Olympics Fun Facts

• The early Olympic Games were celebrated as a religious festival from 776 B.C. until 393 A.D., when the games were banned for being a pagan festival (the Olympics celebrated the Greek god Zeus). In 1894, a French educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin, proposed a revival of the ancient tradition, and thus the modern-day Olympic Summer Games were born.
• Host Greece won the most medals (47) at the first Olympic Summer Games in 1896.
• The first Winter Olympic Games were held in Chamonix, France in 1924.
• Norway has won the most medals (263) at the Winter Games.
• The United States has won more medals (2,189) at the Summer Games than any other country.
• The five Olympic rings represent the five major regions of the world – Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceana, and every national flag in the world includes one of the five colors, which are (from left to right) blue, yellow, black, green, and red.
• Up until 1994 the Olympics were held every four years. Since then, the Winter and Summer games have alternated every two years.
• The first Olympics covered by U.S. television was the 1960 Summer Games in Rome by CBS.
• No country in the Southern Hemisphere has ever hosted a Winter Games.
• Three continents – Africa, South America, and Antarctica – have never hosted an Olympics.
• A record 202 countries participated in the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens.
• Only four athletes have ever won medals at both the Winter and Summer Olympic Games: Eddie Eagan (United States), Jacob Tullin Thams (Norway), Christa Luding-Rothenburger (East Germany), and Clara Hughes (Canada).
• Speed skater Bonnie Blair has won six medals at the Olympic Winter Games. That's more than any other American athlete.
• Nobody has won more medals at the Winter Games than cross-country skier Bjorn Dählieof Norway, who has 12.
• Larrisa Latynina, a gymnast from the former Soviet Union, finished her Summer Olympic Games career with 18 total medals—the most in history.
• The United States Olympic Committee established the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983 to recognize outstanding American Olympic athletes, however, a plan to build a hall has been suspended due to lack of funding.
• The Summer Olympic sports are archery, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, canoe / kayak, cycling, diving, equestrian, fencing, field hockey, gymnastics, handball, judo, modern pentathlon (shooting, fencing, swimming, show jumping, and running), mountain biking, rowing, sailing, shooting, soccer, swimming, synchronized swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, track and field, triathlon (swimming, biking, running), volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, and wrestling.
• The Winter Olympic sports are alpine skiing, biathlon (cross-country skiing and target shooting), bobsled, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, freestyle skiing, ice hocky, luge, Nordic combined (ski jumping and cross-country skiing), skeleton, ski jumping, snowboarding, and speed skating.   
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Source:RAPPLER

Rio 2016: 5 interesting facts about the modern Olympic Games

 

The Summer Games will officially open on August 5 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and will wrap-up on August 21, becoming the first time the Games have been hosted in South America. Global News takes a look at some interesting facts about the modern Olympics.

1: Summer Olympics during the winter?

The Rio Olympics marks the first time the Summer Games are hosted in a country during the winter season. Typically, winter in Brazil lasts from June to the end of August. The Sydney 2000 Summer Games were hosted at the tail end of the Australian winter, as the Games kicked off on September 15.

 

2: Hosting events 6 months before the Games begin

Speaking of Australia, the 1956 Summer Olympics were held in Melbourne and in Stockholm, Sweden. Due to Australia’s strict animal quarantine laws, the Games’ equestrian events were held nearly six months early in the Swedish city.

 

3: First modern Olympic Games

Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin was credited with dreaming up the modern Olympic Games and found the International Olympic Committee in 1894. Four years later, the modern Games were hosted in Athens, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics.

 

4: First modern champion

On April 6, 1896, American James Connolly became the first modern Olympic champion after winning the triple jump. A total of 241 athletes from 14 countries participated in 43 events.

 

                                                                                                                                                                             5: Women make Olympic debut

Women made their Olympic debut during the 1900 Sumer Games in France in golf and tennis events. However, according to Olympic.org, the first women to make an appearance were Mme. Filleaul Brohy and Mlle. Marie Ohnier during the croquet event.

Source:http://globalnews.ca/news/2862588/rio-2016-11-interesting-facts-about-the-modern-olympic-games/

RIO 2016 MASCOT

VINICIUS

NAME

The name of the Olympic mascot pays tribute to Brazilian musician Vinicius de Moraes.

