Топик про олимпийские игры на английском языке. Олимпийские игры

archery [ ˈɑːtʃəri ] стрельба из лука artistic gymnastics [ ɑːˈtɪstɪk dʒɪmˈnæstɪks ] спортивная гимнастика athletics [ æθˈletɪks ] лёгкая атлетика badminton [ ˈbædmɪntən ] бадминтон basketball [ ˈbɑːskɪtbɔːl ] баскетбол bmx [ biː em eks ] bmx (велоспорт) boxing [ ˈbɒksɪŋ ] бокс canoe / kayak (sprint) [ kəˈnuː ] [ ˈkaɪæk ] [ sprɪnt ] гребля на байдарках и каноэ (спринт) diving [ ˈdaɪvɪŋ ] прыжки в воду dressage (equestrian) [ ˈdresɑːʒ ] [ ɪˈkwestrɪən ] выездка (конный спорт) eventing (equestrian) [ ɪˈventɪŋ ] [ ɪˈkwestrɪən ] троеборье (конный спорт) fencing [ ˈfensɪŋ ] фехтование field hockey [ fiːld ˈhɒki ] хоккей на траве football [ ˈfʊtbɔːl ] freestyle (wrestling) [ ˈfriːstaɪl ] [ ˈresl̩ɪŋ ] вольная борьба greco-roman (wrestling) [ ˌɡrekoˈromən ] [ ˈresl̩ɪŋ ] греко-римская борьба judo [ ˈdʒuːdəʊ ] дзюдо jumping (equestrian) [ ˈdʒʌmpɪŋ ] [ ɪˈkwestrɪən ] конкур (конный спорт) handball [ ˈhændbɔːl ] гандбол modern pentathlon [ ˈmɒdn̩ penˈtæθlən ] современное пятиборье mountain biking [ ˈmaʊntɪn ˈbaɪkɪŋ ] маунтинбайк (велоспорт) rhythmic gymnastics [ ˈrɪðmɪk dʒɪmˈnæstɪks ] художественная гимнастика road cycling [ rəʊd ˈsaɪkl̩ɪŋ ] шоссейные гонки (велоспорт) swimming [ ˈswɪmɪŋ ] плавание synchronized swimming [ ˈsɪŋkrənaɪzd ˈswɪmɪŋ ] синхронное плавание track cycling [ træk ˈsaɪkl̩ɪŋ ] трековые гонки (велоспорт) trampoline [ ˈtræmpəliːn ] прыжки на батуте volleyball (beach) [ ˈvɒlɪbɔːl ] [ biːtʃ ] пляжный волейбол volleyball (indoor) [ ˈvɒlɪbɔːl ] [ ˈɪndɔː ] волейбол water polo [ ˈwɔːtə ˈpəʊləʊ ] водное поло rowing [ ˈraʊɪŋ ] академическая гребля sailing [ ˈseɪlɪŋ ] парусный спорт shooting [ ˈʃuːtɪŋ ] стрельба table tennis [ ˈteɪbl̩ ˈtenɪs ] настольный теннис taekwondo [ ˈtæˌkwɑːnˈdəʊ ] тхэквондо tennis [ ˈtenɪs ] теннис triathlon [ traɪˈæθlən ] триатлон weightlifting [ ˈweɪtlɪftɪŋ ] тяжёлая атлетика

