Olympic Games 2

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  1. weightlift
    lift weights
    Several medalists in weightlifting and cross-country skiing were disqualified because of doping offenses.
  2. cost overrun
    excess of cost over budget
    Flyvbjerg and Stewart further found that cost overrun is a persistent problem for the Olympic Games:
    The Games overrun with 100% consistency.
  3. figure skate
    an ice skate worn for figure skating
    Figure skating (in 1908 and 1920) and ice hockey (in 1920) were featured as Olympic events at the Summer Olympics.
  4. speed skate
    race on skates
    Cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping, and speed skating have been featured at every Winter Olympics program since its inception in 1924.
  5. disambiguation
    clarification that follows from the removal of confusion
    For other uses, see Olympic (disambiguation).
  6. Olympic Games
    an international multi-sport event that takes place every two years
    Olympic Games
    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    For the 776 BC to AD 393 games, see Ancient Olympic Games.
  7. Winter Olympic Games
    an Olympics for winter sports
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  8. Olympic
    of or relating to the Olympic Games
    Olympic Games
    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    For the 776 BC to AD 393 games, see Ancient Olympic Games.
  9. amateurism
    the conviction that people should participate in sports as a hobby (for the fun of it) rather than for money
    As a result, the Olympics shifted away from pure amateurism, as envisioned by Coubertin, to allow participation of professional athletes.
  10. Olympics
    an international multi-sport event that takes place every two years
    For the most recent Summer Games that were held in London, see 2012 Summer Olympics.
  11. auspice
    a favorable omen
    On the last day of the Congress, it was decided that the first Olympic Games, to come under the auspices of the IOC, would take place in Athens in 1896.[33]
  12. broadcast medium
    a medium that disseminates via telecommunications
    Superpowers jockeyed for political supremacy, and the IOC wanted to take advantage of this heightened interest via the broadcast medium.[84]
  13. Winter Olympics
    an Olympics for winter sports
    For the Winter Games to be held in Sochi, Russia, see 2014 Winter Olympics.
  14. intercalate
    insert (days) in a calendar
    The Games rebounded when the 1906 Intercalated Games (so-called because they were the second Games held within the third Olympiad) were held in Athens.
  15. gold-plate
    plate with gold
    The winners receive gold medals, which were solid gold until 1912, then made of gilded silver and now gold-plated silver.
  16. athlete
    a person trained to compete in sports
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  17. pentathlete
    an athlete who competes in a pentathlon
    The first Olympic athlete to test positive for the use of performance enhancing drugs was Hans-Gunnar Liljenwall, a Swedish pentathlete at the 1968 Summer Olympics, who lost his bronze medal for alcohol use.[151]
  18. NOC
    an undercover agent who is given no official cover
    The sports to be contested will coincide with those scheduled for the senior Games, however there will be variations on the sports including mixed NOC and mixed gender teams as well as a reduced number of disciplines and events.[55]
  19. elimination tournament
    a tournament in which losers are eliminated in successive rounds
    In events contested by a single-elimination tournament (most notably boxing), third place might not be determined and both semifinal losers receive bronze medals.
  20. memorability
    the quality of being worth remembering
    The artistic presentations have grown in scale and complexity as successive hosts attempt to provide a ceremony that outlasts its predecessor's in terms of memorability.
  21. association football
    a football game in which two teams of 11 players try to kick or head a ball into the opponents' goal
    For example, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is the IF for Association football (soccer), and the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball is the international governing body for volleyball.
  22. immigrate
    come into a new country and change residency
    Between 1992 and 2008, there were about fifty athletes that have immigrated to the United States to compete on the US Olympic team after having previously competed for another nation.[171]
  23. parabolic mirror
    a parabolic reflector for light radiation
    A female performer, acting as a priestess, ignites a torch by placing it inside a parabolic mirror which focuses the sun's rays; she then lights the torch of the first relay bearer, thus initiating the Olympic torch relay that will carry the flame to the host city's Olympic stadium, where it plays an important role in the opening ceremony.[99]
  24. mass medium
    a technology that publicly transmits to a large audience
    The growing importance of the mass media created the issue of corporate sponsorship and commercialization of the Games.
  25. medal winner
    (golf) the winner at medal play of a tournament
    Although he was officially disqualified for being overweight, Miresmaeli was awarded US$125,000 in prize money by the Iranian government, an amount paid to all Iranian gold medal winners.
  26. Nemean Games
    the ancient Panhellenic games held biennially at Nemea in the second and fourth years of each Olympiad
    The Games were part of a cycle known as the Panhellenic Games, which included the Pythian Games, the Nemean Games, and the Isthmian Games.[16]
  27. commercialization
    the act of becoming part of the system of buying and selling
    The growing importance of the mass media created the issue of corporate sponsorship and commercialization of the Games.
  28. Jesse Owens
    United States athlete and Black American whose success in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin outraged Hitler (1913-1980)
    Politics


    Jesse Owens on the podium after winning the long jump at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
  29. Olympian Games
    the ancient Panhellenic celebration at Olympia in honor of Zeus; held every 4 years beginning in 776 BC
    In 1859, Dr. Brookes changed the name to Wenlock Olympian Games.
  30. boycott
    refusal to have commercial dealings with some organization
    Large boycotts during the Cold War limited participation in the 1980 and 1984 Games.
  31. Theodosius I
    the last emperor of a united Roman Empire, he took control of the eastern empire and ended the war with the Visigoths; he became a Christian and in 391 banned all forms of pagan worship (346-395)
    While there is no scholarly consensus when the Games officially ended, the most commonly held date is 393 AD, when the emperor Theodosius I decreed that all pagan cults and practices be eliminated.[17]
  32. class structure
    the organization of classes within a society
    As class structure evolved through the 20th century, the definition of the amateur athlete as an aristocratic gentleman became outdated.[122]
  33. cross-country skiing
    the sport of skiing across the countryside
    Cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping, and speed skating have been featured at every Winter Olympics program since its inception in 1924.
  34. medalist
    someone who has won a medal
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  35. footrace
    a race run on foot
    The most widely accepted inception date for the Ancient Olympics is 776 BC; this is based on inscriptions, found at Olympia, listing the winners of a footrace held every four years starting in 776 BC.[10]
  36. pentathlon
    an athletic contest consisting of five different events
    The Ancient Games featured running events, a pentathlon (consisting of a jumping event, discus and javelin throws, a foot race, and wrestling), boxing, wrestling, pankration, and equestrian events.[11][12]
  37. taekwondo
    a Korean martial art similar to karate
    In 2008, the United Arab Emirates sent female athletes (Maitha Al Maktoum competed in taekwondo, and Latifa Al Maktoum in equestrian) to the Olympic Games for the first time.
  38. nongovernmental organization
    an organization that is not part of the local or state or federal government
    He noted: "For the last 15 years, many international nongovernmental organizations worldwide have been trying to lobby the IOC for better enforcement of its own laws banning gender discrimination.
  39. game
    an amusement or pastime
    Olympic Games
    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    For the 776 BC to AD 393 games, see Ancient Olympic Games.
  40. ice hockey
    a game played on an ice rink by two opposing teams of six skaters each who try to knock a flat round puck into the opponents' goal with angled sticks
    Winter Games
    Main article: Winter Olympic Games