DESCRIPTION

Vinicius is a mix of different Brazilian animals. His design takes inspiration from pop culture, as well as video game and animation characters. Alongside his Paralympic Games colleague, Vinicius represents the diversity of the Brazilian people and culture, as well as its exuberant nature.

CREATOR

Birdo Produções

DID YOU KNOW?

The call for tenders for the creation of the Rio 2016 mascots was launched in November 2012, and was aimed at Brazilian companies and professionals in the fields of design, animation and illustration. The country’s major firms took part. After various selection phases, a multi-disciplinary jury unanimously selected the final project in August 2013. The Olympic and Paralympic mascots were unveiled simultaneously to the public on 23 November 2014.

Over the three weeks following the presentation of the Olympic and Paralympic mascots, a public vote took place to select their respective names. Three choices were on offer: Oba and Eba; Tiba Tuque and Esquindim; and Vinicius and Tom. A total of 323,327 votes were registered. The third proposal won the competition, with 44 per cent of the valid votes.

The mascots (life-sized costume versions) made their first public appearance at the Ginásio Experimental Olímpico Juan Antonio Samaranch, named after the former IOC President. This is a school in Rio, opened under the impetus of the Games and aimed at young sporting talents.

                                          Find out more about the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Source:https://www.olympic.org/rio-2016-mascot

Rio 2016: Brazil booed off as Neymar flops in South Africa draw

OPENING WOES. The crowd lets their feelings be known as Brazil and Neymar end up in a draw with South Africa. Photo by Fernando Bizerra/EPA

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Brazil and superstar Neymar were booed off as their quest for a maiden Olympic football gold medal began with a 0-0 draw against 10-man South Africa on Thursday, August 4.

Barcelona ace Neymar is by far the biggest name in the competition and has been tasked with restoring pride to Brazilian football after a catastrophic 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany on home soil at the 2014 World Cup.

However, he endured a frustrating afternoon on a sandy and slow surface in Brasilia as South Africa held out despite Mothobi Mvala's red card half an hour from time prompting the crowd to jeer the hosts off on the final whistle.

"For us the draw is a defeat," said Neymar.

"The team went on the field to win, we know our responsibility, we know it isn't going to be easy.

"It is not just a case of turning up and winning the gold medal."

Group A is now in a 4-way tie on one point after Iraq and Denmark also played out a scoreless draw.

In contrast to the swathes of empty stands across the 6 cities being used to host the men's and women's football tournaments on the opening two days, the hosts commanded a near-capacity 70,000 crowd.

However, the Brazilian side boasting Neymar, Manchester City's new £27 million ($35.4 million) signing Gabriel Jesus and Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain did not provide the expected victory procession.

South Africa's Lebo Mothiba had a host of chances to cause an almighty upset, but failed to make a ragged Brazilian defense pay for early nerves.

"The first game is always the most difficult due to the anxiety of the competition starting," added Neymar.

"I think the anxiety hurt us a bit."

Neymar proudly sported the captain's armband and had Brazil's best two efforts of the first-half with strikes from outside the box that forced South African 'keeper Itumeleng Khune into two stunning saves.

And Khune said he would tell his grandchildren of the day he stopped the Barcelona star.

"I am so happy to make my appearance, make my mark," said Khune.

"Definitely my grandchildren will watch the DVD of this match."

South Africa dominated the early stages of the second-half with Mothiba and captain Keagen Dolly coming close.

But their chances appeared to have gone when defender Mvala was sent-off for two quickfire yellow cards.

Brazil ramped up the pressure. Jesus somehow turned the ball onto the post with the goal gaping, whilst a dipping drive from Neymar landed on the roof of the net.

However, South Africa resisted to add problems on the field for the hosts to a Games build-up already marred by fears surrounding the Zika virus and Brazil's political turmoil.

Portugal's stunning summer after winning Euro 2016 could get even more golden as they saw off Argentina 2-0 to the delight of the Brazilian crowd in Rio.

Both sides are looking to the future with Lionel Messi having announced his international retirement with Argentina after 3 final losses and Portuguese hero Cristiano Ronaldo now 31.

