The most important attributes of the global Olympic movement are Olympic symbols, including a five-ring flag, fire, salute, oath, anthem, slogan, emblem, medals, olive branch and talismans. The International Olympic Committee uses these attributes to promote the ideas of the Olympic movement in the world.
One of the main elements without which the symbolism of the Olympic Games is unthinkable is the flag. It is a white silk cloth on which five intertwined rings of different colors are embroidered, symbolizing the five continents. In the upper row there are three rings: blue (Europe), black (Africa) and red (America), and in the bottom two: yellow symbolizes Asia, and green - Australia.
The
Olympic flag is authored by Pierre de Coubertin. The flag was introduced in 1913, and as the Olympic symbolism was first used in 1920 in Antwerp, where the seventh Olympic Games were held.
An equally important attribute of the Olympic Games is the Olympic flame. The tradition of its lighting appeared in ancient Greece, when these sports began to be held there. The fire reminded of the
feat of Prometheus, who, according to legend, stole it from Zeus and presented it to people.
The tradition of lighting the Olympic flame was revived in 1928. Fire, as Olympic symbolism, has been used to date. In 1936, during the Berlin Olympic Games, for the first time, it was decided to hold the Olympic torch relay. This idea was proposed by
Joseph Goebbels. More than three thousand runners took part in the delivery of the torch from distant Olympia directly to Berlin. Since then, a few months before the opening of the next Olympic Games, sacred fire is lit in his homeland in Olympia (Greece) and delivered to the city with the baton, which is honored to host the Olympic Games.
Such Olympic symbols, like a hymn, like an oath, and a motto, have been an integral ritual element of all the Olympic Games for several decades.
The anthem was written in 1896 by the Greek opera composer Spiro Samara and the Greek poet Konstantinos Palam. In 1958, it was officially approved by the IOC.
In 1913, Pierre de Cupertin developed the text of the Olympic vow. She expresses the idea of uniting all youth at a sports festival. It was first pronounced at the games of 1920.
The Latin Olympic motto is: "Citius, Altius, Fortius!" Translated, this means: "Faster, higher, stronger!" These words reflect the desire of athletes to win.
The awards at the Olympic Games are gold, silver and bronze medals, which are awarded to the three winners of the Olympic competitions, who took first, second and third place. And the olive branch gets the winner, awarded the gold medal.
Since 1972, the Olympic mascot has been part of symbolism, as well as an obligatory attribute of the Olympics. This symbol has an advertising and commercial purpose, in addition, it reflects the nature of the country where the games are held. Typically used is the image of an animal that is popular in the region where competitions are held.
As you know, the next Winter Olympic Games will be held in Sochi. For several years now, Russia has been preparing for this momentous event. Naturally, the Sochi 2014 Olympic symbols have already been developed.