    An ice hockey game during the 1928 Winter Olympics at St. Moritz.
  41. city-state
    an independent nation comprised of a single town
    The Ancient Olympic Games were a religious and athletic festival held every four years at the sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia, Greece among representatives of several city-states and kingdoms of Ancient Greece.
  42. Republic of China
    a government on the island of Taiwan established in 1949 by Chiang Kai-shek after the conquest of mainland China by the Communists led by Mao Zedong
    There were three boycotts of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics: Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland refused to attend because of the repression of the Hungarian uprising by the Soviet Union, but did send an equestrian delegation to Stockholm; Cambodia, Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon boycotted the Games because of the Suez Crisis; and China (the "People's Republic of China") boycotted the Games because Taiwan (the "Republic of China") was allowed to compete in the games.[128]
  43. bronze medal
    a trophy made of bronze (or having the appearance of bronze) that is usually awarded for winning third place in a competition
    The first Olympic athlete to test positive for the use of performance enhancing drugs was Hans-Gunnar Liljenwall, a Swedish pentathlete at the 1968 Summer Olympics, who lost his bronze medal for alcohol use.[151]
  44. compete
    engage in a contest or measure oneself against others
    Over 13,000 athletes compete at the Summer and Winter Olympics in 33 different sports and nearly 400 events.
  45. Olympiad
    one of the four-year intervals between Olympic Games
    The Games were held every four years, and this period, known as an Olympiad, was used by Greeks as one of their units of time measurement.
  46. medal
    an award for winning a championship
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  47. Panhellenic
    of or relating to all the Greeks
    The Games were part of a cycle known as the Panhellenic Games, which included the Pythian Games, the Nemean Games, and the Isthmian Games.[16]
  48. hold in
    lessen the intensity of
    For the most recent Summer Games that were held in London, see 2012 Summer Olympics.
  49. national socialist
    relating to a form of socialism
    Though the flame has been an Olympic symbol since 1928, the torch relay was introduced at the 1936 Summer Games, as part of the German government's attempt to promote its National Socialist ideology.[98]
  50. ski jump
    a steep downward ramp from which skiers jump
    Cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping, and speed skating have been featured at every Winter Olympics program since its inception in 1924.
  51. host
    a person who invites guests to a social event
    As the decision-making body, the IOC is responsible for choosing the host city for each Olympic Games.
  52. sponsorship
    the act of sponsoring (either officially or financially)
    The growing importance of the mass media created the issue of corporate sponsorship and commercialization of the Games.
  53. dressage
    maneuvers of a horse in response to body signals by the rider
    There is no "Women's Eventing", or 'Men's Dressage'.
  54. sport
    active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  55. Olympian
    of or pertaining to the greater gods of ancient Greece whose abode was Mount Olympus
    In 1850 an Olympian Class was started by Dr. William Penny Brookes at Much Wenlock, in Shropshire, England.
  56. Pythian Games
    the ancient Panhellenic celebration at Delphi held every four years in the third year of the Olympiad in honor of Apollo
    The Games were part of a cycle known as the Panhellenic Games, which included the Pythian Games, the Nemean Games, and the Isthmian Games.[16]
  57. People's Republic of China
    a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
    There were three boycotts of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics: Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland refused to attend because of the repression of the Hungarian uprising by the Soviet Union, but did send an equestrian delegation to Stockholm; Cambodia, Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon boycotted the Games because of the Suez Crisis; and China (the "People's Republic of China") boycotted the Games because Taiwan (the "Republic of China") was allowed to compete in the games.[128]
  58. overrun
    seize the position of and defeat
    Flyvbjerg and Stewart further found that cost overrun is a persistent problem for the Olympic Games:
    The Games overrun with 100% consistency.
  59. Isthmian Games
    the ancient Panhellenic games held biennially on the Isthmus of Corinth in the first and third years of each Olympiad
    The Games were part of a cycle known as the Panhellenic Games, which included the Pythian Games, the Nemean Games, and the Isthmian Games.[16]
  60. human right
    any basic freedom to which all people are entitled
    There had been growing calls for boycotts of Chinese goods and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing in protest of China's human rights record, and in response to Tibetan disturbances and ongoing conflict in Darfur.
  61. national flag
    an emblem flown as a symbol of nationality
    These colors were chosen because every nation had at least one of them on its national flag.
  62. biennially
    every two years
    The Games are currently held biennially, with Summer and Winter Olympic Games alternating, meaning they each occur every four years.
  63. Cotswold
    sheep with long wool originating in the Cotswold Hills
    The first such event was the Cotswold Games or "Cotswold Olimpick Games", an annual meeting near Chipping Campden, England, involving various country sports.
  64. Carl Lewis
    United States athlete who won gold medals at the Olympics for his skill in sprinting and jumping (born in 1961)
    His gold medal was subsequently stripped and awarded to American runner-up Carl Lewis, who himself had tested positive for banned substances prior to the Olympics.[152]
  65. Black September
    a Palestinian international terrorist organization that split from the PLO in 1974; has conducted terrorist attacks in 20 countries
    In 1972, when the Summer Games were held in Munich, Germany, eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September in what is now known as the Munich massacre.
  66. commercialize
    make into a profitable enterprise
    The argument is that the Games have become indistinguishable from any other commercialized sporting spectacle.[81]
  67. logistic
    relating to necessary details of operation
    The Winter Olympics were created to feature snow and ice sports that were logistically impossible to hold during the Summer Games.
  68. finisher
    a racing driver who finishes a race
    The first, second, and third place finishers in each event receive Olympic medals: gold, silver, and bronze, respectively.
  69. hick
    a person who is not very intelligent or interested in culture
    Use of performance enhancing drugs
    Main article: Use of performance-enhancing drugs in the Olympic Games


    Thomas Hicks running the marathon at the 1904 Summer Olympics.
  70. roc
    mythical bird of prey having enormous size and strength
    Taiwan also decided to boycott these Games because the People's Republic of China (PRC) exerted pressure on the Montreal organizing committee to keep the delegation from the Republic of China (ROC) from competing under that name.
  71. Kenyan
    of or relating to or characteristic of Kenya or its people
    Other notable examples include Kenyan runner Bernard Lagat who became a United States citizen in May 2004.
  72. African country
    any one of the countries occupying the African continent
    In 1972 and 1976 a large number of African countries threatened the IOC with a boycott to force them to ban South Africa and Rhodesia, because of their segregationist regimes.
  73. unit of time
    a unit for measuring time periods
    The Games were held every four years, and this period, known as an Olympiad, was used by Greeks as one of their units of time measurement.
  74. feng shui
    the practice of arranging spaces for harmony and balance
    The mascots of the Summer Olympics, in Beijing, were the Fuwa, five creatures that represent the five feng shui elements important in Chinese culture.[101]
  75. Curacao
    a popular island resort in the Netherlands Antilles
    Therefore, it did not allow the formation of National Olympic Committees for Sint Maarten and Curaçao when they gained the same constitutional status as Aruba in 2010, although the IOC had recognized the Aruban Olympic Committee in 1986.[61][62]
  76. bear cub
    a young bear
    It has played an important part on the Games identity promotion since the 1980 Summer Olympics, when the Russian bear cub Misha reached international stardom.[100]
  77. foot race
    a race run on foot
    The Ancient Games featured running events, a pentathlon (consisting of a jumping event, discus and javelin throws, a foot race, and wrestling), boxing, wrestling, pankration, and equestrian events.[11][12]
  78. organize
    arrange by systematic planning and united effort
    The Olympic Movement consists of international sports federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and organizing committees for each specific Olympic Games.
  79. PRC
    a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
    Taiwan also decided to boycott these Games because the People's Republic of China (PRC) exerted pressure on the Montreal organizing committee to keep the delegation from the Republic of China (ROC) from competing under that name.
  80. dope
    street names for marijuana
    Such growth has created numerous challenges, including boycotts, doping, bribery, and terrorism.
  81. televise
    broadcast via a system that transmits images over distance
    The 1956 Winter Olympics were the first internationally televised Olympic Games,[83] and the following Winter Games had their broadcasting rights sold for the first time to specialized television broadcasting networks—CBS paid US$394,000 for the American rights,[84] and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) allocated US$660,000.[78]
  82. Olympia
    a plain in Greece in the northwestern Peloponnese
    Their creation was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD.
  83. weightlifting
    bodybuilding by exercise that involves lifting weights
    Several medalists in weightlifting and cross-country skiing were disqualified because of doping offenses.
  84. interlock
    coordinate or join up so that all parts work together
    Members of TOP received exclusive global advertising rights for their product category, and use of the Olympic symbol, the interlocking rings, in their publications and advertisements.[81]
  85. color television
    a television that transmits images in color
    This was due to the use of satellites to broadcast live television worldwide in 1964, and the introduction of color television in 1968.[86]
  86. volleyball
    a game in which two teams hit an inflated ball over a high net using their hands
    For example, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is the IF for Association football (soccer), and the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball is the international governing body for volleyball.
  87. publicize
    make known to people as a whole
    The most publicized doping-related disqualification was that of Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, who won the 100 meter dash at the 1988 Seoul Olympics but tested positive for stanozolol.
  88. ski jumping
    the act of performing a jump on skis from a high ramp overhanging a snow covered slope
    Cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping, and speed skating have been featured at every Winter Olympics program since its inception in 1924.
  89. citizenship
    membership in a state with rights and duties
    Youth Games
    2.5 Recent games
    3 International Olympic Committee
    3.1 Criticism
    4 Commercialization
    4.1 Budget
    4.2 Effect of television
    4.3 Controversy
    5 Cost
    6 Symbols
    7 Ceremonies
    7.1 Opening
    7.2 Closing
    7.3 Medal presentation
    8 Sports
    8.1 Amateurism and professionalism
    9 Controversies
    9.1 Boycotts
    9.2 Politics
    9.3 Use of performance enhancing drugs
    9.4 Sex discrimination
    9.5 Terrorism and Violence
    10 Citizenship
    10.1 IOC rules for citizenship
    10.2 Reasons for changing citizenship
    10.3...
  90. chariot race
    a race between ancient chariots
    Pelops was famous for his chariot race with King Oenomaus of Pisatis.[14]
  91. refurbishment
    the state of being restored to its former good condition
    George Averoff contributed generously for the refurbishment of the stadium in preparation for the Games.[39]
  92. chauvinistic
    fanatically patriotic
    Soviet officials defended their decision to withdraw from the Games by saying that "chauvinistic sentiments and an anti-Soviet hysteria are being whipped up in the United States".[134]
  93. South American country
    any one of the countries occupying the South American continent
    The 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro will be the first Olympics for a South American country.
  94. amphetamine
    a central nervous system stimulant that increases energy and decreases appetite; used to treat narcolepsy and some forms of depression
    A coroner's inquiry found that he was under the influence of amphetamines.[149]
  95. headquarter
    provide with headquarters
    International Olympic Committee