Gonzalo Paciencia's low drive put Portugal ahead before a horrible error from Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli allowed Pite's long-range effort to sneak between his legs to secure the three points six minutes from time.

Honduras beat Algeria 3-2 in the other Group D game.

Germany played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with 2012 gold medallists Mexico under a torrential downpour in Salvador.

Three goals in 10 minutes in the second-half put Mexico 2-1 ahead as Oribe Peralta and Rodolfo Pizarro struck either side of Arsenal's Serge Gnabry's reply for Germany.

However, the only World Cup winner on show at the Olympics Matthias Ginter, who flew 20,000km from Borussia Dortmund's pre-season tour in China to Brazil, earned Germany a point.

South Korea smashed Fiji 8-0 in the other match in Group C with Ryu Seung-Woo scoring a hat-trick.

Nigeria arrived in the Amazonian city of Manaus just hours before their match against Japan as the initial plane intended to take them from their training base in Atlanta on Wednesday was deemed "too small" for the squad and staff.

Sweden and Colombia drew 2-2 earlier in Manaus in Group B. – Rappler.com

Source:Rappler

PH swimmer Jessie Lacuna bows out of Rio Olympics

ELIMINATED. Jessie Lacuna, seen in this file photo, is eliminated from the Rio Olympics. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU / AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU

MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – Jessie Lacuna bowed out of contention in the 2016 Summer Olympics after he finished second to last in his heat of the men's 400m freestyle competition on Saturday, August 6 (Sunday, August 7 in Manila) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The 23-year-old finished 6th in the second heat of 7 swimmers with a time of 4:01.70. His final rank is 46th out of 50. Only the top 8 swimmers will advance to the final.Lacuna, competing in his second Olympics, initially was in fourth place before later on falling behind to 5th then 6th place in the final 200m.

Two American swimmers are into the top 8 with Conor Dwyer at the top of the heap with a time of 3:43.42. Connor Jaeger, also of USA, qualifies in 7th place at 3:45.37.

Dwyer is very closely followed by Australia's Mack Horton, registering 3:43.84, while Italy's Gabriele Detti is in third after clocking in at 3:43.95.

Another Australian David Mckeon also moves on to the final after finishing with a time of 3:44.68 in 5th place.

China, Australia, Great Britain, and France are also advancing.

Earlier, table tennis bet Ian Lariba bowed out of the Games when she was swept byXing Han of Congo.

The Philippines now has only 11 Filipino Olympians left to vie for the nation's first Olympic medal in 20 years.

Source:Rappler

Here's how Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz earned silver in Rio

SILVER LIFTER. Hidilyn Diaz made the most of her third trip to the Olympics, earning a silver medal. Photo by Nic Bothma/EPA

MANILA, Philippines - First Philippine Olympic medal since 1996. First Filipina to earn a medal. Third silver medal in Philippine history.

Hidilyn Diaz, welcome to the record books.

(PROFILE: Rio 2016: Hidilyn Diaz)

Filipina Hidilyn Diaz earned silver in the at the Rio Olympics in her third trip to the Olympiad, lifting 88kg in her snatch attempt and 112kg in the clean and jerk for a combined lift of 200kg in the early morning hours of Monday, August 8 in the Philippines, good for second place. (READ: Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz nabs silver, PH's first Olympic medal in 20 years)

The 25-year-old Diaz of Zamboanga City is now the first Filipino athlete to earn a medal since 1996, when Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco earned silver in the light flyweight boxing competition in Atlanta, USA

Source:Rappler

PH boxer Suarez loses split decision to Britain's Cordina in Rio

OUT OF RIO. Filipino boxer Charly Suarez (R) dropped a split decision in his first bout in Rio de Janeiro to Joe Cordina (L). Photo by Yuri Cortez/AFP

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - Filipino lightweight boxer Charly Suarez dropped a split decision to Great Britain's Joe Cordina on Sunday, August 7, ending his medal hopes and continuing the country's losing streak to begin the Rio Olympics.

Two judges scored the fight in favor of the 24-year-old Cordina - 30-27 and 29-28 - while the third saw it 29-28 in the Filipino's favor. The 27-year-old Suarez of Sawata, Davao del Norte started slowly against the Welsh switch hitter, who enjoyed a two-inch height and 3-inch reach advantage.