2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Events	[ tuː ˈθaʊzn̩d ˌfɔːˈtiːn əˈlɪmpɪk ənd ˌperəˈlɪmpɪk ˈwɪntə ɡeɪmz ɪˈvents ]
Olympic Winter Games of 2014 in Sochi	[ əˈlɪmpɪk ˈwɪntə ɡeɪmz əv tuː ˈθaʊzn̩d ˌfɔːˈtiːn ɪn ˈsotʃi ]	Олимпийские зимние игры 2014 года в Сочи
winter olympic sports	[ ˈwɪntər əˈlɪmpɪk spɔːts ]
alpine skiing	[ ˈælpaɪn ˈskiːɪŋ ]	горные лыжи / горнолыжный спорт
biathlon	[ baɪ"æθlən ]	биатлон
bobsleigh (BrE) / bobsled (AmE)	[ ˈbɒbsleɪ ] [ ˈbɒbsled ]	бобслей
cross-country skiing	[ krɒs ˈkʌntri ˈskiːɪŋ ]	лыжные гонки
curling	[ ˈkɜːlɪŋ ]	кёрлинг
figure skating	[ ˈfɪɡə [ ˈskeɪtɪŋ ]	фигурное катание (на коньках)
freestyle (skiing)	[ ˈfriːstaɪl ] [ ˈskiːɪŋ ]	(лыжный) фристайл
ice hockey	[ aɪs ˈhɒki ]
luge	[ luːʒ ]	санный спорт
nordic combined	[ ˈnɔːdɪk kəmˈbaɪnd ]	лыжное двоеборье
short track (speed skating)	[ ʃɔːt træk ] [ spiːd ˈskeɪtɪŋ ]	шорт-трек
skeleton	[ ˈskelɪtn̩ ]	скелетон
ski jumping	[ skiː ˈdʒʌmpɪŋ ]	прыжки на лыжах с трамплина
snowboarding	[ "snəubɔːdɪŋ ]	сноубординг
(long track) speed skating	[ ˈlɒŋ træk ] [ spiːd ˈskeɪtɪŋ ]	скоростной бег на коньках (конькобежный спорт)

Olympic vocabulary	[ əˈlɪmpɪk vəˈkæbjʊləri ]
amateur	[ ˈæmətə ]	любитель
anthem	[ ˈænθəm ]	гимн
banned	[ bænd ]	запрещенный
broadcaster	[ ˈbrɔːdkɑːstə ]	ведущий / комментатор
compete	[ kəmˈpiːt ]	соревноваться
contestant	[ kənˈtestənt ]	участник соревнований
controversy	[ ˈkɒntrəvɜːsi ]	разногласие
doping	[ ˈdəʊpɪŋ ]	допинг
facilities	[ fəˈsɪlɪtɪz ]	(cпортивные) сооружения
fanfare	[ ˈfænfeə ]	фанфары
host	[ həʊst ]	страна-хозяйка олимпиады
humanity	[ hjuːˈmænɪti ]	человечество
mascot	[ ˈmæskət ]	талисман
medal	[ ˈmedl̩ ]	медаль
motto	[ ˈmɒtəʊ ]	девиз
nationality	[ ˌnæʃəˈnælɪti ]	гражданство
oath	[ əʊθ ]	клятва
participant	[ pɑːˈtɪsɪpənt ]	участник
partisanship	[ ˌpɑːtɪˈzænʃɪp ]	несправедливое судейство (обычно по политическим причинам)
postpone	[ ˌpəust"pəun]	перенести (начало соревнований)
preliminaries	[ prɪˈlɪmɪnərɪz ]	предварительные соревнования
purity	[ ˈpjʊərɪti ]	чистота
qualify	[ ˈkwɒlɪfaɪ ]	пройти квалификацию на соответствие минимальным требованиям
representative	[ ˌreprɪˈzentətɪv ]	представитель
security	[ sɪˈkjʊərɪti ]	охранник
spectator	[ spekˈteɪtə ]	зритель
sponsor	[ ˈspɒnsə ]	спонсор
spokesman	[ ˈspəʊksmən ]	человек (часто - спортсмен), представляющий компанию на рынке или в сми
sportsmanship	[ ˈspɔːtsmənʃɪp ]	спортивный дух честности и справедливости
stamina	[ ˈstæmɪnə ]	выносливость
standings	[ ˈstændɪŋz ]	положение в турнирной таблице
substitute	[ ˈsʌbstɪtjuːt ]	запасной игрок, выходящий на замену
swifter	[ ˈswɪftə ]	быстрее
symbol	[ ˈsɪmbl̩ ]	символ
torch	[ tɔːtʃ ]	факел
venue	[ ˈvenjuː ]	место проведения игр, (спортивная площадка и т. п.)
victory	[ ˈvɪktəri ]	победа

Summer Olympic Games (Text)

By Kenneth Beare

The Summer Olympic Games will be held in London, England beginning July 17, 2012. Competitors from around the world will compete for the gold, silver or bronze medals. For some athletes, winning is not a real possibility. However, they will strive to set personal and / or national bests in their events. Of course, many world records will also be broken during these games. The intensely competitive nature of the games, the strong national pride involved and the challenge in facing the best athletes from around the world combine to demand the top performances from each individual.