    Main article: International Olympic Committee


    The I.O.C. headquarters at Lausanne.
  96. Jim Thorpe
    outstanding United States athlete (1888-1953)
    The 1912 Olympic pentathlon and decathlon champion Jim Thorpe was stripped of his medals when it was discovered that he had played semi-professional baseball before the Olympics.
  97. speed skating
    competitive skating on speed skates
    Cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping, and speed skating have been featured at every Winter Olympics program since its inception in 1924.
  98. synchronize
    happen at the same time
    There are currently two Olympic events in which male athletes may not compete: synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics.
  99. candidature
    the state of being considered for some position or degree
    On the basis of this technical evaluation, the IOC Executive Board selects the applicants that will proceed to the candidature stage.[180]
  100. intertwine
    spin, wind, or twist together
    The Olympic symbol, better known as the Olympic rings, consists of five intertwined rings and represents the unity of the five inhabited continents (Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Europe).
  101. tiered
    having or arranged in layers or levels
    The winner, second and third-place competitors or teams stand on top of a three-tiered rostrum to be awarded their respective medals.[109]
  102. Innsbruck
    city in southwestern Austria
    The first Summer Youth Games were held in Singapore from 14–26 August 2010, while the inaugural Winter Games were hosted in Innsbruck, Austria, two years later.[51]
  103. hockey game
    a game played on an ice rink by two opposing teams of six skaters each who try to knock a flat round puck into the opponents' goal with angled sticks
    Winter Games
    Main article: Winter Olympic Games


    An ice hockey game during the 1928 Winter Olympics at St. Moritz.
  104. track and field
    participating in athletic sports performed on a running track or on the field associated with it
    At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, two American track and field athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who finished first and third in the 200 meters, performed the Black Power salute on the victory stand.
  105. disqualify
    make unfit or unsuitable
    Although he was officially disqualified for being overweight, Miresmaeli was awarded US$125,000 in prize money by the Iranian government, an amount paid to all Iranian gold medal winners.
  106. karate
    a traditional Japanese system of unarmed combat
    From this study five recognized sports emerged as candidates for inclusion at the 2012 Summer Olympics: golf, karate, rugby union, roller sports and squash.[120]
  107. British capital
    the capital and largest city of England
    The British capital London holds the distinction of hosting three Olympic Games, all Summer, more than any other city.
  108. stadium
    a large structure for sports or entertainments
    Youth Games
    2.5 Recent games
    3 International Olympic Committee
    3.1 Criticism
    4 Commercialization
    4.1 Budget
    4.2 Effect of television
    4.3 Controversy
    5 Cost
    6 Symbols
    7 Ceremonies
    7.1 Opening
    7.2 Closing
    7.3 Medal presentation
    8 Sports
    8.1 Amateurism and professionalism
    9 Controversies
    9.1 Boycotts
    9.2 Politics
    9.3 Use of performance enhancing drugs
    9.4 Sex discrimination
    9.5 Terrorism and Violence
    10 Citizenship
    10.1 IOC rules for citizenship
    10.2 Reasons for changing citizenship
    10.3 Citize...
  109. antisemitism
    the intense dislike for and prejudice against Jewish people
    He was accused of both racism, for his handling of the apartheid issue with the South African delegation, and antisemitism.[69]
  110. Host
    a technical name for the bread used in the service of Mass or Holy Communion
    Youth Games
    2.5 Recent games
    3 International Olympic Committee
    3.1 Criticism
    4 Commercialization
    4.1 Budget
    4.2 Effect of television
    4.3 Controversy
    5 Cost
    6 Symbols
    7 Ceremonies
    7.1 Opening
    7.2 Closing
    7.3 Medal presentation
    8 Sports
    8.1 Amateurism and professionalism
    9 Controversies
    9.1 Boycotts
    9.2 Politics
    9.3 Use of performance enhancing drugs
    9.4 Sex discrimination
    9.5 Terrorism and Violence
    10 Citizenship
    10.1 IOC rules for citizenship
    10.2 Reasons for changing citizenship
    10.3 Citize...
  111. participate
    be involved in
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  112. Greco-Roman
    of or pertaining to or characteristic of the ancient Greek and Roman cultures
    For example, wrestling is a Summer Olympic sport, comprising two disciplines: Greco-Roman and Freestyle.
  113. metric system
    a decimal system of weights and measures based on the meter
    The 1796 Games also marked the introduction of the metric system into sport.[20]
  114. anti
    not in favor of (an action or proposal etc.)
    Soviet officials defended their decision to withdraw from the Games by saying that "chauvinistic sentiments and an anti-Soviet hysteria are being whipped up in the United States".[134]
  115. honor guard
    an escort for a distinguished guest or for the casket at a military funeral
    They included the flag that flew at Ground Zero, NYPD officer Daniel Rodríguez singing "God Bless America", and honor guards of NYPD and FDNY members.
  116. unite
    join or combine
    The St. Louis Games hosted 650 athletes, but 580 were from the United States.
  117. professional baseball
    playing baseball for money
    The 1912 Olympic pentathlon and decathlon champion Jim Thorpe was stripped of his medals when it was discovered that he had played semi-professional baseball before the Olympics.
  118. gold medal
    a trophy made of gold (or having the appearance of gold) that is usually awarded for winning first place in a competition
    Amateurism and professionalism
    Further information: Amateur


    Professional NHL players were allowed to participate in ice hockey starting in 1998 (1998 Gold medal game between Russia and the Czech Republic pictured).
  119. encompass
    include in scope
    The celebration of the Games encompass many rituals and symbols, such as the Olympic flag and torch, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.
  120. Heracles
    a hero noted for his strength
    The origin of these Olympics is shrouded in mystery and legend;[4] one of the most popular myths identifies Heracles and his father Zeus as the progenitors of the Games.[5][6][7]
  121. decathlon
    an athletic contest consisting of ten different events
    The 1912 Olympic pentathlon and decathlon champion Jim Thorpe was stripped of his medals when it was discovered that he had played semi-professional baseball before the Olympics.
  122. national anthem
    a song formally adopted as the anthem for a nation
    The ceremony typically starts with the hoisting of the host country's flag and a performance of its national anthem.[102][103]
  123. all-rounder
    a versatile person who is expert at many things
    In this ethos, a gentleman was one who became an all-rounder, not the best at one specific thing.
  124. ethos
    the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
    The ethos of the aristocracy as exemplified in the English public school greatly influenced Pierre de Coubertin.[122]
  125. evaluation
    the act of ascertaining or judging the quality of
    The evaluation of the filled questionnaires by a specialized group provides the IOC with an overview of each applicant's project and their potential to host the Games.
  126. summer
    the warmest season of the year
    For the most recent Summer Games that were held in London, see 2012 Summer Olympics.
  127. commercialized
    organized principally for financial gain
    The argument is that the Games have become indistinguishable from any other commercialized sporting spectacle.[81]
  128. questionnaire
    a form with a set of queries to gain statistical information
    Once the deadline for submission of proposals by the NOCs is reached, the first phase (Application) begins with the applicant cities asked to complete a questionnaire regarding several key criteria related to the organization of the Olympic Games.[180]
  129. professionalism
    the expertness characteristic of a business person
    Youth Games
    2.5 Recent games
    3 International Olympic Committee
    3.1 Criticism
    4 Commercialization
    4.1 Budget
    4.2 Effect of television
    4.3 Controversy
    5 Cost
    6 Symbols
    7 Ceremonies
    7.1 Opening
    7.2 Closing
    7.3 Medal presentation
    8 Sports
    8.1 Amateurism and professionalism
    9 Controversies
    9.1 Boycotts
    9.2 Politics
    9.3 Use of performance enhancing drugs
    9.4 Sex discrimination
    9.5 Terrorism and Violence
    10 Citizenship
    10.1 IOC rules for citizenship
    10.2 Reasons for changing citizenship
    10.3...
  130. figure skating
    ice skating where the skates trace outlines of selected figures
    Figure skating (in 1908 and 1920) and ice hockey (in 1920) were featured as Olympic events at the Summer Olympics.
  131. gymnastic
    of or relating to or used in exercises intended to develop strength and agility
    At the Summer Games, the gymnastics competition was expanded from seven to nine nights, and a Champions Gala was added to draw greater interest.[92]
  132. governing body
    the persons (or committees or departments etc.) who make up a body for the purpose of administering something
    The IOC has since become the governing body of the Olympic Movement, with the Olympic Charter defining its structure and authority.
  133. equestrian
    of or relating to or featuring horseback riding
    The Ancient Games featured running events, a pentathlon (consisting of a jumping event, discus and javelin throws, a foot race, and wrestling), boxing, wrestling, pankration, and equestrian events.[11][12]
  134. exponentially
    in a manner of rapid growth
    Viewership increased exponentially from the 1960s until the end of the century.
  135. phase out
    terminate gradually
    Beginning in the 1970s, amateurism requirements were gradually phased out of the Olympic Charter.
  136. Nagano
    a city in central Honshu to the northwest of Tokyo
    For example, CBS paid US$375 million for the rights of the 1998 Nagano Games,[85] while NBC spent US$3.5 billion for the broadcast rights of all the Olympic Games from 2000 to 2012.[78]
  137. ceremony
    a formal event performed on a special occasion
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  138. marathon
    a foot race of 26 miles and 385 yards
    For the men's marathon, the competition is usually held early in the morning on the last day of Olympic competition and its medal ceremony is then held in the evening during the closing ceremony.[citation needed]
    Sports

