CLIL

Humanities and Social Science 3

Carrying a torch for peace – what we can learn from the ancient
Olympics

A For 16 days, every four years, the world’s nations and athletes battle for glory in
the Olympic Games. In ancient Greek times, the Games were as much about
worshipping 1deities as they were about athletic ability, but were they really so
different to the modern competition?

B The ancient Olympic Games started in around 776 BC and were held in Olympia,
Greece, every four years until AD393. The exact origins of the Games are
uncertain, but there are several legends. Many historians think that the Games
were in honour of Pelops, the mythical king of Olympia. There could be some truth
in this, as offerings were made to Pelops during the Games. Other myths connect
the Games to the Olympic champion Hercules or say that the god Zeus initiated
the first Games.

C The ancient Olympic Games were quite different to the modern ones, which
commenced in 1896. Women were not permitted to compete and, instead of a
gold medal, winners were presented with a laurel wreath made from the 2sacred
olive tree growing behind Zeus’s 3shrine in Olympia. Although the Games were
held in Greece, athletes from the Iberian peninsula, Turkey and Italy, which were
Greek colonies, also competed. The events included running, boxing, chariot
racing, wrestling, long jump and javelin throwing and the athletes often competed
naked. Three days of the five-day festival were dedicated to sports, and the
remaining two to religious 4ritual. On the final day, there was a banquet,
consisting of 100 oxen 5sacrificed in honour of Zeus.

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd, 2010

D Despite these differences, some traditions from the old Games are reflected in the
modern Olympics. Ancient Greek sportsmen trained as hard as today’s athletes
and there is evidence that some of them used muscle-building drugs and
stimulants – a sort of ancient version of doping. The tradition of the Olympic torch
also has its roots in ancient times. Fire was sacred to the Greeks, and a fire was
kept burning throughout the ancient Games. Today, the Olympic torch is lit at the
start of every competition at the temple of Zeus’s wife, the goddess Hera. Many of
the events, such as discus throwing, have also survived from the original Games.
Another reference to ancient Greece is the goddess of victory, Nike, whose figure
is engraved on the winners’ medals.

E The modern and ancient Olympic Games may differ, but they are united by their
philosophy; both are a celebration of youth, excellence and competitive spirit.
However, there is one tradition from the original competition that the Olympic
committee hopes to revive – the Olympic Truce. According to archaeologists, all
wars were halted for the duration of the Games. The Olympic committee’s hope is
that if we can learn from this, and have peace for the 16 days of the modern
Games, maybe we can have it forever.

1 Answer the questions in your own words.

1 Why did the ancient Greeks celebrate the Olympics?

_______________________________________________________________
_

2 What aspects of the ancient Olympic Games have been maintained in the
modern Games?

_______________________________________________________________
_

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd, 2010

2 Are the statements true or false? Quote words from the text to support your
answers.

1 The modern Olympics are longer than the ancient Games.

_______________________________________________________________
_

2 Athletes wore uniforms during the ancient Games.

_______________________________________________________________
_

3 Athletes from any country in the world could compete in the ancient Olympics.

_______________________________________________________________
_

4 Wars were not allowed to take place during the ancient Olympic Games.

_______________________________________________________________
_

3 Match words 1–5 in the text to definitions a–e.

___ a building or structure built in honour of a god

___ b religious ceremony or procedure

___ c killed in honour of a god or goddess

___ d gods, holy beings

___ e holy, having special religious significance

4 Find words in the text that mean the same as …

1 related to a traditional story, sometimes imaginary. _________________

2 things given as a present to a god. _________________

3 a two-wheeled vehicle for one person, pulled by horses. _________________

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd, 2010

4 a building where people go to pray. _________________

5 a female divine being. _________________

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd, 2010