Olympic Value Education Chapter Notes | Physical Education Class 11 (XI) - CBSE and NCERT Curriculum PDF Download

Olympics, Paralympics and Special Olympics

Ancient Olympic Games

• Origin: The ancient Olympic Games are believed to have begun in 776 BCE in Olympia Valley.
• Mythology: According to Greek stories, the games were linked to adoration of Zeus, with Hercules initiating the sporting tradition.

Modern Olympic Games

• Evolution: The Modern Olympic Games are a global sporting event that evolved from the ancient tradition.
• Values: The Olympics promote values like excellence, respect, and friendship.

Olympic Symbol, Ideals, Objectives and Values of Olympism

International Olympic Committee

• Role: Oversees the modern Olympic Games and upholds its values and principles.
• Responsibilities: Ensuring fair play, promoting sportsmanship, and organizing the games.

Indian Olympic Association

• Organization: Governing body of Olympic sports in India.
• Mission: Promote Olympic values and support Indian athletes on the international stage.

Physical activity and sports offer numerous benefits, promoting health, well-being, and youth development. They serve as tools for peace, holistic education, and social development. The Olympic values education program aims to instill values like excellence, respect, and friendship in the youth.

Ancient Olympic Games

• Origin of Ancient Olympic Games

  • According to one legend, Hercules cleaned the vast stables of King Augeas as a punishment. When the king reneged on his promise, Hercules took over the kingdom and initiated the Olympic Games as a form of penance.
  • Another tale recounts Pelops' cunning plan to win both Hippodamia's hand in marriage and the kingdom of Elis by outsmarting King Oenomaus in a chariot race. Pelops then started the games in honor of his success.
  • Wrestling between Zeus and Koronos, where Zeus emerged victorious, is believed to have led to the commencement of the games to celebrate Zeus' triumph.

Reasons for Olympic Games

• Inter-City State Rivalries

  • The games may have originated due to conflicts and rivalries among Greek city-states, culminating in the establishment of the Olympics as a means of fostering unity and friendly competition.

Location and Duration of Ancient Olympic Games

• Location: Olympia

  • The ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, a picturesque valley in Greece, which lent its name to the event.

• Duration: Approximately 1000 Years

  • The ancient Olympic Games spanned around a millennium, showcasing athletic excellence and cultural significance until their cessation by King Theodosius of Rome in 394 CE.

Legacy of the Ancient Olympic Games

• Enduring Memory

  • Despite the formal end of the games in 394 CE and the destruction of stadiums, the spirit and memories of the ancient Olympic Games persisted among the Greek population for centuries.

Rules for Competitions

• The competitors had to be Greek, specifically from a Hellenic race, and had to be physically fit.
• Savages and punished individuals were not permitted to participate.
• Before the Olympic Games, competitors had to stay in Olympia for a month and swear they had undergone 10 months of training in their state.
• Women were prohibited from participating in or watching the games.
• Participants had to practice for one month before the games.
• Only amateur athletes could compete; professionals were not allowed.

Opening Ceremony of Games

On the day of the opening ceremony:

• All players, along with their relatives and trainers, gathered in the auditorium.
• They took an oath to abide by the rules and confirmed they had trained for ten months.
• A pig was sacrificed to the god Zeus Harikos.
• Players were introduced to the spectators; objections could exclude a player from the games.
• After clearance, the games officially commenced.

Evolution of Games

• In 724 BCE, the 400-yard walking race was added.
• In 720 BCE, the three-mile race was introduced.
• In 708 BCE, the pentathlon became part of the games.
• In 688 BCE, boxing was included.
• In 648 BCE, horse-racing was added.
• Over time, more events were incorporated, leading to a five-day duration for the games.

Awards and Recognition

• In ancient Olympic Games, focus was on respect and honor rather than material awards.
• Winners received food, animals, and olive leaf crowns as rewards.
• Statues of winners were erected, poems were composed in their praise, and their names were recorded in history.
• Players participated for prestige and recognition rather than for prizes.

Modern Olympic Games

• The modern Olympic Games were initiated by Pierre, Baron de Coubertin from France, born on January 1, 1862, in Paris.
• Coubertin initially pursued military training at the Sainik Academy but later shifted his focus to political science, which heightened his awareness of national and international issues.
• Recognizing the potential of the Olympic Games in resolving global problems, Coubertin envisioned reviving the ancient Olympic Games on a global scale.
• In 1893, Coubertin convened a meeting involving various nations to propose the revival of the Olympic Games. While some countries like Italy, Greece, Spain, and Sweden supported the idea, others were opposed.
• On June 16, 1894, a meeting in Paris with representatives from 13 countries, presided over by Coubertin, resulted in the decision that sports competitions akin to the ancient Greek Olympic Games should occur every four years with the participation of all nations.
• After substantial effort, Coubertin garnered widespread support, leading to the successful organization of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.
• The inaugural 1896 Athens Olympics saw the participation of only nine countries, a number that progressively grew, culminating in 122 countries participating in the 1972 Munich Olympics. The World Wars interrupted three Olympic events.