    Main article: Olympic sports
    The Olympic Games program consists of 35 sports, 30 disciplines and nearly 400 events.
  139. imago
    an adult insect produced after metamorphosis
    Effect of television


    A cartoon from the 1936 Berlin Olympics imagines the year 2000 when spectators will have been replaced by television and radio, their cheers coming from loudspeakers.
  140. modern era
    the present or recent times
    Modern Games

    Forerunners


    Baron Pierre de Coubertin
    Various revivals of the term "Olympic" to describe athletic events in the modern era have been attested since the 17th century.
  141. redirect
    channel into a new direction
    "Olympics" redirects here.
  142. apartheid
    a social policy of racial segregation
    He was accused of both racism, for his handling of the apartheid issue with the South African delegation, and antisemitism.[69]
  143. featured
    made a highlight; given prominence
    These games featured mainly athletic but also combat and chariot racing events.
  144. ideology
    an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group
    This was primarily due to a shift in ideology toward expansion of the Games through corporate sponsorship and the sale of television rights.[77]
  145. Qatar
    an Arab country on the peninsula of Qatar
    By 2010, only three countries had never sent female athletes to the Games: Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
  146. podium
    a platform raised above the surrounding level
    Politics


    Jesse Owens on the podium after winning the long jump at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
  147. newspaper editor
    the editor of a newspaper
    It was first proposed by poet and newspaper editor Panagiotis Soutsos in his poem "Dialogue of the Dead", published in 1833.[28]
  148. inception
    an event that is a beginning
    The most widely accepted inception date for the Ancient Olympics is 776 BC; this is based on inscriptions, found at Olympia, listing the winners of a footrace held every four years starting in 776 BC.[10]
  149. specialize
    become more focused on an area of activity or field of study
    The 1956 Winter Olympics were the first internationally televised Olympic Games,[83] and the following Winter Games had their broadcasting rights sold for the first time to specialized television broadcasting networks—CBS paid US$394,000 for the American rights,[84] and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) allocated US$660,000.[78]
  150. applicant
    a person who requests or seeks something
    Once the deadline for submission of proposals by the NOCs is reached, the first phase (Application) begins with the applicant cities asked to complete a questionnaire regarding several key criteria related to the organization of the Olympic Games.[180]
  151. silver medal
    a trophy made of silver (or having the appearance of silver) that is usually awarded for winning second place in a competition
    According to Kenya, he was no longer a Kenyan citizen, leaving his silver medal in jeopardy.
  152. anthem
    a song of devotion or loyalty
    The ceremony typically starts with the hoisting of the host country's flag and a performance of its national anthem.[102][103]
  153. participant
    someone who is involved in an activity
    These Games, which were hosted at the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, attracted a broad international field of participants and generated great public interest.
  154. Brunei
    a sultanate in northwestern Borneo
    By 2010, only three countries had never sent female athletes to the Games: Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
  155. citation
    an official award usually given as formal public statement
    For the men's marathon, the competition is usually held early in the morning on the last day of Olympic competition and its medal ceremony is then held in the evening during the closing ceremony.[citation needed]
    Sports

    Main article: Olympic sports
    The Olympic Games program consists of 35 sports, 30 disciplines and nearly 400 events.
  156. allegation
    a formal accusation against somebody
    The allegation was never fully explored.
  157. segregationist
    someone who believes the races should be kept apart
    In 1972 and 1976 a large number of African countries threatened the IOC with a boycott to force them to ban South Africa and Rhodesia, because of their segregationist regimes.
  158. Ottoman Empire
    a Turkish sultanate of southwestern Asia and northeastern Africa and southeastern Europe; created by the Ottoman Turks in the 13th century and lasted until the end of World War I; although initially small it expanded until it superseded the Byzantine Empire
    Greek interest in reviving the Olympic Games began with the Greek War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821.
  159. nation
    a politically organized body of people under a government
    The Olympic Games are considered to be the world's foremost sports competition with more than 200 nations participating.[2]
  160. enshrine
    enclose in a place of worship
    Chairman of the London organising committee, Lord Coe, said about the 2012 Summer Paralympics and Olympics in London, England that,
    We want to change public attitudes towards disability, celebrate the excellence of Paralympic sport and to enshrine from the very outset that the two Games are an integrated whole.[48]
  161. prize money
    any money given as a prize
    Although he was officially disqualified for being overweight, Miresmaeli was awarded US$125,000 in prize money by the Iranian government, an amount paid to all Iranian gold medal winners.
  162. celebration
    a joyful occasion for festivities to mark some happy event
    The host city is responsible for organizing and funding a celebration of the Games consistent with the Olympic Charter.
  163. outdated
    old; no longer valid or fashionable
    Television companies were still relying on tape-delayed content, which was becoming outdated in the information era.[89]
  164. gymnastics
    a sport involving acrobatic feats on different apparatuses
    At the Summer Games, the gymnastics competition was expanded from seven to nine nights, and a Champions Gala was added to draw greater interest.[92]
  165. event
    something that happens at a given place and time
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  166. Beijing
    capital of the People's Republic of China in the Hebei province in northeastern China; 2nd largest Chinese city
    The agreement came into effect at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, and the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.
  167. mascot
    a person or animal adopted by a group as a symbolic figure
    The Olympic mascot, an animal or human figure representing the cultural heritage of the host country, was introduced in 1968.
  168. enhance
    increase
    Youth Games
    2.5 Recent games
    3 International Olympic Committee
    3.1 Criticism
    4 Commercialization
    4.1 Budget
    4.2 Effect of television
    4.3 Controversy
    5 Cost
    6 Symbols
    7 Ceremonies
    7.1 Opening
    7.2 Closing
    7.3 Medal presentation
    8 Sports
    8.1 Amateurism and professionalism
    9 Controversies
    9.1 Boycotts
    9.2 Politics
    9.3 Use of performance enhancing drugs
    9.4 Sex discrimination
    9.5 Terrorism and Violence
    10 Citizenship
    10.1 IOC rules for citizenship
    10.2 Reasons for changing citizenship
    10.3...
  169. emirate
    the domain controlled by an emir
    In 2008, the United Arab Emirates sent female athletes (Maitha Al Maktoum competed in taekwondo, and Latifa Al Maktoum in equestrian) to the Olympic Games for the first time.
  170. committee
    a special group delegated to consider some matter
    Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894.
  171. charter
    a document creating an institution and specifying its rights
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  172. postage stamp
    a small sticker on a letter or package to show that a fee has been paid to mail it
    Revival


    A postage stamp from the first Greek Olympic stamp set.
  173. participating
    taking part in an activity
    The Olympic Games are considered to be the world's foremost sports competition with more than 200 nations participating.[2]
  174. long jump
    the act of jumping as far as possible from a running start
    Politics