Suarez pulled even in the second round with his accurate counterpunches, feeling the rhythm as he celebrated with a Muhammad Ali-inspired foot shuffle in the final minute.

Suarez was the busier fighter over the first two minutes of round 3 before Cordina closed the round with a a spat of punches which may have earned him the edge. Suarez tells Rappler that he believes he deserved the decision.

"As a human I'm disappointed," said Suarez. "Because I'm a follower of Jesus Christ I accepted the decision of the judges. The crowd booed when my opponent won.

"First, second, third. I thought I won."

Ed Picson, executive director of ABAP, the Philippines' national sports association for amateur boxing, expressed incredulity at the 30-27 scorecard, which he felt did not reflect what had occurred.

With the defeat, the Philippines is down to one boxer - light flyweight Rogen Ladon - who will face Colombian Yuberjen Martinez in the round of 16 at 10 pm on Monday night Manila time.

The Philippines is now down to 10 athletes after an 0-3 start to the 2016 Olympiad. Flag bearer and table tennis player Ian Lariba lost a 4-0 match to Congo's Xing Hanwhile Filipino swimmer Jessie Lacuna finished 46th out of 50 in the men's 400m freestyle swimming heats, failing to advance to the next round.

Cordina will face Uzbekistan's Hurshid Tojibaev in the round of 16. Tojibaev defeated Hakan Erseker of Qatar by 30-27 scores on all 3 cards earlier in the day to advance.

Source:Rappler

Michael Phelps raih medali emas Olimpiade ke-19

Michael Phelps meraih medali emas ke-19. Foto dari Twitter/@Olympics

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Perenang Michael Phelps, merengkuh medali emas ke-19 saat tim Amerika Serikat memenangi 4x100 estafet putra pada Minggu, 7 Agustus, waktu setempat.

Saingan terdekat tim AS, Perancis mendapat peringkat kedua, sedangkan Australia ketiga.

Medali emas kali ini merupakan medali Phelps yang ke-23. Sejauh ini, total medali yang ia kumpulkan terdiri dari: 19 emas, 2 perak, dan 2 perunggu.

Source:Rappler

Olympics: Gold #19 for Phelps as records tumble in Olympic pool

GOLD NUMBER 19. USA's Michael Phelps prepares to compete in the Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay Final during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 7, 2016. Gabriel Bouys/AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (UPDATED) – US swimming legend Michael Phelps extended his record gold medal tally on Sunday, August 7, crowning a record-breaking day of drama at the Olympic Games.

Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, produced a stunning second leg to inspire the United States to victory in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

The 31-year-old – who has now won 19 gold medals, 23 overall – roared with delight and hugged his team-mates after they came home ahead of defending champions France in silver, with Australia third.

It was a fairytale moment for Phelps, who came out of retirement for one last crack at the Olympics after battling his personal demons during a stint in rehab.

The American quartet's display capped a superb night at the Maria Lenk Olympic Aquatics Centre which saw three world records broken.

Phelps's fellow prodigy Katie Ledecky was among the biggest winners, obliterating her own world best in the in the 400m freestyle on her way to gold.

The 19-year-old touched the wall in 3min 56.46sec, taking nearly two seconds off her previous record.

Ledecky is bidding to become the first Olympian since Debbie Meyer in 1968 to win the 200m, 400m and 800m free in the same games.

'It's surreal, crazy'

Britain's Adam Peaty set a new global best with a win in the men's 100m breaststrokeafter Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom had also broken the record in the women's race.

"It's surreal. It was crazy. It's amazing and I probably won't be able to sleep tonight," Peaty said.

The spellbinding action in the pool brought the curtain down on another day of drama where 14 gold medals were shared out.

Among the most popular winners was the hard-as-nails 25-year-old judoka Majlinda Kelmendi from Kosovo, which only gained status as an Olympic nation in 2014.

The 25-year-old sank to her knees in tears after out-grappling Italy's Odette Giuffrida to win by yuko in the women's 52kg final.

The win makes Kosovo the 100th country to win an Olympic gold medal.

"I have always wanted to show the world that Kosovo is not just a country that has gone through war," Kelmendi beamed with the Kosovo flag draped around her shoulders.

