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Olympic
Flag
The
Olympic Flag has five interlocking, colored rings displayed on
a white background. The five colors of the rings are blue, black, red, yellow, and green. Atleast one of each
of these colors can be found on the flag of every nation. The
five rings are rumored to represent the five continents that
send athletes to the Olympic Games. Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. Interesting enough, North and South
America are represented together. Antarctica is not represented
because it does not send athletes to the Olympic Games.
Olympic
Flame
The
tradition of the Olympic Flame can be traced back to Ancient
Greek tradition where an enternal flame, lit by the sun's
rays, burned at the alter of Zeus. In 1952 the Torch Relay
was introduced into tradition in connection to the Olympic Flame.
Today the Torch Relay is lit in Olympia, Greece and is
carried to the host city.
Olympic
Motto
The
Olympic Motto is "Citius, altius, fortius" which translates to "Swifter, higher, stronger."
Olympic
Creed and Oath
Creed - "The
most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to
take part, just as the most important thing in life is not triumph,
but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered,
but to have fought well."
Oath - ""We swear
that we will take part in these Olympic Games in the true spirit
of sportmanship, and that we will respect and abide by the rules
that govern them, for the glory of sport and the honor of our
country."
Opening
and Closing Cemeonies
During
the Opening ceremony athletes
parade into the stadium.
The order of enterance into the stadium is always the same with
the Greek team entering first followed by the other teams in
alphabetical order according to the language of the host country.
The host country always enters the stadium last. Teams come dressed
in their official uniforms. One member from each team is choosen
to carry their nation's flag into the stadium. Welcome speeches
are given and the Games are declared open. The Olympic flag is raised and a runner
will enter the stadium carrying the torch which will light the
Olympic
flame
which will burn throughout the games. Athletes recite the Olympic oath and the fanfare begins!
At the conclusion
of the games a Closing ceremony takes place
where six delegates from each nation enter the stadium together
in a show of friendship and peace. The Olympic flame is extinguished and Olympic flag will be lowered. The
host country will pass the flag onto the mayor of the next host
city and we will wait two years for the Winter Olympics to begin!
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