    Jesse Owens on the podium after winning the long jump at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
  175. winter
    the coldest season of the year
    For the Winter Games to be held in Sochi, Russia, see 2014 Winter Olympics.
  176. superpower
    a country that can influence events throughout the world
    Superpowers jockeyed for political supremacy, and the IOC wanted to take advantage of this heightened interest via the broadcast medium.[84]
  177. Torino
    capital city of the Piemonte region of northwestern Italy
    The result of these efforts was mixed: the ratings for the 2006 Winter Games, held in Torino, Italy, were significantly lower than those for the 2002 Games, while there was a sharp increase in viewership for the 2008 Summer Olympics, staged in Beijing.[90][94]
  178. blood test
    a serologic analysis of a sample of blood
    Both urine and blood tests were used to detect banned substances.
  179. federation
    an organization formed by merging several groups or parties
    The Olympic Movement consists of international sports federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and organizing committees for each specific Olympic Games.
  180. internationally
    throughout the world
    Coubertin built on the ideas and work of Brookes and Zappas with the aim of establishing internationally rotating Olympic Games that would occur every four years.[32]
  181. synchronized
    operating in unison
    There are currently two Olympic events in which male athletes may not compete: synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics.
  182. badminton
    a game played on a court with light long-handled rackets
    Current Olympic sports, like badminton, basketball, and volleyball, first appeared on the program as demonstration sports, and were later promoted to full Olympic sports.
  183. rotate
    turn on or around an axis or a center
    Coubertin built on the ideas and work of Brookes and Zappas with the aim of establishing internationally rotating Olympic Games that would occur every four years.[32]
  184. isthmian
    of or relating to or forming an isthmus
    The Games were part of a cycle known as the Panhellenic Games, which included the Pythian Games, the Nemean Games, and the Isthmian Games.[16]
  185. broadcast
    disseminate over the airwaves, as in radio or television
    As the umbrella organization of the Olympic Movement, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is responsible for selecting the host city, overseeing the planning of the Olympic Games, updating and approving the sports program, and negotiating sponsorship and broadcasting rights.[64]
  186. terrorist group
    a political movement that uses terror as a weapon to achieve its goals
    In 1972, when the Summer Games were held in Munich, Germany, eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September in what is now known as the Munich massacre.
  187. planner
    a person who makes plans
    Going forward, the challenge for planners and managers of the Games will be to get cost overrun and costs back under control, and to reduce them further, conclude Flyvbjerg and Stewart.[97]
  188. immortalize
    make famous forever
    The winners of the events were admired and immortalized in poems and statues.[15]
  189. Saudi Arabia
    an absolute monarchy occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula in southwest Asia; vast oil reserves dominate the economy
    By 2010, only three countries had never sent female athletes to the Games: Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
  190. average cost
    total cost for all units bought (or produced) divided by the number of units
    With an average cost overrun in real terms of 179% – and 324% in nominal terms – overruns in the Games have historically been significantly larger than for other types of megaprojects.[97]
  191. Athens
    the capital and largest city of Greece; named after Athena
    The programme of the first modern Olympiad in Athens in 1896 was almost identical to that of the Liverpool Olympics.[25]
  192. basketball player
    an athlete who plays basketball
    Basketball player Becky Hammon was not being considered for the United States Olympic team but wanted to play in an Olympic Games, so she immigrated to Russia where she already played in a domestic league during the WNBA offseason.
  193. parabolic
    resembling or expressed by a short story with a moral or lesson
    A female performer, acting as a priestess, ignites a torch by placing it inside a parabolic mirror which focuses the sun's rays; she then lights the torch of the first relay bearer, thus initiating the Olympic torch relay that will carry the flame to the host city's Olympic stadium, where it plays an important role in the opening ceremony.[99]
  194. alphabetically
    in order from A to Z
    Nations then enter the stadium alphabetically according to the host country's chosen language, with the host country's athletes being the last to enter.
  195. whip up
    prepare or cook quickly or hastily
    Soviet officials defended their decision to withdraw from the Games by saying that "chauvinistic sentiments and an anti-Soviet hysteria are being whipped up in the United States".[134]
  196. forerunner
    something that precedes something or someone
    Contents [hide]
    1 Ancient Olympics
    2 Modern Games
    2.1 Forerunners
    2.2 Revival
    2.3 1896 Games
    2.4 Changes and adaptations
    2.4.1
  197. competitor
    the contestant you hope to defeat
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  198. detonate
    cause to burst with a violent release of energy
    During the Summer Olympics in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, a bomb was detonated at the Centennial Olympic Park, which killed two and injured 111 others.
  199. cross-country
    across the countryside
    Cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping, and speed skating have been featured at every Winter Olympics program since its inception in 1924.
  200. publicized
    made known; especially made widely known
    The most publicized doping-related disqualification was that of Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, who won the 100 meter dash at the 1988 Seoul Olympics but tested positive for stanozolol.
  201. Turin
    capital city of the Piemonte region of northwestern Italy
    For example, Turin hosted 2,508 athletes from 80 nations competing in 84 events during the 2006 Winter Olympics.[57]
  202. nepotism
    favoritism shown to relatives or friends by those in power
    Under the Samaranch presidency, the office was accused of both nepotism and corruption.[70]
  203. kick out
    force to leave or move out
    In July 2010, The Independent reported: "Pressure is growing on the International Olympic Committee to kick out Saudi Arabia, who are likely to be the only major nation not to include women in their Olympic team for 2012.
  204. allocate
    distribute according to a plan or set apart for a purpose
    The 1956 Winter Olympics were the first internationally televised Olympic Games,[83] and the following Winter Games had their broadcasting rights sold for the first time to specialized television broadcasting networks—CBS paid US$394,000 for the American rights,[84] and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) allocated US$660,000.[78]
  205. International
    any of several international socialist organizations
    Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894.
  206. posthumously
    after death
    His medals were posthumously restored by the IOC in 1983 on compassionate grounds.[123]
  207. delegation
    a group of representatives
    He was accused of both racism, for his handling of the apartheid issue with the South African delegation, and antisemitism.[69]
  208. Lausanne
    a city in western Switzerland
    At the 1921 Olympic Congress, in Lausanne, it was decided to hold a winter version of the Olympic Games.
  209. include
    have as a part; be made up out of
    Some of these adjustments include the creation of the Winter Games for ice and winter sports, the Paralympic Games for athletes with a disability, and the Youth Olympic Games for teenage athletes.
  210. Internationale
    a revolutionary socialist anthem
    For example, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is the IF for Association football (soccer), and the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball is the international governing body for volleyball.
  211. ban
    prohibit especially by law or social pressure
    In 1972 and 1976 a large number of African countries threatened the IOC with a boycott to force them to ban South Africa and Rhodesia, because of their segregationist regimes.
  212. terrorist attack
    a surprise attack involving the deliberate use of violence against civilians in the hope of attaining political or religious aims
    The events of that day has made security at the Olympic Games an increasing concern and focus for Olympic planners to avoid a large scale terrorist attack.[169]
  213. incur
    make oneself subject to
    Another criticism is that the Games are funded by host cities and national governments; the IOC incurs none of the cost, yet controls all the rights and profits from the Olympic symbols.
  214. erupt
    start suddenly
    The South Ossetia War between Georgia and Russia erupted on the opening day of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
  215. program
    a series of steps to be carried out
    The Olympic program, consisting of the sports to be contested at the Games, is also determined by the IOC.
  216. life sentence
    a prison term lasting as long as the prisoner lives
    The bomb was set by Eric Rudolph, an American domestic terrorist, who is currently serving a life sentence for the bombing.[168]
  217. Brooke
    English lyric poet (1887-1915)
    In 1850 an Olympian Class was started by Dr. William Penny Brookes at Much Wenlock, in Shropshire, England.
  218. skiing
    a sport in which participants must travel on skis
    Cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping, and speed skating have been featured at every Winter Olympics program since its inception in 1924.
  219. rugby
    a team sport in which players try to advance an oval-shaped ball
    From this study five recognized sports emerged as candidates for inclusion at the 2012 Summer Olympics: golf, karate, rugby union, roller sports and squash.[120]
  220. meter
    a basic unit of length (approximately 1.094 yards)
    At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, two American track and field athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who finished first and third in the 200 meters, performed the Black Power salute on the victory stand.
  221. African American
    an American whose ancestors were born in Africa
    Germany was the most successful nation at the Games, which did much to support their allegations of Aryan supremacy, but notable victories by African American Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals, and Hungarian Jew Ibolya Csák, blunted the message.[142]
  222. updating
    the act of changing something to bring it up to date
    As the umbrella organization of the Olympic Movement, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is responsible for selecting the host city, overseeing the planning of the Olympic Games, updating and approving the sports program, and negotiating sponsorship and broadcasting rights.[64]
  223. symbol
    something visible that represents something invisible
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  224. erode
    remove soil or rock
    The advent of the state-sponsored "full-time amateur athlete" of the Eastern Bloc countries further eroded the ideology of the pure amateur, as it put the self-financed amateurs of the Western countries at a disadvantage.
  225. Theodosius
    the last emperor of a united Roman Empire, he took control of the eastern empire and ended the war with the Visigoths; he became a Christian and in 391 banned all forms of pagan worship (346-395)
    While there is no scholarly consensus when the Games officially ended, the most commonly held date is 393 AD, when the emperor Theodosius I decreed that all pagan cults and practices be eliminated.[17]
  226. loudspeaker
    electro-acoustic transducer that converts electrical signals into sounds loud enough to be heard at a distance
    Effect of television


