Pierre de Coubertin founded the modern Olympics in the late 1800s. He envisioned physical education and athleticism as important parts of life. Some key aspects he established include the Olympic flag featuring 5 rings to represent the 5 inhabited continents, the Olympic torch relay tradition, and the Olympic motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius" meaning "Faster, Higher, Stronger". The Olympics have since grown to be a global event held every 4 years that brings together athletes from around the world.

1. The Modern
Olympics
By Ruby and Seth

2. The Baron Pierre de
Coubertin
• Pierre was born in Paris (France) on the 1st of January 1863 into
an established aristocratic family. He died from a stroke at the
age of 74 on the 2nd of September 1937 in Geneva,
Switzerland. He was buried in Olympia.
• Coubertin had the idea of beginning the modern Olympics. In
his late 20’s he wanted fitness and athleticism to be part of
everyday life. He believed physical education should be an
important part of life. Soon he combined his feelings and effort
together to bring the the long-dead Olympics into the modern
generation.

3. The Olympic Flag
• The Olympic Flag represents the five continents that
participate at the Olympics. The continents include
America, Asia, Africa, Europe and Oceania.
• The Olympic Flag was originally designed by Pierre de
Coubertin in 1914. Pierre de Coubertin is said to have
discovered the five rings symbols engraved on an Altar-
stone unearthed at Delphi.
• The Olympic Flag measures 2.06m long, 60cm high
and is completely white with five rings connected
together in the centre. The Olympic flag is a symbol of
tranquility, goodwill, global solidarity and tolerance.

4. Host Cities
• Since 1896 there has been 29 Summer Olympic
Games held in 22 different cities. The Summer
Olympics are held every four years. London have
hosted three Summer Olympic Games. The United
States have hosted four more Summer Olympic
Games, more than any other Nation. When the 2012
Summer Olympics have finished the UK would have
hosted three Summer Olympic Games.

5. Torch Relay and
Flame
• The Olympic Flame is a symbol of the Olympic
Games. Commemorating the theft of fire from the king
of the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus, its origins lie in
ancient Greece, where a fire was kept burning
throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics.
The first modern Olympic torch to be lit was at the
1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, and has been
part of the modern Olympics ever since. The starting
location of the Olympic torch relay depends on where
the Olympics is being held.
• 41% of torchbearers are female and 59% are male.
8,000 circles perforate the design of the Torch to
represent each one of the Torchbearers participating.

6. The Olympic Oath
• The Olympic Oath is one of the rituals of the Olympic
Games. It is taken by an athlete from the host country,
on behalf of all the athletes, judges and referees. The
Olympic Oath was changed because it needed to
include good sportsmanship.
• The original oath was: We swear that we will take part
in the Olympic Games in a spirit of chivalry, for the
honour of our country and for the glory of sport. The
modern oath was: In the name of all the competitors, I
promise that we shall take part in the Olympic Games,
respecting by the rules that govern them,committing
ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs,
in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport
and the honour of our teams.

7. Creed & Motto
• The Olympic motto is Hendiatris Citius, Altius, Fortius,
which is Latin for "Faster, Higher, Stronger". The motto
was made by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894. De
Coubertin borrowed it from his friend Henri Didon, a
Dominican priest who, amongst other things, was an
athletics enthusiast. The motto was read in 1924 at the
Olympic Games in Paris.
• The Olympic Creed has appeared on the scoreboard
during Opening Ceremony at every modern Olympic
Games. Baron de Coubertin was i adopted this creed
after he heard a sermon by the Bishop of Pennsylvania,
at a service for Olympic Athletes in 1908. It means that
in our life, just like in the Olympics, winning is not the
most important thing. It is the ultimate challenge for
which we all struggle as we strive to be "Swifter,
Higher, Stronger."

8. Olympic Mascot
• The Olympic mascot is a character, usually an animal
or character native to the location of where the
Olympics is currently being held. The Olympic mascot
was designed by the London creative agency Iris.
• Right: The London Olympic Mascots
• The Olympic mascots usually have the flag or an
emblem of their country on them.