THE OLYMPIC GAMESMr Colton, Green Oaks Primary

The Olympic games take place every four years in a major city. Next

summer, they take place in London!

18,000 male and femaleathletes from 52 countries will be competing in 26 different events.

All of the 18,000 athletes have one aim…

To win Olympic gold

But the Olympic Games have not always been like this…

The Olympic games started 2,700 years ago (776 BC) in a place called

Olympia in Greece.

Only one country took part and that was Greece. People from all the main states of Greece travelled from miles

around to compete.

The states of Greece were usually at war against each other, but for the month when the games took place everyone agreed there would be

peace and no fighting.

The games were held in honour of Zeus, King of the Gods.

An Olympic torch was lit and taken to every state in Greece before being carried to the

Olympic opening ceremony. The torch remained lit until the games

were completed. The flame represents light, spirit,

knowledge and life.

The first games had just one event, a sprint from one end of the

stadium to the other.

And yes, competitors were completely naked!

Boxing, Wrestling, Javelin and Discus soon joined the Ancient Greek Olympic

games.

Winners received a green wreath, enjoyed free meals, married rich

women and had the best seats at the theatre.

About 50,000 people could camp and sit in the stadium; it was very hot and

very crowded. Jugglers and acrobats performed.

The games ended with a great feast.

Women were not allowed to watch the Olympics and any woman caught watching

would be punished. Greek women had their own games called Heraia held in honour of Hera, Zeus’ wife.Only Spartan women really liked sports.

Cheats today have their medals taken off them and are banned, but in the Ancient Greek games a cheat had a statue built of them and they went

on cheaters row. Cheats would be so ashamed that they would

have to run away from Greece forever.

Today we are going to have our very own 2011 Green Oaks Games

Taking part in the 2011 Green Oaks Games are the 4 main Greek States:

Sparta – Fire – Spartans win at all costs!Athens – Water – You hate horrible Sparta.

Argos – Earth – Just prove you are a big state.Corinth – Air – Help Argos to beat the vain

Athenians and violent Spartans.

There will be 4 Ancient Greek events (No, NOT wrestling!)

1. Sprinting2. The Marathon

3. Javelin (Weather depending)4. Shot Putt

Before the Games begin, your first task is to design a poster for the

Green Oaks 2011 Olympic Games

Bonus points are up for grabs for the best posters!

Good luck to all competitors and remember a healthy body gives

you a healthy mind.