《The Olympic Games》背景材料-文字素材4（新人教必修2）.docVIP

Module 2 Unit 2 背景材料 Unforgettable Games, Dream Games A grand celebration, the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games, which for 17 days returned to Greece, the country where they were originally born and the city where they revived, is completed. These Games broke many records. Athens hosted 11099 athletes, the largest number ever and the most women athletes ever. Representatives of 202 countries took part, more than any other sport event. The Olympic flame traveled for the first time to all continents. Shot Put was held in Olympia and women competed there for the first time. Four billion viewers all over the world watched these Games. They all saw Greece, inside and outside the stadiums. With a warm Closing Ceremony, full of music and singing, Athens bade a final farewell to the athletes and its guests. The Olympic Games According to tradition, the Olympic Games began in 776 B. C. The Olympics were held, after the completion of four years during the month of July or August. The time in between two Olympic Games was called an Olympiad. In the beginning of the games lasted only one day and comprised of only one event, running but gradually more events were added resulting, towards the 5th century B. C., in the games lasting 5 days. In total the Olympic Games consisted of 10 events: running, the pentathlon, jumping, discus, “ekebolon” javelin, wrestling, boxing, the pancration, chariot racing and horse racing. The ancient Olympic Games stopped in 393 A. D.. The Summer Games I. 1896 Athens, Greece II. 1900 Paris, France III. 1904 St. Louis, U.S.A. IV. 1908 London, England V. 1912 Stockholm, Sweden VI. 1916 Cancelled (World War I) VII. 1920 Antwerp, Belgium VIII. 1924 Paris, France IX. 1928 Amsterdam, the Netherlands X. 1932 Los Angeles, U. S. A. XI. 1936 Berlin, Germany