    A cartoon from the 1936 Berlin Olympics imagines the year 2000 when spectators will have been replaced by television and radio, their cheers coming from loudspeakers.
  227. disqualified
    disqualified by law or rule or provision
    Although he was officially disqualified for being overweight, Miresmaeli was awarded US$125,000 in prize money by the Iranian government, an amount paid to all Iranian gold medal winners.
  228. torch
    a light usually carried in the hand
    The celebration of the Games encompass many rituals and symbols, such as the Olympic flag and torch, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.
  229. broadcasting
    a medium that disseminates via telecommunications
    As the umbrella organization of the Olympic Movement, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is responsible for selecting the host city, overseeing the planning of the Olympic Games, updating and approving the sports program, and negotiating sponsorship and broadcasting rights.[64]
  230. Nazi Germany
    the Nazi dictatorship under Hitler (1933-1945)
    Nazi Germany wished to portray the National Socialist Party as benevolent and peace-loving when they hosted the 1936 Games, though they used the Games to display Aryan superiority.[141]
  231. television
    an electronic device that receives television signals and displays them on a screen
    Youth Games
    2.5 Recent games
    3 International Olympic Committee
    3.1 Criticism
    4 Commercialization
    4.1 Budget
    4.2 Effect of television
    4.3 Controversy
    5 Cost
    6 Symbols
    7 Ceremonies
    7.1 Opening
    7.2 Closing
    7.3 Medal presentation
    8 Sports
    8.1 Amateurism and professionalism
    9 Controversies
    9.1 Boycotts
    9.2 Politics
    9.3 Use of performance enhancing drugs
    9.4 Sex discrimination
    9.5 Terrorism and Violence
    10 Citizenship
    10.1 IOC rules for citizenship
    10.2 Reasons for changing citizenship
    10.3...
  232. criterion
    the ideal in terms of which something can be judged
    The commission formulated seven criteria to judge whether a sport should be included on the Olympic program.[120]
  233. runner
    someone who travels on foot by running
    His gold medal was subsequently stripped and awarded to American runner-up Carl Lewis, who himself had tested positive for banned substances prior to the Olympics.[152]
  234. discus
    an athletic competition in which a circular object is thrown
    The Ancient Games featured running events, a pentathlon (consisting of a jumping event, discus and javelin throws, a foot race, and wrestling), boxing, wrestling, pankration, and equestrian events.[11][12]
  235. flag
    a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
    The celebration of the Games encompass many rituals and symbols, such as the Olympic flag and torch, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.
  236. interlocking
    linked or locked closely together as by dovetailing
    Members of TOP received exclusive global advertising rights for their product category, and use of the Olympic symbol, the interlocking rings, in their publications and advertisements.[81]
  237. disqualification
    unfitness that bars one from participation in an activity
    The most publicized doping-related disqualification was that of Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, who won the 100 meter dash at the 1988 Seoul Olympics but tested positive for stanozolol.
  238. officially
    in an authoritative role
    While there is no scholarly consensus when the Games officially ended, the most commonly held date is 393 AD, when the emperor Theodosius I decreed that all pagan cults and practices be eliminated.[17]
  239. envision
    imagine, conceive of, or see in one's mind
    As a result, the Olympics shifted away from pure amateurism, as envisioned by Coubertin, to allow participation of professional athletes.
  240. Cold War
    a state of political hostility that existed from 1945 until 1990 between countries led by the Soviet Union and countries led by the United States
    Large boycotts during the Cold War limited participation in the 1980 and 1984 Games.
  241. runner-up
    the competitor who finishes second
    His gold medal was subsequently stripped and awarded to American runner-up Carl Lewis, who himself had tested positive for banned substances prior to the Olympics.[152]
  242. worsen
    grow worse
    For example, cost overrun and debt from Athens 2004 substantially worsened Greece's financial and economic crises 2008–12.
  243. finalist
    a contestant who reaches the final stages of a competition
    Of the five sports recommended for inclusion only two were selected as finalists: karate and squash.[120]
  244. Saudi
    of or relating to Saudi Arabia or its people
    By 2010, only three countries had never sent female athletes to the Games: Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
  245. unpatriotic
    showing lack of love for your country
    Hammon received criticism from some Americans, including the US national team coach, even being called unpatriotic.[174]
  246. Greco
    Spanish painter (born in Greece) remembered for his religious works characterized by elongated human forms and dramatic use of color (1541-1614)
    For example, wrestling is a Summer Olympic sport, comprising two disciplines: Greco-Roman and Freestyle.
  247. diploma
    a document certifying the completion of a course of study
    From 1948 onward athletes placing fourth, fifth, and sixth have received certificates, which became officially known as victory diplomas; in 1984 victory diplomas for seventh- and eighth-place finishers were added.
  248. strychnine
    an alkaloid plant toxin extracted chiefly from nux vomica
    For example, the winner of the marathon at the 1904 Games, Thomas Hicks, was given strychnine and brandy by his coach.[148]
  249. terrorist
    a radical who advocates violence against civilians
    In 1972, when the Summer Games were held in Munich, Germany, eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September in what is now known as the Munich massacre.
  250. boxing
    boxing with bare hands
    The Ancient Games featured running events, a pentathlon (consisting of a jumping event, discus and javelin throws, a foot race, and wrestling), boxing, wrestling, pankration, and equestrian events.[11][12]
  251. sporting
    relating to or used in sports
    The Olympics were of fundamental religious importance, featuring sporting events alongside ritual sacrifices honoring both Zeus (whose famous statue by Phidias stood in his temple at Olympia) and Pelops, divine hero and mythical king of Olympia.
  252. rounder
    a tool for rounding corners or edges
    In this ethos, a gentleman was one who became an all-rounder, not the best at one specific thing.
  253. peace-loving
    inclined or disposed to peace
    Nazi Germany wished to portray the National Socialist Party as benevolent and peace-loving when they hosted the 1936 Games, though they used the Games to display Aryan superiority.[141]
  254. terrorism
    the use of violence against civilians for ideological goals
    Such growth has created numerous challenges, including boycotts, doping, bribery, and terrorism.
  255. gather in
    fold up
    Closing


    Athletes gather in the stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
  256. wrestling
    the sport of hand-to-hand struggle between unarmed contestants who try to throw each other down
    The Ancient Games featured running events, a pentathlon (consisting of a jumping event, discus and javelin throws, a foot race, and wrestling), boxing, wrestling, pankration, and equestrian events.[11][12]
  257. amateur
    someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
    Devised by John Hulley and Charles Melly, these games were the first to be wholly amateur in nature and international in outlook, although only 'gentlemen amateurs' could compete.[23][24]
  258. outlast
    live longer than
    The artistic presentations have grown in scale and complexity as successive hosts attempt to provide a ceremony that outlasts its predecessor's in terms of memorability.
  259. Rio de Janeiro
    the former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil
    For the Summer Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro, see 2016 Summer Olympics.
  260. Sion
    originally a stronghold captured by David
    A prominent IOC member, Marc Hodler, strongly connected with the rival bid of Sion, Switzerland, alleged bribery of IOC officials by members of the Turin Organizing Committee.
  261. semi
    a truck consisting of a tractor and trailer together
    The 1912 Olympic pentathlon and decathlon champion Jim Thorpe was stripped of his medals when it was discovered that he had played semi-professional baseball before the Olympics.
  262. real time
    the actual time that it takes a process to occur
    This was attributed to two factors: one was the increased competition from cable channels, the second was the internet, which was able to display results and video in real time.
  263. digit
    a finger or toe, or a corresponding body part
    However, London 2012 has reversed this trend with a cost overrun that, at 101% in real terms, is back in the three-digit territory.
  264. stardom
    the status of being acknowledged as a star
    It has played an important part on the Games identity promotion since the 1980 Summer Olympics, when the Russian bear cub Misha reached international stardom.[100]
  265. bronze
    an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements
    The first, second, and third place finishers in each event receive Olympic medals: gold, silver, and bronze, respectively.
  266. sprinter
    someone who runs a short distance at top speed
    The most publicized doping-related disqualification was that of Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, who won the 100 meter dash at the 1988 Seoul Olympics but tested positive for stanozolol.
  267. Bahrain
    an island in the Persian Gulf
    In 2000, Bahrain sent two women competitors for the first time: Fatema Hameed Gerashi and Mariam Mohamed Hadi Al Hilli.[157]
  268. represent
    be a delegate or spokesperson for
    The Games have grown in scale to the point that nearly every nation is represented.
  269. exemplify
    be characteristic of
    The ethos of the aristocracy as exemplified in the English public school greatly influenced Pierre de Coubertin.[122]
  270. qualify
    prove capable or fit; meet requirements
    The current version of the Charter allows for the establishment of new National Olympic Committees to represent nation which qualify as "an independent State recognised by the international community".[60]
  271. Owens
    United States athlete and Black American whose success in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin outraged Hitler (1913-1980)
    Politics


    Jesse Owens on the podium after winning the long jump at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
  272. saturation
    the process of totally infusing something with a substance
    Specific criticism was levelled at the IOC for market saturation during the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Games.
  273. hockey
    a game played on an ice rink by two opposing teams of six skaters each who try to knock a flat round puck into the opponents' goal with angled sticks
    Winter Games
    Main article: Winter Olympic Games


