The Olympic
Games
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The
first Olympic Games of the Modern Era date from 1896 in Athens,
Greece, although the creation of the event dates from approximately
2500 B.C. and has its origins in the sportive festivals in honor
to Zeus. Only in 776 B.C. Ifitos (king of Ilia) made an alliance
with Licurgo (king of Esparta) and Clistenes (king of Pissa)
in the temple of Hera, in the sanctuary of Olympia, which originated
the term Olympic Games. |
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These
games were dedicated to the Olympian gods and continued for nearly
12 centuries, until Emperor Theodosius I banned these "pagan
cults" in 393 A.D.
The
Olympic Games of the Old Era started to decay in 456 B.C., when
the Roman invaded and dominated Greece. The original spirit was
little by little setting aside and the disputes, formerly cordial,
started to be faced as combats. |
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The
last Olympic Game of the Old Era happened in 393 A.C., when the
Emperor Theodosius I prohibited the cult to the gods and canceled
the games.
The
Olympic Games were forgotten for 1500 years. In 1896, thanks
to the efforts of the French Pierre de Coubertin, the first Olympic
Games of the modern Era took place in Athens, Greece.
Since
then, with the exception of the period involving the two World
Wars, the games happened every 4 years. During the 20th century,
the Olympic Games took place in different countries and continents.
In 2004, the Olympic games returned to its country of birth after
108 years.
Information
from UOL Esporte - Olímpiadas 2004.
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During
the Olympic Games 2004 in Athens, Greece, Brazil won 10 medals,
4 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals, being nº 18 in the
rank by gold medals, and nº 21 in the rank by the total
number of medals. The gymnast Daiane dos Santos, who was world
champion gymnast in 2003, was Brazil's favorite for gold medal,
but unfortunately she lost many points for stepping out of the
line during the floor exercises and didn't win medals despite
her beautiful presentation. Her famous series of leaps, body
twists and flips was nicknamed "Dos Santos" in her
honor, by the International Gymnastics Federation during the
World Gynmastics Championship in 2003. |
During
the men's marathon, the final event of the Olympic Games, a spectator
ran onto the course of the run and bundled Brazilian Vanderlei
de Lima into the crowd, stopping him completely with about only
four miles remaining. Spectators and security guards intervened
and Vanderlei, who was leading the race, was able to rejoin but
he looked shaken and was passed soon afterwards by Stefano Baldini
of Italy. Baldini won the race ahead of American Meb Keflezighi.
The
intruder was a 57 year old man named Cornelius Horan, an Irish
and former priest, dressed in a kilt and beret, who also interrupted
the British Formula One Grand Prix in 2003.
Vanderlei
de Lima said the incident may have cost him the gold medal and
Brazilian officials said they would appeal to the Court of Arbitration
for Sport for a review of the results.
BRAZIL'S
MEDALS
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GOLD |
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Sailing
- Laser |
Robert
Scheidt |
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Beach
Volleyball - Men |
Ricardo
& Emanuel |
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Sailing
- Star |
Torben
Grael & Marcelo Ferreira |
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Volleyball
- Men |
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SILVER |
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Football
- Women |
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Equestrian
- Individual Jumping |
Rodrigo
Pessoa - horse Baloubet du Rouet |
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Beach
Volleyball - Women |
Adriana
Behar & Shelda |
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BRONZE |
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Judo
- Men's - 81 kg |
Flávio
Canto |
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Judo
- Men's - 73 kg |
Leandro
Guilheiro |
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Athletics - Men's Marathon |
Vanderlei
Cordeiro de Lima |
Photo
Gallery
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Robert
Scheidt |
Torben
Grael & Marcelo Ferreira |
Ricardo
& Emanuel |
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Rodrigo Pessoa |
Daiane
dos Santos |
Adriana Behar & Shelda |
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Flávio
Canto |
Leandro
Guilheiro |
Vanderlei
Cordeiro de Lima |
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Men
Volleybal Team |
Women
Soccer Team |
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