"We have survived a war. There are still kids who don’t know if their parents are alive, don't have anything to eat or books to go to school. So the fact of becoming Olympic champion is just huge for all of us."

Djokovic, Williams sisters out

A turbulent second full day of competition began with strong winds wreaking havoc at several Olympic venues.

The entire day of rowing was called off after gusts churned waters making it impossible to row. Strong winds also delayed play at the tennis venue, which saw a slew of upsets when action resumed later.

The biggest casualty was world number one Novak Djokovic, bounced out in straight sets in the opening round of the men's singles by Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro, losing 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2).

It was an unexpected win for del Potro, who has struggled with wrist injuries in recent years.

"It was an amazing match for me. I didn't expect to win tonight as I know the situation with my wrist," said del Potro.

In the women's doubles, Venus and Serena Williams' long reign as champions came to an end when they lost to Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova in the first round.

"It was what it was. We have a chance to compete for our country and did the best that we can. We had a blast out there," said 34-year-old Serena after the 6-3, 6-4 defeat.

The women's cycling road race was won by Anna van der Breggen, who overcame the shock of seeing team-mate Annemiek van Vleuten lying stricken on the road after a horrific crash to win gold on Copacabana beach.

There was more disappointment for hosts Brazil in the Olympic football tournament, who were booed off for a second straight game after a 0-0 draw with Iraq.

Source:Rappler
http://www.rappler.com/sports/specials/olympics/142303-michael-phelps-usa-win-4x100m-swimming-relay

Key Facts about OLYMPIC TORCH

 

·         A new torch is designed for every Olympics.

·         Several torches are made because each torchbearer is given his or her own torch. It is the flame that is passed from runner to runner, not the torch.

·         As it was in Ancient Greece, the Mother Flame that is used to light the torch is lit by the sun in Olympia.

·         The Mother Flame is lit in a special ceremony, using aparabolic mirror to reflect the sun's rays and create a fire. The flame is considered to be more pure because it is lit by the sun.

Importance of Fire in the Olympics

The Olympic torch incorporates both an important symbol and an important tradition for the Olympic games. The flame is symbolic of the positive values that man has typically associated with fire. The ancient Greeks believed that fire was a gift from Prometheus, who stole it from the gods and gave it to man. This gave fire a revered and respected role in Greek history.

In the Ancient Olympic Games in Olympia, a flame burned throughout the games at an altar to the goddess Hestia, whose Roman name was Vesta. Romans believed that Vestals were guardians of fire.

In modern times, a similar tradition has been observed in every Olympics since 1928, when a flame is lit in the opening ceremony and remains lit until the closing ceremony.

The Torch Relay

The Olympic flame is carried from Olympia to the host city for the by the torch relay.

Being selected as a torchbearer is a special honor. The arrival of the flame in each town on the relay route signifies the beginning of the games, as well as a message of friendship and peace.

Here are some interesting facts about the Olympic torch relay:

·         The Olympic torch relay was first held for the games in Berlin, Germany in 1936.

·         The first winter Olympics to have a torch relay was the 1952 games in Oslo, Norway.

·         The relay for the summer has always started in Olympia, Greece.

·         The winter relay began in Norway and Italy until the 1964 Innsbruck Games, when winter games relay also started in Olympia.

·         The relay begins many months before the Olympics. This gives time for the torch to pass through various cities and countries.

·         If the torch has to be transported on an airplane, it is placed in a special security lamp that operates like a miner's lamp.

·         The flame is kept in a special cauldron at night to ensure that it stays lit.

·         The Olympic torch is protected by strong security along the relay route due to the importance of keeping the flame lit.

·         The final leg of the torch relay is a lap around the stadium that hosts the Opening Ceremony. The lap ends with the torchbearer, who is typically a famous national or international celebrity or athlete, lighting the cauldron to signify that the Olympics have officially begun.

·         Flame of History

The Olympics are as much about peace and friendship between the competing nations as they are about the results of the competition. The flame is a positive symbol, dating back to Ancient Greece, and the torch relay represent friendship and peace, making the torch one of the most important symbols of the Olympic games.

SOURCE:Bright Hub Education