    An ice hockey game during the 1928 Winter Olympics at St. Moritz.
  274. inclusion
    the act of making a part of something
    From this study five recognized sports emerged as candidates for inclusion at the 2012 Summer Olympics: golf, karate, rugby union, roller sports and squash.[120]
  275. ski
    narrow wood or metal or plastic runners used in pairs for gliding over snow
    Cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping, and speed skating have been featured at every Winter Olympics program since its inception in 1924.
  276. squash
    any of the plants of the gourd family grown for their fruit
    From this study five recognized sports emerged as candidates for inclusion at the 2012 Summer Olympics: golf, karate, rugby union, roller sports and squash.[120]
  277. emulate
    strive to equal or match, especially by imitating
    L'Olympiade de la République, a national Olympic festival held annually from 1796 to 1798 in Revolutionary France also attempted to emulate the ancient Olympic Games.[20]
  278. auspices
    kindly endorsement and guidance
    On the last day of the Congress, it was decided that the first Olympic Games, to come under the auspices of the IOC, would take place in Athens in 1896.[33]
  279. Arabia
    a peninsula between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf
    By 2010, only three countries had never sent female athletes to the Games: Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
  280. Romanian
    of or relating to or characteristic of the country of Romania or its people or languages
    Evangelos Zappas, a wealthy Greek-Romanian philanthropist, first wrote to King Otto of Greece, in 1856, offering to fund a permanent revival of the Olympic Games.[29]
  281. Nordic
    relating to Germany and Scandinavia
    Cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping, and speed skating have been featured at every Winter Olympics program since its inception in 1924.
  282. fielding
    (baseball) handling the ball while playing in the field
    Women were first allowed to compete at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, but at the 1992 Summer Olympics thirty-five countries were still fielding all-male delegations.[155]
  283. contested
    disputed or made the object of contention or competition
    The Olympic program, consisting of the sports to be contested at the Games, is also determined by the IOC.
  284. feature
    a prominent attribute or aspect of something
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  285. worsened
    made or become worse; impaired
    For example, cost overrun and debt from Athens 2004 substantially worsened Greece's financial and economic crises 2008–12.
  286. competition
    the act of contending with others for rewards or resources
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  287. cyclist
    a person who rides a bike
    During the cycling road race, Danish cyclist Knud Enemark Jensen fell from his bicycle and later died.
  288. Zeus
    the supreme god of ancient Greek mythology
    The Ancient Olympic Games were a religious and athletic festival held every four years at the sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia, Greece among representatives of several city-states and kingdoms of Ancient Greece.
  289. softball
    a game closely resembling baseball that is played on a smaller diamond and with a ball that is larger and softer
    Three years later, at the 117th IOC Session, the first major program revision was performed, which resulted in the exclusion of baseball and softball from the official program of the 2012 London Games.
  290. international
    concerning or belonging to two or more countries
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  291. Seoul
    the capital of South Korea and the largest city of Asia
    Since the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, the host city for the Olympics has also played host to the Paralympics.[45]
  292. Salt Lake City
    the capital and largest city of Utah
    In 1998, it was uncovered that several IOC members had taken bribes from members of the Salt Lake City bid committee for the hosting of the 2002 Winter Olympics, to ensure their votes were cast in favor of the American bid.
  293. bloc
    a group united for a particular purpose
    The advent of the state-sponsored "full-time amateur athlete" of the Eastern Bloc countries further eroded the ideology of the pure amateur, as it put the self-financed amateurs of the Western countries at a disadvantage.
  294. wide-ranging
    including much
    These accusations led to a wide-ranging investigation.
  295. lead up
    set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
    It was first organized by the lawyer Robert Dover between 1612 and 1642, with several later revivals leading up to the present day.
  296. hold
    have in one's hands or grip
    For the most recent Summer Games that were held in London, see 2012 Summer Olympics.
  297. gram
    a unit of mass approximately equal to 0.035 ounces
    Every gold medal however must contain at least six grams of pure gold.[175]
  298. commemorative
    intended to honor the memory of someone or something
    The Greek government also provided funding, which was expected to be recouped through the sale of tickets to the Games and from the sale of the first Olympic commemorative stamp set.[39]
  299. September 11
    the day in 2001 when Arab suicide bombers hijacked United States airliners and used them as bombs
    The 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, took place just five months after the September 11 attacks, which meant a higher level of security than ever before provided for an Olympic games.
  300. boxer
    someone who fights with fists for sport
    As of 2004, the only sports in which no professionals compete are boxing and wrestling, although even this requires a definition of amateurism based on fight rules rather than on payment, as some boxers and wrestlers receive cash prizes from their National Olympic Committees.
  301. expedite
    process fast and efficiently
    Budd was eligible for British citizenship because her grandfather was born there, but British citizens accused the government of expediting the citizenship process for her.[172]
  302. cost
    be priced at
    Youth Games
    2.5 Recent games
    3 International Olympic Committee
    3.1 Criticism
    4 Commercialization
    4.1 Budget
    4.2 Effect of television
    4.3 Controversy
    5 Cost
    6 Symbols
    7 Ceremonies
    7.1 Opening
    7.2 Closing
    7.3 Medal presentation
    8 Sports
    8.1 Amateurism and professionalism
    9 Controversies
    9.1 Boycotts
    9.2 Politics
    9.3 Use of performance enhancing drugs
    9.4 Sex discrimination
    9.5 Terrorism and Violence
    10 Citizenship
    10.1 IOC rules for citizenship
    10.2 Reasons for changing citizenship
    10.3...
  303. 120
    the cardinal number that is the product of ten and twelve
    The goal was to apply a systematic approach to establishing the Olympic program for each celebration of the Games.[120]
  304. prime time
    the hours between 7 and 11 p.m. when the largest tv audience is available
    Finally, the American television lobby was able to dictate when certain events were held so that they could be broadcast live during prime time in the United States.[93]
  305. cancel
    declare null and void
    Terrorism and Violence
    Three Olympiads had to pass without a celebration of the Games because of war: the 1916 Games were cancelled because of World War I, and the summer and winter games of 1940 and 1944 were cancelled because of World War II.
  306. skate
    sports equipment that is worn on the feet to enable the wearer to glide along and to be propelled by the alternate actions of the legs
    Figure skating (in 1908 and 1920) and ice hockey (in 1920) were featured as Olympic events at the Summer Olympics.
  307. follow suit
    do what someone else is doing
    By the mid-1960s, sports federations were starting to ban the use of performance enhancing drugs; in 1967 the IOC followed suit.[150]
  308. lobby
    a large entrance or reception room or area
    Brundage believed the lobby of corporate interests would unduly impact the IOC's decision-making.[77]
  309. promote
    assign to a higher position
    Paralympics
    Main article: Paralympic Games
    In 1948, Sir Ludwig Guttmann, determined to promote the rehabilitation of soldiers after World War II, organized a multi-sport event between several hospitals to coincide with the 1948 London Olympics.
  310. cafeteria
    a restaurant where you serve yourself and pay a cashier
    This village is intended to be a self-contained home for all the Olympic participants, and is furnished with cafeterias, health clinics, and locations for religious expression.[58]
  311. Greece
    ancient Greece
    Their creation was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD.
  312. disability
    a condition that prevents one from performing some task
    Some of these adjustments include the creation of the Winter Games for ice and winter sports, the Paralympic Games for athletes with a disability, and the Youth Olympic Games for teenage athletes.
  313. recoup
    regain or make up for
    The Greek government also provided funding, which was expected to be recouped through the sale of tickets to the Games and from the sale of the first Olympic commemorative stamp set.[39]
  314. Aryan
    a member of the prehistoric people who spoke Proto-Indo European
    Nazi Germany wished to portray the National Socialist Party as benevolent and peace-loving when they hosted the 1936 Games, though they used the Games to display Aryan superiority.[141]
  315. Ottoman
    of or relating to the Ottoman Empire or its people or its culture
    Greek interest in reviving the Olympic Games began with the Greek War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821.
  316. boxers
    underpants worn by men
    As of 2004, the only sports in which no professionals compete are boxing and wrestling, although even this requires a definition of amateurism based on fight rules rather than on payment, as some boxers and wrestlers receive cash prizes from their National Olympic Committees.
  317. awash
    covered with water
    The cities were awash in corporations and merchants attempting to sell Olympic-related wares.[95]
  318. Montreal
    a city in southern Quebec province on the Saint Lawrence River; the largest city in Quebec and 2nd largest in Canada; the 2nd largest French-speaking city in the world
    They found that over the past 50 years the most costly Games have been London 2012 (USD14.8 billion), Barcelona 1992 (USD11.4 billion), and Montreal 1976 (USD6 billion).
  319. athletic
    relating to sports
    The Ancient Olympic Games were a religious and athletic festival held every four years at the sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia, Greece among representatives of several city-states and kingdoms of Ancient Greece.
  320. chipping
    the act of chipping something
    The first such event was the Cotswold Games or "Cotswold Olimpick Games", an annual meeting near Chipping Campden, England, involving various country sports.
  321. hoist
    raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help
    It has since been hoisted during each celebration of the Games.[98]
  322. Tony Blair
    British statesman who became prime minister in 1997
    After being narrowly defeated in their bid for the 2012 Summer Games,[74] Parisian Mayor Bertrand Delanoë specifically accused the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the London Bid Committee (headed by former Olympic champion Sebastian Coe) of breaking the bid rules.
  323. bring together
    cause to become joined or linked
    These Games brought together 14 nations and 241 athletes who competed in 43 events.[35]
  324. coincide
    happen simultaneously
    Paralympics
    Main article: Paralympic Games
    In 1948, Sir Ludwig Guttmann, determined to promote the rehabilitation of soldiers after World War II, organized a multi-sport event between several hospitals to coincide with the 1948 London Olympics.
  325. skating
    the sport of gliding on skates
    Figure skating (in 1908 and 1920) and ice hockey (in 1920) were featured as Olympic events at the Summer Olympics.
  326. bid
    propose a payment
    Olympic Games

