The Olympic Games are a major international event of summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes compete in a wide variety of events. The Games are currently held every two years, with Summer and Winter Olympic Games alternating. Originally, the ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 5th century AD. In the late 19th century, Baron Pierre de Coubertin was inspired by Olympic festivals to revive the Games. For this purpose, he founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894, and two years later, the modern Olympic Games were established in Athens. The IOC has since become the governing body of the Olympic Movement, whose structure and actions are defined by the Olympic Charter.
The evolution of the Olympic Movement during the 20th century forced the IOC to adapt the Games to the world's changing social circumstances. Some of these adjustments included the creation of the Winter Games for ice and snow sports, the Paralympic Games for athletes with physical disabilities, and the Youth Olympic Games for teenage athletes. The IOC also had to accommodate the Games to the varying economical, political, and technological realities of the 20th century. As a result, the Olympics shifted away from pure amateurism, as envisioned by Coubertin, to allow participation of professional athletes. The growing importance of the mass media created the issue of corporate sponsorship and commercialization of the Games.
The Olympic Movement currently comprises international sports federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and organizing committees for each specific Olympic Games. As the decision-making body, the IOC is responsible for choosing the host city for each Olympic Games. The host city is responsible for organizing and funding a celebration of the Games consistent with the Olympic Charter. The Olympic program, consisting of the sports to be contested at each Olympic Games, is also determined by the IOC. The celebration of the Games encompasses many rituals and symbols, such as the Olympic flag and torch, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. There are over 13,000 athletes that compete at the Summer and Winter Olympics in 33 different sports and nearly 400 events. The first, second, and third place finishers in each event receive gold, silver or bronze Olympic medals, respectively.
The Games have grown in scale to the point that nearly every nation is represented. Such growth has created numerous challenges, including boycotts, doping, bribery of officials, and terrorism. Every two years, the Olympics and its media exposure provide unknown athletes with the chance to attain national, and in particular cases, international fame. The Games also constitute a major opportunity for the host city and country to promote and showcase themselves to the world.
See the fire in the sky
We feel the beating of our hearts together
This is our time to rise above
We know the chance is here to live forever
For all time
(Chorus)
Hand in hand we stand
All across the land
We can make this world a better place in which to live
Hand in hand we stand
Start to understand
Breaking down the walls that come between us for all time
Ari Rang
Every time we desire
We feel the flames eternally inside us
Lift our hands up to the sky
The morning calm helps us to live in harmony
For all time
(Chorus)
Hand in hand we stand
All across the land
We can make this world a better place in which to live
Hand in hand we stand
Start to understand
Breaking down the walls that come between us for all time
Ari Rang
(Coda/Ending)
Breaking down the walls between us
Breaking down the walls
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Unity: Official Athens 2004 Olympic Games Album Lyrics
Yiannis Kotsiras - Pass the Flame
(ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay Song)
Music/Producer:Trevor Horn
Lyrics:Lina Nikolakopoulou
Pass the Flame
Unite the World
It's time to celebrate let our voices be heard
Pass the Flame
Unite the world
Bring us all together
We can grow a forest
On a dried up river bed
We can build a mountain
From a grain sand
Reach out, hold out your hands(x2)
Pass the Flame
Unite the World
It's time to celebrate let our voices be heard
Pass the Flame
Unite the world
Bring us all together
Pass the Flame
Unite the World (x5)
Reach out, hold out your hands
Reach out, hold out your hands
Pass the Flame
Unite the world
Pass the Flame
Unite the World (x5)