Pierre, Baron de Coubertin

• Pierre, Baron de Coubertin played a pivotal role in the revival of the modern Olympic Games, aiming to promote international harmony and cooperation through sports.

Olympic Motto

• The Olympic motto, "Citius-Altius-Fortius," translates to "Faster-Higher-Stronger" in Latin, was coined in 1895 by French educator Father Didon.

Olympic Flag

• The Olympic flag, proposed by Baron de Coubertin in 1913 and formally introduced in 1914 in Paris, was first raised during the 1920 Antwerp Olympic Games.
• Composed of white silk, the flag features five interlocking rings in five different colors—yellow, green, red, blue, and black—representing the five continents of the world: America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa.
• The interlocking rings symbolize cooperation and friendship among nations, fostering the spirit of unity during the international event.

Olympic Flame

• The Olympic flame represents knowledge, life, happiness, and peace.
• It is ignited in the Olympic village of Greece and carried by runners to the Games' venue.
• The flame continues burning throughout the event and is extinguished at the closing ceremony.

Olympic Awards

• Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to the top three positions, along with certificates.
• The subsequent five positions receive certificates only.

Olympic Oath

• During the opening ceremony, athletes take an oath pledging fair play, respect for rules, and sportsmanship.
• A representative recites the oath on behalf of all athletes present.
• A flag bearer from the host country leads the ceremony.

Rules for Competitors

• Originally for amateurs, the Olympics now allow professionals in some sports.
• Participants are sent by their National Olympic Committee.
• No athlete can compete without approval and recommendation from their National Olympic Committee.

Opening Ceremony of Olympic Games

• The Olympic torch is lit in Greece and brought to the host city.
• The games are officially declared open by the president or prime minister.
• The ceremony includes a march past, oath-taking, cultural programs, and the lighting of the Olympic flame.

Closing Ceremony of Olympic Games

• Sportspersons gather for the closing ceremony where the games are officially closed.
• The Olympic flag is lowered and cultural events are held.
• The Olympic flame is extinguished, marking the end of the games.

Olympic Value Education

• Education on Olympic values is essential for participants and spectators alike.
• It emphasizes principles like fair play, respect, and sportsmanship for the betterment of society.

Year and Venue of Olympic Games Held So Far

• 1896 Athens
• 1900 Paris
• 1904 St. Louis
• *1906 Athens: Organized to celebrate the 10th anniversary of modern Olympic Games, not held at the usual interval of four years
• 1908 London
• 1912 Stockholm
• 1916 Not held due to World War I
• 1940 Not held due to World War II
• 1944 Not held due to World War II
• 1948 London
• 1952 Helsinki
• 1956
• 1960 Rome
• 1964 Tokyo
• 1968 Mexico City
• 1972 Munich
• 1976 Montreal
• 1980 Moscow
• 1984 Los Angeles
• 1988 Seoul
• 1992 Barcelona
• 1996 Atlanta
• 2000 Sydney
• 2004 Athens
• 2008 Beijing
• 2012 London
• 2016 Rio de Janeiro
• 2020 Tokyo
• 2024 Paris
• 2028 Los Angeles

Paralympic Games

• Paralympic Games are major international multi-sport events for athletes with various disabilities such as mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy
• Paralympic Games are held every four years following the Olympic Games and are governed by the International Paralympic Committee
• The first Paralympic Games were held in Rome in 1960, with the term "Paralympic" officially used in the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul
• The first Winter Paralympic Games were held in Sweden in 1976, also taking place every four years

Opening Ceremony

• The opening ceremony commences with the host country's flag being raised and its national anthem being played
• Athletes then enter the stadium in a procession organized by nation, with the host country's athletes coming in last
• Nations enter the stadium alphabetically based on the host country's chosen language
• The host nation presents its culture through music, dance, and other forms of expression
• The games are formally inaugurated, culminating in the lighting of the Paralympic flame

Closing Ceremony

• After the completion of all sports events, the closing ceremony commences.
• Flag bearers representing each participating country march into the stadium.
• Athletes then enter collectively without national distinctions.
• The Paralympic flag is lowered, signifying the official closure of the games.
• The Paralympic flame is extinguished as part of the ceremony.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC)

• The IPC is the global governing body of the Paralympic movement.
• It organizes both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.
• Additionally, it acts as the International Federation for nine sports, overseeing world championships and other competitions.
• Established in Dusseldorf on September 22, 1989, the IPC is headquartered in Bonn, Germany.
• Its primary objective is to enhance sports opportunities for individuals with impairments, from novice to elite levels.

