Chapter 12
The Olympic Games
1. Why are the Olympic Games named after Olympia?
Answer: The Olympic Games are named after Olympia because they were first held in ancient times at Olympia in Greece. This place is considered the original site of the Games.
2. Who is believed to have started the first Olympic Games in ancient Greece?
Answer: According to legend, Hercules is believed to have started the first Olympic Games in ancient Greece nearly three thousand years ago.
3. What is the legend of King Oenomaus in the origin of the Olympics?
Answer: The legend says King Oenomaus of Elis challenged young men to race his chariot to win his daughter Hippodamia. Many failed and were killed, until Pelops succeeded.
4. Who was Pelops and why is he important in Olympic history?
Answer: Pelops was a young man who won the chariot race against King Oenomaus. After becoming king and marrying Hippodamia, he is believed to have started the Games as thanksgiving to Zeus.
5. Why did Pelops start the Olympic Games according to legend?
Answer: Pelops started the Olympic Games to thank God Zeus for his success in the chariot race and for becoming king.
6. How did the ancient Olympic Games begin to change over time?
Answer: Initially, the Games were held to honour gods, but gradually they became organised sporting competitions including running, jumping, wrestling, and chariot racing.
7. Why were the Olympic Games banned in ancient times?
Answer: The Games were banned by a Christian Emperor named Theodosius, who completely stopped them.
8. Who revived the modern Olympic Games?
Answer: The modern Olympic Games were revived by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a Frenchman who believed in the importance of physical development.
9. When was the idea of reviving the Olympic Games accepted?
Answer: The idea was accepted in 1894 by an International Athletic Congress held in Paris.
10. When and where were the first modern Olympic Games held?
Answer: The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece in 1896.
11. What is the main aim of the modern Olympic Games?
Answer: The main aim of the modern Olympic Games is to promote friendship and understanding among nations.
12. What does the Olympic symbol represent?
Answer: The Olympic symbol represents five interlocking rings that stand for the unity of the continents of the world in friendship.
13. What do the five Olympic rings signify?
Answer: The five rings represent the continents of the world, and their interlocking design shows global unity and friendship.
14. What is special about the colours of the Olympic rings?
Answer: The colours blue, yellow, black, green, and red appear in the flags of all countries of the world.
15. What awards are given in the Olympic Games?
Answer: Winners receive gold medals for first place, silver for second, and bronze for third, along with certificates.
16. How were winners rewarded in ancient Olympic Games?
Answer: In ancient times, winners were rewarded with a wreath made of olive leaves instead of medals.
17. Why are Olympic Games held in different cities?
Answer: The Games are held in different cities to give equal opportunity to countries and to promote international participation.
18. What is an Olympic Village?
Answer: An Olympic Village is a special residential area where athletes from all over the world stay during the Games.
19. What is the purpose of an athletic stadium in the Olympics?
Answer: An athletic stadium allows multiple sports events to take place at the same time, including track and field events.
20. What are track events in the Olympics?
Answer: Track events include running races such as sprints, long-distance races, hurdles, and relay races.
21. What is a sprint race?
Answer: A sprint is a short-distance running race where athletes run at their maximum speed.
22. What is a relay race?
Answer: A relay race is a team event in which runners pass a baton to teammates during different sections of the race.
23. What are field events in the Olympics?
Answer: Field events include javelin throw, discus throw, shot put, pole vault, long jump, and high jump.
24. Which Olympic events attract the most competitors?
Answer: Track and field events attract the largest number of competitors in the Olympic Games.
25. Name some other Olympic sports mentioned in the lesson.
Answer: Other sports include archery, swimming, boxing, wrestling, weightlifting, cycling, gymnastics, and fencing.
26. What are Winter Olympic Games?
Answer: Winter Olympic Games include sports like skiing, ice hockey, figure skating, and speed skating.
27. Who can participate in the Olympic Games?
Answer: Only amateur athletes who are citizens or representatives of their countries can participate.
28. What is meant by an amateur athlete?
Answer: An amateur athlete is a person who plays sports for passion and not for money.
29. What is the significance of the Olympic oath?
Answer: Athletes take an oath promising to compete fairly and respect the rules of the Games.
30. What happens during the Parade of Nations?
Answer: All athletes march together around the stadium representing their countries during the opening ceremony.
Answer by Mrinmoee
