Olympic Games & Athletic Disciplines
The Modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896 in Athens, Greece, by French educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin, overseen by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The official Olympic motto is 'Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter' (Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together). Track and field athletics, regulated by World Athletics, features sprint distances (100m, 200m, 400m), middle and long-distance events, hurdles, relays, and field disciplines (high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer throw). A standard international outdoor running track measures 400 meters in circumference across 8 or 9 lanes, with a regulation marathon distance standardized at 42.195 kilometers (26 miles 385 yards).
Key Concepts & Examination Highlights
- The inaugural modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896, revived under the leadership of Baron Pierre de Coubertin.
- The official marathon distance was standardized at 42.195 kilometers (26 miles 385 yards) for the 1908 London Olympic Games.
- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and administers both Summer and Winter Games.