In a world where soccer (football), basketball, golf and tennis dominate television broadcasts, the Summer Olympic Games provide a chance to observe sports not usually covered. When was the last time you watched water polo, or fencing? Chances are you watched them during the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Greece. In this age when many people are fortunate enough to have cable TV connections, spectators can watch a wide variety of athletic competitions.

Athletics and wrestling are probably the oldest sports in the Olympic Games. The tradition of these sports goes back to the original games held in ancient Greece over 2500 years ago. Some of my favorite events include the javelin throw, the high jump and the pole vault, as well as the hurdles. There will also be a wide variety of water sports that include canoeing, sailing and diving. Naturally, swimming is probably the most popular water sport with a wide variety of competitive events including backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle and more.

The summer games also include a number of events that have recently been introduced to the games. Kayaking and mountain biking, baseball and beach volleyball are just a few. I certainly haven"t mentioned all the sports - who would want to miss gymnastics - but you get the idea. Turn on your TV, relax and enjoy a moment of peace and togetherness in this struggling world of ours. The Summer Olympic Games provides an example that we all should follow: competition with respect.

The Olympic Games are an international sports competition which are held every four years in a different city. Thousands of athletes from all over the world compete against each other in individual and team sports. Over 1 billion people watch the games on TV.

The first Olympic Games were held in Greece in 776 B.C. They were called the ancient games and lasted until the 4th century A.D. The modern games began in 1896, when the Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin revived the games to bring peace and friendship to the young people all over the world.

Today, there are summer and winter games. Up to 1994 both games were held in the same year, but now they are staged two years apart from each other.

Ceremonies and symbols

The Olympic Games begin with the opening ceremony. Athletes from all the participating nations march into the stadium. Greece comes in first, because it was the first nation to hold the Olympics and the host nation comes in last.

The Olympic flag is raised and a chosen athlete lights the Olympic flame. It is a symbol of spirit, knowledge and life. The fire comes from Olympia, a small town in Greece and many runners transport the flame in a torch relay to the site of the games. It burns from the opening ceremony until the end of the games.

The Olympic rings were created in 1913 and represent the five continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Americas).

All athletes must take the Olympic oath. One of them has to promise that all athletes will give their best and compete in a fair way.

After each event, medals are given to the first three athletes. They receive gold, silver and bronze medals. Their flags are raised and the national anthem of the winner"s country is played.

The International Olympic Committee

The IOC is the organisation that governs the games. It decides which sports and events are held at the games. The IOC also selects the host city for the summer and winter games, at least seven years before they take place. Cities that want the games must show that

They have enough stadiums for all events
they have enough room for all the athletes
they can provide safety for the athletes
they can transport athletes and spectators from one event to another

Host cities must build an Olympic village where all athletes live during the games.

How can athletes take part?

Normally, each country decides for itself which sportsmen and –women are allowed to take part. Athletes must qualify for the games by winning or doing well in competitions before the Olympic Games start.

Athletes, who are sent to the games by their country must be a citizen of that country. For years, only amateurs were able to participate in the games, but today, most athletes are professionals, who earn their money through sport.

Most governments give their team money so that it can take part in the games.

The ancient Games

The ancient Olympic Games were celebrated at Olympia, Greece every four years. They were held in honour of the god Zeus. In the early games, only Greek men were allowed to participate. The games consisted of sports like footraces, wrestling, boxing, the pentathlon and horse racing. The last event of the games was usually a chariot race.

When the Romans conquered Greece in 140 B.C. the games started to lose their religious meaning and in 393 the Roman emperor banned the event.

The Summer Games

The Summer Games are held during the summer season of the host country. They last for 16 days. Today, there are more than 270 events during the games. Over 15,000 athletes from 190 nations take part.

The next Summer Games will be held in London (2012).

The Winter Games

The first separate Winter Games were held in Chamonix, France in 1924. They usually take place in February. Today, the Winter Olympics include over 60 events. Athletes from more than 60 countries participate.

Politics and the Olympic Games

In the past, the Olympic Games have been disturbed by political issues. In 1936 the IOC chose Berlin as the site for the 1936 Summer Games. A few years later, Adolf Hitler"s Nazi Party rose to power and Hitler used the games to show Germany"s power.

