Legends in Motion: The Unforgettable Journey of the Olympics

 History of Olypmics

Olympics is not an unfamiliar term among children. But they might not know the significance of the Olympic Games and the reason for their popularity. The Olympics present the mesmerising world of sports and the extreme talents of athletes.

The Olympic Games have their origin in ancient Greece, and now, it is the most prominent sports competition that is held every four years. Since 1994, they have alternated between the Summer and Winter Olympics every two years during the four-year Olympiad. Their creation was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games, held in Olympia, Greece from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD.. Many athletes from different countries of the world compete in different events to showcase their abilities. The winners are given the Olympic gold medal, which is a symbol of great pride for every nation. Through the essay on Olympic Games in English, we will learn about the Olympic rings and Olympic torch, which captures the true essence of the Olympic Games.

Olympic Games were held for the first time in Athens in Greece in 1896. It was initiated to bring out the athletic talents of people as well as to promote world peace and show that unity is strength by bringing together athletes from different countries. This event includes both individual and team sports and is conducted once every four years at different locations. The summer and winter Olympics happen alternately every two years. 

The Olympic flag has a logo of 5 interconnected rings of colours blue, yellow, black, green, and red. The colours of the ring were chosen so because every country had at least one of these colours on their flag. The 5 rings denote 5 major continents of the world, and their interconnectedness shows that the world can work together in the mission to bring peace through this international sports competition.

 The Olympic torch/flame is lit a few months before the start of the Olympic Games in Greece, and this flame is carried to the host city through a torch relay. The carrying of the flame by people spreads the message of friendship and peace. The Games begin with the final runner lighting the cauldron with the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony.

The Olympic Spirit

The Olympic Games are more than just a sports competition; they are a symbol of international unity and peace. The Olympic motto, "Citius, Altius, Fortius"(Faster, Higher, Stronger), embodies the spirit of the games and inspires athletes to push the limit.of human achievement. The Olympics bring people together, regardless of their race, religion, or nationality, and showcase the best that humanity has to offer.

Olympic Games

 We will see how athletes participate in the games and are honoured with medals when they win. Many sports and games like athletics, basketball, archery, gymnastics, swimming, figure skating, fencing, football, skateboarding, tennis, wrestling, weightlifting etc., are conducted during the Olympic Games. The athletes and players must initially clear a qualifying round by showing their skills and hard work  before participating in the Olympic Games.

People watch the Games on television and see how the representatives of each nation are performing. The winners receive the gold, silver and bronze medals depending on their positions in their respective games. Besides, the national anthem of that particular country will be played when they are given the medals.

Real-Life Stories of Olympic Inspiration

One of the most inspiring stories in Olympic history is f Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals in track and field at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Owens defied Adolf Hitler's belief in Aryan supremacy by winning gold in front of a stunned German crowd, and his performance remains one of the defining moments of the 20th century.

Another inspiring story is that of gymnast Simone Biles, who won five medals, including four golds,  at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Biles, who overcame childhood abuse and neglect to become one of the greatest gymnasts of all time inspires us with her strength, determination, and grace.

The Olympic spirit can also be seen in the story of runner Derek Redmond, who was competing in the 400-metre race at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics when he pulled his hamstring. Instead of quitting,Redmond refused to give up and with the help of his father, he hobbled to the finish line, to the  cheers of the crowd. This moment of perseverance and courage remains one of the most memorable moments in Olympic history.

Pakistan in Olympic

The Pakistan Olympic Association was created in 1948, while the Pakistan Sports Board was established in 1962.

Before independence (pre-1947)

In the Olympic Games up until 1936, athletes from modern-day Pakistan participated as part of the team from British India. Several gold medalists for India in field hockey were born in what became Pakistan, including Muhammad Aslam (1932), Lal Shah Bokhari (1932), Sayed Jaffar (1932 and 1936), Ali Dara (1936) and Peter Paul Fernandes (1936). Bokhari was also selected as India's flagbearer in the 1932 opening ceremony. All of these men opted to play for Pakistan post independence in 1947. Others made the switch after the 1948 Olympics, such as Latif-ur Rehman and Akhtar Hussain.

Early Years (1948 – 1952)

Pakistan first participated in the 1948 Summer Olympics and sent a contingent of 39 athletes that took part across seven different sports. The stand out performers were the men's hockey team who topped their group by beating Belgium, Denmark, France and Netherlands but lost their semi-final match to Great Britain 0–2. Pakistan then faced the Netherlands during the bronze medal match. Initially Pakistan drew with the Netherlands 1–1, but during the replay lost 1–4 and had to settle for a 4th placed finish.

During the 1952 Summer Olympics, there was much of the same result, with the hockey team reaching the semis where they lost to Netherlands 0–1 and then went on to lose the bronze medal match to Great Britain 1–2. Yet again finishing at the 4th place. Other highlights during the games included the Men's 4 x 100 metres relay team which also reached the semi-finals.

Pakistani athletes have won a total of 11 medals, all in the Summer Olympics, including 4 gold medals. Pakistan's men's field hockey team won eight medals in the nine games it participated in between 1956 and 1992. This included a run of 5 consecutive finals between 1956 and 1972, where the Hockey team won 2 gold and 3 silver medals in quick succession.

Arshad Nadeem, gold medal - Paris 2024

Arshad Nadeem is the only Pakistani athlete to have won an individual Olympic gold medal and create an OlympIc record.

Arshad Nadeem created history at Paris 2024 when he became Pakistan's first individual Olympic champion with a gold medal in the men's javelin throw event. And he did in style. Up against a stacked field that included defending champion Neeraj Chopra of India, Arshad Nadeem smashed the Olympic record with a throw of 92.97m. His effort was a whopping 3.52m best than second-placed Neeraj. His final throw measured 91.79m, stamping his authority on the field. It was also Pakistan's first medal in athletics.

Arshad Nadeem  becoming Pakistan’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medalist and the nation’s first medalist in athletics at the Summer Games. Standing tall at 6 foot 3 inches, Arshad won the javelin throw title in style, setting an Olympic record of 92.97 meters, which also became the new Asian record.

His historic victory at the Paris 2024 Olympics has made him a national hero and a symbol of hope and pride for Pakistan. Future generations will take inspiration from his legacy.