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By: James Timm
The Olympics originated from the ancient Greeks. The earliest documentation of these games trace the efforts of King Iphitos of Elis, around the year 824 BC to establish a "sacred truce" through the conduct of Games "dear to the gods". These traditions have continued for many years internationally.
The Olympic rings are the official symbol of the Olympic Games. There are five interlacing rings conducted of the five main colors, blue, yellow, black, green, and red. These rings are set on a white background. Baron Pierre de Coubertin designed the Olympic emblem in 1913. The Olympic rings represent the unity of the first five entered continents. It also represents the joining of athletes all throughout the world.
The Olympics are one of the few privileges that the many countries of this world share. The games are taken very seriously and the faces of the athletes show the amount of dignity in these traditions hold. They put so much effort into the sport that they are good at and to be the best in that specific sport. Too see the athletes faces when they win a gold medal for themselves and for their county in unbelievable. The Olympic Games are awarded to a city chosen by the International Olympic Committee.
In order to qualify for the challenge of the Olympics you must be at least 16 years of age and make the national championships. If you are one of the lucky few that qualify for the Olympics your training is far from over. Athletes train about 6 days a week for an average of 6 to 8 hours a day. The summer & winter Olympics occur every 2 years so the athletes must train hard to stay at the top of their game to qualify for either.
This year the 2000 Summer Olympic games are going to be held in Sydney, Australia. These games are going to show who the best athletes are in the today. One of the best events in Sydney will be track & field because, Michael Johnson and Maurice Greene are going to be competing side by side to proclaim the fastest man in the world. Johnson & Greene are going head to head in the 100-meter relay, 200-meter relay, and the 400-meter relay. Michael Johnson is the defending 1996 Olympic track & field champ for the 200 and the 400. If Michael Johnson competes in the 100-meter relay, he will have a lot of trouble dealing with Maurice Greene, who currently holds the fastest time for the 100-meter dash. Johnson will have to push as hard as he can, and then some, to fly like Greene.
For the new millennium there will be new and improved athletes to show the world who is the best. Stay tuned and watch NBC September 13 through October 1, 2000, for all the details on the Summer 2000 Olympics.
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