In 1968 two Black American runners protested against their government and raised their fists when the American national anthem was played.

In 1980 the USA-and many other countries-didn"t send athletes to the games in Moscow because the Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan a year before. In return, the Russians and other Communist countries refused to take part in the 1984 games in Los Angeles.

The worst day in Olympic history came on September 5th, 1972 during the Munich games. Eight Palestinian terrorists broke into the Olympic village and killed two Israeli athletes. 9 others were taken hostage. They wanted the Israeli government to set free over 400 Arab prisoners in Israel. During a battle with German policemen all hostages and the terrorists were killed.

Olympia today

The Olympic Games have become very successful over the past years. More and more people are able to watch them on TV and television stations are spending more money for the rights to broadcast the games. The IOC earns more money than ever before. With this money they help athletes in poorer countries.

Drugs have become a big problem. Some athletes take drugs before and during the games in order to help their muscles grow. When they are caught they are disqualified and their medals are taken away from them.

M any people all over the world are interested in sport. Sport helps people to stay healthy and makes them more organized and better disciplined in their daily activities.

They have always paid great attention to sport in our schools, colleges and universities. You can hardly find a school without a gym or a sportsground. Every city and town has a few stadiums or swimming pools, where local or even international competitions are usually held. Traditionally, sport could be divided into professional and amateur sport.

Former Soviet Union and later Ukrainian and Russian sportsmen have set a great number of world records in gymnastics, weightlifting, tennis, swimming, running, high jumping, etc. Our sportsmen also participate in the Olympic Games and always win gold, silver and bronze medals.

The Olympic Games have long history. They started in 776 ВС in Greece and took place every four years for nearly twelve centuries at Olympia. They included many different kinds of sports. All the cities in Greece sent their best athletes to Olympia to compete in the Games. When the Games took place, all the wars stopped. So, the Olympic Games became the symbol of peace and friendship.

Now, there are Summer and Winter Olympic Games. They are held separately. There are always several cities wishing to host the Games. The International Committee of Olympic Games selects the most suitable. After that, the host city starts its preparations for the competitions, constructs new sport facilities, or reconstructs them, reconstructs stadiums, hotels, press centres, etc. Thousand of athletes, journalists and guests arrive to the Games, and it takes great efforts to arrange everything.

Russia joined the Olympic movement in 1952. In 1980, Moscow hosted the twenty-second Olympic Games. The latest . Olympic Games were held in Sydney, Australia. Our sportsmen won medals in many sports. Next Olympic Games take place in Greece, the Motherland of these games.

Перевод

Спорт и Олимпийские игры

M ногие люди во всем мире интересуются спортом. Спорт помогает людям оставаться здоровыми и делает их более организованными, лучше дисциплинированными в их повседневной работе.

В наших школах, колледжах и университетах спорту всегда уделяли большое внимание. Вы едва найдете школу, где нет физкультуры или спортивных площадок. Каждый город и городок имеет несколько стадионов или плавательных бассейнов, где обычно проводятся местные или даже международные соревнования. Традиционно спорт делится на профессиональный и любительский.

Спортсмены Советского Союза, а позднее украинские и российские спортсмены установили много мировых рекордов в гимнастике, тяжелой атлетике, теннисе, плавании, беге, прыжках в высоту и т. д. Наши спортсмены участвуют в Олимпийских играх и всегда выигрывают золотые, серебряные и бронзовые медали.

У Олимпийских игр длинная история. Они начались в 776 году до н.э. в Греции и проводились в Олимпии:каждые четыре года в течение почти двенадцати столетий. Они включали в себя много различных спортивных состязаний. Все города Греции посылали своих лучших атлетов в Олимпию, чтобы соревноваться на Олимпийских играх. Во время Олимпийских игр все войны прекращались. Таким образом, Олимпийские игры стали символом мира и дружбы.

Теперь Олимпийские игры делятся на Летние и Зимние Олимпийские игры. Они проводятся отдельно. Всегда есть несколько городов, желающих стать хозяевами проведения Олимпийских игр. Международный Олимпийский комитет выбирает самый подходящий город. После этого город, в котором будут проводиться Игры, начинает свои приготовления к соревнованиям - строят новые спортивные сооружения, восстанавливают стадионы, гостиницы, пресс-центры и т. д. Тысячи атлетов, журналистов и гостей приезжают на Игры и нужно много потрудиться, чтобы всех устроить.

