A main event in the Olympics is the lighting of the torch. The idea for the Olympic flame was derived from ancient Greek ceremonies where a sacred fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics on the altar of the sanctuary of Hestia. In Ancient Greek mythology, fire had divine connotations and was thought to have been stolen from the gods by Prometheus. Sacred fires were present at many ancient Greek sanctuaries, including those at Olympia. Every four years, when Zeus was honored at the Olympic Games, additional fires were lit at his temple and that of his wife, Hera.
The modern Olympic flame is ignited every two years in front of the ruins of the temple of Hera. The tradition of the Olympic Torch Relay started at the 1936 Berlin Games. The flame is lit in Olympia, Greece, several months before the Olympic Games and travels to the host city, symbolizing the connection between the ancient and modern Games.
This ceremony initiates the Olympic torch relay, which formally concludes with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. The flame then continues to burn in the cauldron for the duration of the Games until it is extinguished during the Olympic closing ceremony.
A Few Fun Facts:
- Women in the Olympics: Women first competed in the modern Olympics in the 1900 Paris Games. Initially, they participated in sports like tennis, sailing, croquet, equestrianism, and golf.
- Discontinued Sports: Some sports have been discontinued from the Olympic program over the years, such as tug-of-war, which was an official Olympic sport from 1900 to 1920.
- Unusual Events: In the early 20th century, there were some unusual events, including live pigeon shooting (1900), solo synchronized swimming (1984-1992), and rope climbing (1896, 1904, 1906, 1924).
- For the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, there have been some changes in the sports program with certain events being removed and new ones being introduced:
Events Removed
- Karate: Karate, which was included in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, will not be part of the Paris 2024 Olympics. According to Reuters News, karate was rejected from past Olympic bids because organizers said “the sport lacked entertainment value and the ability to attract a younger audience.” The latter sentiment is hard to argue against, as the “kata” division, where athletes execute a series of “fixed defensive and offensive moves against a virtual opponent.”
- Baseball/Softball: These sports, which made a return in Tokyo 2020, will not be included in the Paris 2024 Olympics. This is the case because the Summer Olympics take place during the heart of the MLB regular season
New Events Added
- Breaking (Breakdancing): Breaking will make its Olympic debut in Paris 2024. This new sport was chosen to attract a younger audience and add an urban appeal to the Games.
- Skateboarding, Surfing, and Sport Climbing: These sports were introduced in Tokyo 2020 and will continue to be part of the program in Paris 2024. They have been retained due to their popularity and their appeal to younger generations.
These changes demonstrate the dynamic nature of the Olympic Games, constantly evolving to include new sports that reflect current trends and interests while sometimes rotating others out to make room for new additions.
Mikkie Nettles-Pollon, Certified Personal Trainer/Holistic & Sports Nutritionist
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