🥇 La HISTORIA de los JUEGOS OLÍMPICOS en 12 minutos | Historia, curiosidades y hazañas de los JJOO

Summary

The Olympic Games, originating in ancient Greece, have evolved significantly over the centuries. From the first games in 776 BCE to the modern Olympics revived by Pierre de Coubertin in 1896, the Games have seen major milestones. Key moments include the inclusion of women in 1900, the introduction of medals in 1904, and the creation of the torch relay in 1928. Technological advancements, political boycotts, and groundbreaking performances have shaped the Games, with athletes like Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt leaving lasting legacies. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021, marked by COVID-19, highlighted the Games' ongoing relevance and global unity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Olympic Games originated in Ancient Greece in 776 BC as a result of hunting ceremonies and were initially only open to free, wealthy, Greek men.
• 😀 The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 in Athens, with 14 nations and 280 athletes participating across nine sports.
• 😀 In 1900, women were allowed to participate in the Olympics for the first time, and the Olympic motto 'Citius, Altius, Fortius' (Faster, Higher, Stronger) was introduced.
• 😀 The 1904 Olympics in St. Louis marked the first use of gold, silver, and bronze medals for the top three athletes in each event.
• 😀 The 1912 Stockholm Games introduced the concept of a photo finish and the use of electric timing, even though many judges initially preferred manual watches.
• 😀 The iconic Olympic symbol with five interlocking rings was officially adopted in 1915, representing the five inhabited continents.
• 😀 The 1924 Paris Olympics saw the introduction of the Winter Games and the first Olympic Village to house athletes.
• 😀 The 1932 Los Angeles Olympics were the first to be held in just 16 days and saw the youngest-ever Olympic gold medalist, 14-year-old Kusuo Kitamura from Japan.
• 😀 The 1968 Mexico City Games were revolutionary, introducing drug testing, gender verification, and the first live satellite broadcast of the event.
• 😀 The 1980 Moscow Olympics were overshadowed by a boycott led by the United States, but saw Soviet swimmer Alexander Ditiatin win eight medals, a record at the time.
• 😀 The 2008 Beijing Olympics became the most expensive in history, costing over $44 billion, and featured Michael Phelps’ historic 8 gold medals.
• 😀 The 2021 Tokyo Olympics were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the first Olympic Games to be held without a public audience due to strict safety protocols.

Q & A

What was the origin of the Olympic Games?

The Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece, where they were part of religious ceremonies honoring Zeus. Initially, they evolved from hunting rituals and became a celebration held in Olympia in 776 BCE.

Who were the only athletes allowed to compete in the early Olympic Games?

In the early Olympic Games, only free, wealthy Greek men were allowed to compete. Women and slaves were excluded from the competition.

What did the winners of the ancient Olympic Games receive?

Winners of the ancient Olympic Games were awarded a crown of laurel, as well as honor and glory. They were treated as heroes and their food was guaranteed for life.

When were the modern Olympic Games revived, and who played a significant role in their revival?

The modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896 in Athens, thanks to the efforts of Pierre de Coubertin, a French baron who founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894.

Why were the first Olympic Games in 1896 held without gold medals?

The first Olympic Games in 1896 did not feature gold medals due to economic constraints. Instead, silver medals were awarded to first-place winners, while second-place athletes received a bronze medal and a laurel crown.

What was the significance of the 1900 Paris Olympics?

The 1900 Paris Olympics were significant because they marked the first participation of women in the Games and introduced the Olympic motto 'Citius, Altius, Fortius,' which means 'Faster, Higher, Stronger.'

What event in the 1908 London Olympics was unique in Olympic history?

The 1908 London Olympics were unique because they included motorized canoe competitions, which remains the only time in Olympic history that motorized events were part of the Games.

What innovation in timing was introduced at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics?

The 1912 Stockholm Olympics introduced the 'photo finish' technique, an early rudimentary method to determine winners in races when the timing was very close, and also featured the use of the electric stopwatch.

Which event in the 1968 Mexico Olympics was politically significant?

At the 1968 Mexico Olympics, American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos made the 'Black Power' salute on the podium in protest against racial discrimination in the U.S., which became a significant political gesture in Olympic history.

What happened during the 1972 Munich Olympics that shocked the world?

The 1972 Munich Olympics were marred by a terrorist attack when a Palestinian group took 11 Israeli athletes and coaches hostage, leading to their tragic deaths. This event significantly impacted the Games and the safety measures thereafter.