Awards

• Following each Paralympic event, medals are awarded to the winners.
• Participants securing first, second, and third positions stand at the victory podium to receive their medals.
• Subsequently, the national flags of the top three countries are raised and the respective national anthem of the gold medal-winning country is played.

Paralympic Motto

• The Paralympic motto, 'Spirit in Motion,' was introduced during the 2004 Athens Paralympics, replacing the previous motto of 'Mind, Body, and Spirit.'

Categories of Disability

• The IPC recognizes ten disability categories, including physical, visual, and intellectual impairments.
• Athletes with these disabilities are eligible to participate in the Paralympic Games, with certain sports tailored to specific disability categories.
• Examples of physical impairments encompass conditions like impaired muscle power, loss of limb, and short stature.
• Visual impairment includes issues affecting components of the visual system.
• Intellectual disability involves significant impairments in intellectual functioning.

Year and Venues of Paralympics (Summer)

Paralympics Overview

• 1976
• 1980
• 1984
• 1988
• 1992

Summer Paralympic Sports

• Archery
• Athletics
• Bocce
• Cycling
• Equestrian
• Football 5-a-side
• Goalball
• Judo
• Para-Badminton
• Para-canoe
• Para Triathlon

Winter Paralympic Sports

• Bi-Athlon
• Ice Hockey
• Cross-country Skiing

Special Olympics Overview

• Started by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of John F. Kennedy
• Believed in equal opportunities and experiences for people with special needs
• Conviction that children with intellectual disabilities could excel in sports
• Started a day camp for children with intellectual disabilities

Special Olympics Sports

• Alpine Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Wheelchair Curling

Upcoming Paralympic Games

• 2020 - Tokyo (Scheduled)
• 2024 - Paris (Scheduled)
• 2028 - Los Angeles (Scheduled)

Paralympic Sports

• Para-Taekwondo
• Rowing
• Shooting
• Power-lifting
• Sitting Volleyball
• Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Wheelchair Basketball
• Wheelchair Fencing
• Wheelchair Rugby
• Wheelchair Tennis

Special Olympics History

• Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver
• Emphasized the potential for growth and development through sports
• Encouraged participation of individuals with intellectual disabilities

Special Olympics Overview:

• Special Olympics is an international sporting event for individuals with disabilities.
• The inaugural Special Olympics were conducted in July 1968 in Chicago with around 1000 athletes from the USA and Canada participating.
• The event was initially a collaboration between the Kennedy Foundation and the Chicago Park District.

Historical Background:

• France became the first non-North American country to participate in the Special Olympics in 1970.
• Ten nations joined the games in 1972.
• The United Nations recognized 1986 as the "Year of the Special Olympics."
• In 1988, the International Olympic Committee officially organized the Special Olympics.

Special Olympics Symbolism:

• The Special Olympics logo represents growth, confidence, and joy among individuals with disabilities.
• It symbolizes their journey of learning, skill development, and competition participation.

Olympic Flame:

• The torch carried and lit at the Special Olympics is known as the "Flame of Hope."

Special Olympics Venues:

Special Olympics Sports:

• Athletics (Track and Field)
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Bocce
• Bowling
• Cricket
• Figure Skating
• Floorball
• Floor Hockey
• Gymnastics: Artistic and Rhythmic
• Handball
• Judo
• Football (Soccer)
• Golf
• Kayaking
• Netball
• Powerlifting
• Roller Skating
• Sailing

Olympic Value Education:

Paraphrased information about the Special Olympics events, symbolism, venues, and sports.

Recreational Activities:

• Snowboarding
• Snowshoe running
• Skiing: Alpine and Cross-Country
• Softball
• Triathlon
• Volleyball
• Speed Skating: Short-track

Olympic Symbol, Ideals, Objectives, and Values of Olympism:

• Olympic Symbol or Emblem:

  The Olympic symbol consists of five interlinked rings representing the sporting friendship of all people. The rings symbolize the five continents, but it's a misconception that each color corresponds to a specific continent. The colors are blue, yellow, black, green, and red.