Россия присоединилась к Олимпийскому движению в 1952 году. В 1980 Москва принимала гостей на двадцать вторых Олимпийских играх. Последние Олимпийские игры прошли в Сиднее, Австралия. Наши спортсмены выиграли медали во многих спортивных состязаниях. Следующие Олимпийские игры пройдут в Греции, на родине этих игр.

Olympic Games.

According to historical records, the first ancient Olympic Games can be traced back to 776 BC. They were dedicated to the Olympian gods and were staged on the ancient plains of Olympia. They continued for nearly 12 centuries, until Emperor Theodosius decreed in 393 A.D. that all such "pagan cults" be banned.

Olympia

Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, is in the western part of the Peloponnese which, according to Greek mythology, is the island of "Pelops", the founder of the Olympic Games. Imposing temples, votive buildings, elaborate shrines and ancient sporting facilities were combined in a site of unique natural and mystical beauty. Olympia functioned as a meeting place for worship and other religious 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 and religion

The Olympic Games were closely linked to the religious festivals of the cult of Zeus, but were not an integral part of a rite. Indeed, they had a secular character and aimed to show the physical qualities and evolution of the performances accomplished by young people, as well as encouraging good relations between the cities of Greece. According to specialists, the Olympic Games owed their purity and importance to religion.

Victory Ceremonies

The Olympic victor received his first awards 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 award ceremony would take place on the last day of the Games, at the elevated vestibule of the temple of Zeus. In a loud voice, the herald would announce the name of the Olympic winner, his father"s name, and his homeland. Then, the Hellanodikis placed the sacred olive tree wreath, or kotinos, on the winner"s head.

Викторина по теме "Олимпийские игры" .

Olympic Games Quiz 1. How often are the Olympic Games held? Every year Every two years Every four years 2. How many rings are there in the Olympic Games symbol? four five 3. What do they represent? Countries of the world Continents of the world Cities of the world 4. When will the next Summer Olympics be held? 2012 2014 2016 5. Where will the next Winter Olympics be held? London Sochi Rio de Janeiro 6. Where were the first modern Olympics played? 1896 1900 1924 7. Who was the ‘inventor’ of the modern Olympic Games? Pierre de Coubertin Juan Antonio Samaranch Jacques Rogge 8. What do the sportsmen who come first, second and third win in the Olympics? Certificates Equipment Medals 9. Where are The International Olympic Committee based? France Switzerland Spain 10. How many people play in a Water Polo team? Five Seven.

Summer olympic sports	Летние олимпийские виды спорта
Archery	Стрельба из лука
Artistic gymnastics	Художественная гимнастика
Athletics	Лёгкая атлетика
Badminton	Бадминтон
Basketball	Баскетбол
	BMX (велоспорт)
Boxing	Бокс
Canoe/kayak (sprint)	Гребля на байдарках и каноэ (спринт)
Diving	Прыжки в воду
Dressage (Equestrian)	Выездка (конный спорт)
Eventing (Equestrian)	Троеборье (конный спорт)
Fencing	Фехтование
Field hockey	Хоккей на траве
Football	Футбол
Freestyle (Wrestling)	Вольная борьба
Greco-Roman (Wrestling)	Греко-римская борьба
Judo	Дзюдо
Jumping (Equestrian)	Конкур (конный спорт)
Handball	Гандбол
Modern pentathlon	Современное пятиборье
Mountain biking	Маунтинбайк (велоспорт)
Rhythmic gymnastics	Спортивная гимнастика
Road cycling	Шоссейные гонки (велоспорт)
Swimming	Плавание
Synchronized swimming	Синхронное плавание
Track cycling	Трековые гонки (велоспорт)
Trampoline	Прыжки на батуте
Volleyball (beach)	Пляжный волейбол
Volleyball (indoor)	Волейбол
Water polo	Водное поло
Rowing	Академическая гребля
Sailing	Парусный спорт
Shooting	Стрельба
Table tennis	Настольный теннис
Taekwondo	Тхэквондо
Tennis	Теннис
Triathlon	Триатлон
Weightlifting	Тяжёлая атлетика

