellow on a white background (Laing 37). It is a common misconception that the rings represent the continents of the world, but Coubertin explains that the colors were chosen

The very first time the rings were drawn, they appeared on the top of a letter written from Pierre de Coubertin, in 1913. He hand-drew them, and colored them with the five colors the rings still have today (¨The Olympic Symbols¨). Originally, the rings were interlaced in a straight line, but when Coubertin proposed his idea to the Paris Olympic Congress in 1914, they changed the arrangement to what we know today: three rings interlaced with two rings underneath them (¨The Olympic Symbols¨). The symbol was seen for the first time on a flag flying in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1920 at the Olympic Stadium (Laing 37). The flag is traditionally raised during the opening ceremony, and lowered at the closing ceremony. Then, it is handed to the mayor of the city that is hosting the next games, symbolizing the passage of the Olympic spirit to the next city. The International Olympic Committee places very strict rules about the exact positioning and coloring of the rings, including those seen on every flag. The repetition of this exact symbol makes it the most recognizable emblem in the world. Despite its popularity today, the rings did not appear on medals until 1956 in Stockholm (¨The

This motto is meant to serve as a code of conduct for the Olympic Games, with the idea that an athlete should give all of his or her effort to the sport in which they participate (¨The Olympic Symbols¨). The motto was originally proposed to the International Olympic Committee by Henri Didon, a French cleric in 1894, on the day of the Olympic´s creation itself (Guttmann 41). Although the motto is typically used only in the Olympics, the motto in general is meant to serve as a goal of personal excellence for all people, not just for those who participate in the Games (¨The Olympic Symbols¨). The Olympic Creed is very similar to the motto in the way that it is meant to inspire excellence. The creed is a quote by Pierre de Coubertin, reminding the athletes that the honor is in participating in the Olympics themselves, not winning. From the motto and creed together, the Olympic oath was born (¨The Olympic Symbols¨). The oath is taken by an honorary former athlete of the Games, who holds up one corner of his or her country's flag. Representatives from all countries gather in a semi-circle around the athlete, and make the oath together in unison, which states, ¨In the name of all competitors, I promise that we will take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, in