    Organizations
    Charter IOC NOCs Symbols
    Sports Competitors
    Medal tables Medalists Ceremonies Bidding
    Games
    Ancient Olympic Games
    Summer Olympic Games
    Winter Olympic Games
    Paralympic Games
    Youth Olympic Games
    The modern Olympic Games (French: les Jeux olympiques, JO[1]) are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.
  327. Taipei
    the capital of Nationalist China; located in northern Taiwan
    Taiwan did not participate again until 1984, when it returned under the name of Chinese Taipei and with a special flag and anthem.[132]
  328. ritual
    the prescribed procedure for conducting religious ceremonies
    The celebration of the Games encompass many rituals and symbols, such as the Olympic flag and torch, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.
  329. Helsinki
    the capital and largest city of Finland
    The Soviet Union did not participate until the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.
  330. winner
    a person with a record of successes
    The most widely accepted inception date for the Ancient Olympics is 776 BC; this is based on inscriptions, found at Olympia, listing the winners of a footrace held every four years starting in 776 BC.[10]
  331. controversy
    a dispute where there is strong disagreement
    Youth Games
    2.5 Recent games
    3 International Olympic Committee
    3.1 Criticism
    4 Commercialization
    4.1 Budget
    4.2 Effect of television
    4.3 Controversy
    5 Cost
    6 Symbols
    7 Ceremonies
    7.1 Opening
    7.2 Closing
    7.3 Medal presentation
    8 Sports
    8.1 Amateurism and professionalism
    9 Controversies
    9.1 Boycotts
    9.2 Politics
    9.3 Use of performance enhancing drugs
    9.4 Sex discrimination
    9.5 Terrorism and Violence
    10 Citizenship
    10.1 IOC rules for citizenship
    10.2 Reasons for changing citizenship
    10.3...
  332. cancelled
    no longer planned or scheduled
    Terrorism and Violence
    Three Olympiads had to pass without a celebration of the Games because of war: the 1916 Games were cancelled because of World War I, and the summer and winter games of 1940 and 1944 were cancelled because of World War II.
  333. coffer
    the funds of a government, institution, or individual
    When Brundage retired the IOC had US$2 million in assets; eight years later the IOC coffers had swelled to US$45 million.[77]
  334. envisioned
    seen in the mind as a mental image
    As a result, the Olympics shifted away from pure amateurism, as envisioned by Coubertin, to allow participation of professional athletes.
  335. skier
    someone who skis
    Swiss and Austrian skiers boycotted the 1936 Winter Olympics in support of their skiing teachers, who were not allowed to compete because they earned money with their sport and were thus considered professionals.[124]
  336. bribe
    payment made to corrupt a person in a position of trust
    In 1998, it was uncovered that several IOC members had taken bribes from members of the Salt Lake City bid committee for the hosting of the 2002 Winter Olympics, to ensure their votes were cast in favor of the American bid.
  337. revival
    bringing again into activity and prominence
    Contents [hide]
    1 Ancient Olympics
    2 Modern Games
    2.1 Forerunners
    2.2 Revival
    2.3 1896 Games
    2.4 Changes and adaptations
    2.4.1
  338. relay
    passing something along from one person or group to another
    A female performer, acting as a priestess, ignites a torch by placing it inside a parabolic mirror which focuses the sun's rays; she then lights the torch of the first relay bearer, thus initiating the Olympic torch relay that will carry the flame to the host city's Olympic stadium, where it plays an important role in the opening ceremony.[99]
  339. Phidias
    ancient Greek sculptor (circa 500-432 BC)
    The Olympics were of fundamental religious importance, featuring sporting events alongside ritual sacrifices honoring both Zeus (whose famous statue by Phidias stood in his temple at Olympia) and Pelops, divine hero and mythical king of Olympia.
  340. generate
    bring into existence
    These Games, which were hosted at the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, attracted a broad international field of participants and generated great public interest.
  341. typically
    in a manner conforming to a type
    Cost here includes only sports-related costs and thus does not include other public costs, such as road, rail, or airport infrastructure, or private costs, such as hotel upgrades or other business investments incurred in preparation of the Games, which are typically substantial but which vary drastically from city to city and are difficult to compare consistently.[97]
  342. Aruba
    a popular island resort in the Netherlands Antilles
    Therefore, it did not allow the formation of National Olympic Committees for Sint Maarten and Curaçao when they gained the same constitutional status as Aruba in 2010, although the IOC had recognized the Aruban Olympic Committee in 1986.[61][62]
  343. eroded
    worn away as by water or ice or wind
    The advent of the state-sponsored "full-time amateur athlete" of the Eastern Bloc countries further eroded the ideology of the pure amateur, as it put the self-financed amateurs of the Western countries at a disadvantage.
  344. Oceania
    a large group of islands in the south Pacific including Melanesia and Micronesia and Polynesia (and sometimes Australasia and the Malay Archipelago)
    Since the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, the Olympics have been held in Asia or Oceania four times, a sharp increase compared to the previous 92 years of modern Olympic history.
  345. Mexico City
    the capital and largest city of Mexico is a political and cultural and commercial and industrial center; one of the world's largest cities
    Global audience estimates for the 1968 Mexico City Games was 600 million, whereas at the Los Angeles Games of 1984, the audience numbers had increased to 900 million; that number swelled to 3.5 billion by the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.[87]
  346. ground zero
    the target of a projectile (as a bomb or missile)
    They included the flag that flew at Ground Zero, NYPD officer Daniel Rodríguez singing "God Bless America", and honor guards of NYPD and FDNY members.
  347. semifinal
    the round in a competition before the last round
    In events contested by a single-elimination tournament (most notably boxing), third place might not be determined and both semifinal losers receive bronze medals.
  348. all-round
    many-sided
    In this ethos, a gentleman was one who became an all-rounder, not the best at one specific thing.
  349. drug
    a substance that is used as a medicine or narcotic
    Youth Games
    2.5 Recent games
    3 International Olympic Committee
    3.1 Criticism
    4 Commercialization
    4.1 Budget
    4.2 Effect of television
    4.3 Controversy
    5 Cost
    6 Symbols
    7 Ceremonies
    7.1 Opening
    7.2 Closing
    7.3 Medal presentation
    8 Sports
    8.1 Amateurism and professionalism
    9 Controversies
    9.1 Boycotts
    9.2 Politics
    9.3 Use of performance enhancing drugs
    9.4 Sex discrimination
    9.5 Terrorism and Violence
    10 Citizenship
    10.1 IOC rules for citizenship
    10.2 Reasons for changing citizenship
    10.3...
  350. ignite
    cause to start burning
    A female performer, acting as a priestess, ignites a torch by placing it inside a parabolic mirror which focuses the sun's rays; she then lights the torch of the first relay bearer, thus initiating the Olympic torch relay that will carry the flame to the host city's Olympic stadium, where it plays an important role in the opening ceremony.[99]
  351. tantamount
    being essentially equal to something
    There was also a prevailing concept of fairness, in which practicing or training was considered tantamount to cheating.[122]
  352. rating
    standing or position on a scale
    However, at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, NBC drew the lowest ratings for any Summer or Winter Olympics since 1968.[88]
  353. shaded
    protected from heat and light
    Countries that have hosted one Summer Olympics are shaded green, while countries that have hosted two or more are shaded blue.
  354. funded
    furnished with funds
    Zappas funded the restoration of the ancient Panathenaic Stadium so that it could host all future Olympic Games.[29]
  355. fencing
    a barrier that serves to enclose an area
    Athletics, swimming, fencing, and artistic gymnastics are the only summer sports that have never been absent from the Olympic program.
  356. advertise
    make publicity for; try to sell
    It was not until the retirement of IOC president Avery Brundage, in 1972, that the IOC began to explore the potential of the television medium and the lucrative advertising markets available to them.[77]
  357. revision
    the act of altering
    These sports are not considered Olympic sports, but they can be promoted to this status during a program revision that occurs in the first IOC session following a celebration of the Olympic Games.[116][117]
  358. govern
    exercise authority over, as of nations
    The IOC has since become the governing body of the Olympic Movement, with the Olympic Charter defining its structure and authority.
  359. currently
    at this time or period
    The Games are currently held biennially, with Summer and Winter Olympic Games alternating, meaning they each occur every four years.
  360. Sorbonne
    a university in Paris; intellectual center of France
    This meeting was held from 16 to 23 June 1894, at the Sorbonne University in Paris.
  361. accuse
    blame for; make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against
    He was accused of both racism, for his handling of the apartheid issue with the South African delegation, and antisemitism.[69]
  362. organise
    arrange by systematic planning and united effort
    Chairman of the London organising committee, Lord Coe, said about the 2012 Summer Paralympics and Olympics in London, England that,
    We want to change public attitudes towards disability, celebrate the excellence of Paralympic sport and to enshrine from the very outset that the two Games are an integrated whole.[48]
  363. progenitor
    an ancestor in the direct line
    The origin of these Olympics is shrouded in mystery and legend;[4] one of the most popular myths identifies Heracles and his father Zeus as the progenitors of the Games.[5][6][7]
  364. recognize
    perceive to be something or something you can identify
    These Games are not officially recognized by the IOC and no Intercalated Games have been held since.
  365. cancellation
    the act of calling off or revoking a planned event or agreement
    World wars led to the cancellation of the 1916, 1940, and 1944 Games.
  366. integrate
    make into a whole or make part of a whole
    Chairman of the London organising committee, Lord Coe, said about the 2012 Summer Paralympics and Olympics in London, England that,
    We want to change public attitudes towards disability, celebrate the excellence of Paralympic sport and to enshrine from the very outset that the two Games are an integrated whole.[48]
  367. city
    a large and densely populated urban area
    As the decision-making body, the IOC is responsible for choosing the host city for each Olympic Games.
  368. hostage
    a prisoner held to insure that another party will meet terms
    In 1972, when the Summer Games were held in Munich, Germany, eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September in what is now known as the Munich massacre.
  369. consist
    have its essential character
    The Olympic Movement consists of international sports federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and organizing committees for each specific Olympic Games.
Created on Tue Sep 18 18:17:29 EDT 2012

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