• Olympic Motto:

  The Olympic motto, inscribed under the emblem, consists of three Latin words: "ALTIUS, CITIUS, FORTIUS," which mean "Stronger, Faster, Higher."

• Olympic Ideals:

  The essence of the Olympics lies in participation rather than winning. It emphasizes the importance of struggle over triumph and the value of a well-fought battle.

• Objectives of Olympics:

  The objectives of the Olympic Games, as per Coubertin, include promoting physical education and sports globally, fostering personal development, inculcating good habits for a healthy life, nurturing patriotism and international fraternity, and advocating for peace and unity without discrimination.

Objectives of Modern Olympic Games

• Friendship
• Solidarity
• Fair Play
• Free from Discrimination

Friendship

• Olympism fosters friendship among participants and nations.
• Example: 'Ping-pong diplomacy' led to improved relations between China and other nations.

Solidarity

• Olympism promotes unity and brotherhood among nations.
• It creates cohesion among participants.

Fair Play

• Olympic Games aim to enhance fair play based on justice.
• Challenges exist in ensuring impartiality and adherence to rules.
• Example: Discrepancies between ideal fair play and actual practices among teams.

Free from Discrimination

• Olympism emphasizes the elimination of discrimination based on caste, race, and religion.
• Exceptions exist in historical incidents like the 1972 Munich and 1936 Berlin Olympics.
• Despite efforts, discrimination challenges persist in some instances.

Despite the values promoted by Olympism, challenges such as national interests impacting participation and boycotts affecting events have hindered the fulfillment of Baron de Coubertin's vision.

Baron de Coubertin's dreams face setbacks as some countries prioritize their success over embodying Olympic values, leading to instances like boycotts of the 1980 Moscow and 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

While Olympism plays a crucial role in developing values like friendship, solidarity, fair play, and non-discrimination, it also faces obstacles where some nations prioritize their interests over these values.

Overview of the International Olympic Committee

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) serves as the governing body of the modern Olympic Games.
• It was established on 23 June 1894 by Pierre Baron de Coubertin with Greek Demitrios Vikelas as its first president.
• The IOC, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, comprises 105 active members and 32 honorary members.

Mission and Role of the IOC

• The primary mission of the IOC is to promote and support global participation in sports.
• It organizes both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games every four years.
• Summer Olympics were initiated in Athens, Greece in 1896, while Winter Olympics began in Chamonix, France in 1924.
• Since 1994, the IOC has staggered the Winter Olympics to occur in even years between the Summer Games.
• Additionally, the IOC started organizing the Youth Olympics in 2010 to encourage youth participation in sports.

Structure of the IOC

• President: The president, currently Thomas Bach, is elected for an eight-year term and can be re-elected.
• Vice-Presidents: Four vice-presidents are elected for four-year terms and can be reappointed based on members' preferences.
• Executive Board: Comprising the president, four vice-presidents, and ten other members, all elected by the IOC session through a majority vote cast.

Evolution of the Olympic Movement

• The Olympic Movement aims to foster values like friendship, respect, and excellence globally.
• There is a necessity to emphasize the modern Olympic Games' objectives to cultivate these values effectively.

International Impact

• The IOC's influence extends internationally, promoting sports and values across nations.
• Efforts are ongoing to enhance the positive influence of Olympism on society and culture.

Main Functions of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is responsible for determining the location and scheduling of the Olympic Games.
• It establishes rules and regulations for the Olympics, including competition and general programs.
• The IOC promotes ethics in sports, educates youth through sports, and ensures the regular conduct of the Olympic Games.
• It works to strengthen unity, protect the independence of the Olympic movement, and combat discrimination.
• The committee supports the advancement of women in sports, fights against doping, and promotes sports for all.
• It opposes any political or commercial exploitation of sports and athletes.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA)

• The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was established in 1927, with Sir Dorabji Jamshedji Tata and Dr. Noehren as the founding President and Secretary General.
• It is affiliated with the IOC, with Sir Dorabji Tata being India's first IOC member.
• After Sir Dorabji Tata, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh became the President of IOA.
• In 1928, the Indian hockey team won a gold medal in the Amsterdam Olympics, their first participation in the Games.
• The IOA's office bearers are elected every four years, including the president, vice-presidents, secretaries, treasurer, and representatives from state associations and national sports federations.

Olympic Values and Education

• The Indian Olympic Association promotes the Olympic movement in India, emphasizing values like sportsmanship, fair play, and unity.

Objectives of the Indian Olympic Association