Olympic fever takes over the world
Michael Phelps image from Flickr.
It’s that time again: No one can talk about or think about anything other than the Olympic Games. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is about the Olympics that keeps so many people so completely fascinated, but it is true that once you start watching it’s hard to stop.
So, as a run-of-the-mill American citizen, I decided to learn more about the Olympics, even though I have never even considered getting a personal loan to actually go to the Olympics. Here are some of the tidbits I found out.
1. Olympics as old as dirt
Many people know that the Olympics originally started in Ancient Greece. The first recorded date for the Olympic games was 776 B.C. That means, as far as we know, the Olympics have been around for nearly 3000 years.
2. Religious element
The Ancient Olympic games were not just for sport. Even then, the games were held every four years, and a four-year period was known as an Olympiad. Also the ceremonies included ritual sacrifices honoring Zeus and Pelops, divine hero and mythical king of Olympia.
3. Taking a break
For hundreds of years the Greeks held the Olympic Games, but that was before the Romans took over. The date they stopped holding the Olympics is disputed. Some records say Theodosius I banned the Olympics in 393 AD, when he banned pagan practices. Others say the Olympics ended under Theodosius II when he ordered the destruction of all Greek temples in 426 AD. They weren’t held again for nearly more than 1,000 years. The modern Olympic games began in the late 18th century.
4. France gets extra credit
The idea of the Olympics popped up again in France in 1796. The “L’Olympiade de la Republique” featured many of the same events as the Ancient Olympics, and eventually (over the course of about 100 years) it evolved into the worldwide event it is today.
5. Spreading the joy
Summer and Winter Olympics were held during the same year until 1992. Since the 1994 Winter Olympics the competitions have been staggered. The first Winter Olympics was held in 1908.
6. Money in the Olympics
The Olympic Games and Olympic athletes did not accept corporate sponsorship until 1972. The rule only changed after the head International Olympic Committee died.
7. The small screen
The first time the Olympic Games were televised was 1936, when the Summer Olympics were held in Berlin. The Winter Olympics were not televised until 1956.
8. Back in the old days
Until the 1970s, only non-professional athletes, or those with amateur status, were allowed to compete in the Olympics. Today, professionals may compete in any sport except boxing.
9. The Gold War
During the Cold War, in 1980 and 1984, opponents boycotted each other’s games. The Moscow Olympics were held in 1980, and 65 nations refused to compete. The Soviet Union and 14 of its Eastern Bloc partners boycotted the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.
10. Best of the Best
American swimmer Michael Phelps holds both the record for most gold medals won in a year, eight, and most career gold medals with 14.
Some other interesting Olympic tidbits: The most important events in the ancient Olympics weren't track and field, or gymnastics. The most popular events were boxing, wrestling, and pankratia.
Pankratia would be more or less similar to mixed martial arts, but it literally had only two rules: No Biting, No Gouging of the Eyes, and that was it. Fatalities were fairly common. (There was at least one instance of a competitor being awarded the win posthumously, after it was determined his opponent had cheated – but survived.) That was the Ancient Olympics.
And yet today – what are the most popular events? Track and Field, Gymnastics, and FIGURE SKATING. Now that I think of it, the modern Olympics are for pansies! (Excepting boxing, wrestling, Karate, Judo, hockey, and starting in 2016, Rugby, The Game They Play in Heaven.)