Winter olympic sports	Зимние олимпийские виды спорта
Alpine skiing	Горнолыжный спорт
Biathlon	Биатлон
Bobsleigh	Бобслей
Cross country skiing	Лыжные гонки
Curling	Кёрлинг
Figure skating	Фигурное катание
Freestyle skiing	Фристайл (Лыжные виды спорта)
Ice hockey	Хоккей
Luge	Санный спорт
Nordic combined	Лыжное двоеборье
Short track speed skating	Шорт-трек (Коньковые виды спорта)
Skeleton	Скелетон
Ski jumping	Прыжки с трамплина
Snowboarding	Сноубординг
Speed skating	Конькобежный спорт

Olympic vocabulary	Олимпийская лексика
Amateur	Любитель
Anthem	Гимн
Banned	Запрещенный
Broadcaster	Ведущий/диктор/комментатор
Compete	Соревноваться
Contestant	Участник соревнований
Controversy	Разногласие
Doping	Допинг
Facilities	(Cпортивные) сооружения
Fanfare	Фанфары
Host	Страна-хозяйка Олимпиады
Humanity	Человечество
Medal	Медаль
Motto	Девиз
Nationality	Гражданство
Oath	Клятва
Participant	Участник
Partisanship	Несправедливое судейство (обычно по политическим причинам)
Postpone	Перенести (начало соревнований)
Preliminaries	Предварительные соревнования
Purity	Чистота
Qualify	Пройти квалификацию на соответствие минимальным требованиям
Representative	Представитель
Security	Охранник
Spectator	Зритель
Sponsor	Спонсор
Spokesman	Человек (часто - спортсмен), представляющий компанию на рынке или в СМИ
Sportsmanship	Спортивный дух честности и справедливости
Stamina	Выносливость
Standings	Положение в турнирной таблице
Substitute	Запасной игрок, выходящий на замену
Swifter	Быстрее
Symbol	Символ
Torch	Факел
Venue	Место проведения игр (спортивная площадка и т. д.)
Victory	Победа

The Olympic Games are known to us since the days of ancient Greece, whence came the expression - "in a healthy body - a healthy mind". The Greeks paid special attention to sports and loaded themselves with physical exertion in order to always be in good physical shape in case of military actions. Sports competitions, gladiator fights, chariot competitions began to take place in the Mount Olympus. Each participant demonstrated his dexterity, courage, strength, speed.

Later, with the advent of the Romans on the territory of Greece, the Olympic Games began to be held less and less, and at the beginning of the eighth century, the authorities declared them a pagan rite and banned.

In 1894, the International Congress of Sports decided new rules for the games and, in 1896, the Olympic Games began to be held again every four years. Later the International Olympic Committee was created which selected the city for each regular game. The goal of the Olympic Games was to give every athlete the opportunity to play for his country in fair competition.

The most famous symbol of the Olympic Games is the image of five interconnected rings. Rings represent the union of five continents.

In 1928, Amsterdam first lit the Olympic flame, as a symbol of the will to win. Since then, the fire is lit before the start of each game, and it burns to the very end.

Олимпийские игры известны нам ещё со времён Древней Греции, откуда пришло выражение - "в здоровом теле - здоровый дух". Греки уделяли особое внимание спорту и нагружали себя физическими нагрузками, чтобы на случай военных действий всегда быть в хорошей физической форме. На горе Олимп начали устраиваться спортивные состязания, бои гладиаторов, соревнования на колесницах. Каждый участник демонстрировал свою ловкость, смелость, силу, скорость.

Позже, с появлением римлян на территории Греции, Олимпийские игры стали проводиться все реже и реже, и в начале восьмого века власти объявили их языческим обрядом и запретили.

В 1894 году году Международный спортивный конгресс постановил новые правила проведения игр и с 1896 году Олимпийские игры начали проводиться вновь через каждые четыре года. Позже был создан Международный олимпийский комитет, который выбирал город для проведения каждых очередных игр. Целью Олимпийских игр являлось дать возможность каждому спортсмену выступить за свою страну в честных состязаниях.

Самым известным символом Олимпийских игр является изображение пяти колец соединённых между собой. Кольца представляют объединение пяти континентов.

В 1928 году в Амстердаме впервые зажегся Олимпийский огонь, как символ воли к победе. С тех пор огонь зажигают перед началом каждых игр, и он горит до самого их завершения.