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The Olympic Games: beyond the medals

The Olympic Movement advocates using sport not just as a physical activity but also as a means of educating people through good sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for fellow athletes. It encourages men and women of different races, religions, and nationalities to work peacefully together in competition toward common goals. The Olympic Movement works to expand these lessons beyond the sports arena in the hope of promoting peace and a sense of brotherhood throughout the world.

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."
Baron Pierre de Courbertin, founder of the modern Olympic Movement.

I. The Olympic movement
Download the handout The Olympic Principles and Traditions and distribute to the class. As a class read and discuss how the principles and traditions relate to the Olympic Games today.

II. Select related activities from the followng sites or search the many other resources available on the internet.

1. The official website of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games - Games of the XXVIII Olympiad.
2. Australian Sports Commission is the site of the Australian Government body that coordinates the Government's commitment to sport. It provides national leadership in all facets of sport from the elite level through to the wider sporting community.
3. CBBC Newsround Homepage is a BBC current affairs site providing activities for students and teachers.
   • Globalisation - social implications
     The Olympic Movement was set up to work towards a more peaceful world by bringing countries together through sport. This activity asks students to consider the Movement's oath, motto and creed.
   • CBBC Newsround Olympic Quizzes
4. The New York Times Learning Network has developed lesson plan units that use recent New York Times articles as springboards for examining important curricular topics in interesting and exciting ways. There is a wealth of material related to the current and past Olympic Games.
   • It's All Greek to Us Examining How Ancient Greece Has Influenced the Modern World
     In this lesson, students will consider how Ancient Greece has influenced the modern world and examine the significance of having the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. They then create displays for an exhibition illustrating influential aspects of Greek culture.
   • Olympic Continent Examining African Participation in World Sports
     In this lesson, students will consider the role of the Olympics as part of a nation's culture, discover the impact long-distance runners have had on Ethiopia and explore various African nations through the lens of the Olympic Games.
   • The Sporting Life Exploring the Importance of the First Olympic Games In this lesson, students learn about events and cultural significance of the first Olympic Games in Greece. They research and reenact scenes from these Games and reflect on the importance of understanding the Games' original importance.
5. Edgate is a site, originating in Washington State, USA, managed by experienced educators dedicated to helping teachers and students harness the Internet's vast resources to address their specific needs. There are some excellent Olympic values related lesson plans including:
   • Heroes and Heroines The Spirit of the Olympic Games
     Students will consider the qualities and characteristics of heroes/heroines. Students will identify heroes/heroines in their own life experiences or through personal research. Students will be challenged to foster the positive and supportive characteristics of heroes/heroines in their own lives.
   • Learning from the Past Origin of the Modern Summer Games
     Students will compare and contrast the modern and ancient Olympic Games. Students will consider how people use ideas from the past to enrich the present.
   • The Birth of Olympism: A Legacy of Peace The Birth of the Ancient Games
     Students will complete a map of ancient Greece, identifying key locations in the story of the ancient Olympic Games. Students will analyse the contributions of ancient Greek society in helping to establish the foundations of the ancient Olympic Games. Students will analyse the ways in which Greek athletes worked for excellence in overcoming physical challenges. Students will create suggestions for promoting the spirit of peace in their homes, schools, and communities.
   • National Customs The Birth of the Ancient Games
     Students will comprehend that each country has customs that are understood and accepted by its people. Students will study familiar and unfamiliar customs of other nations. Students will prepare a travel guide to help tourists visiting a foreign country.
   
   Date: 17 August 2004