Abstract
This paper provides a brief overview of the evolution of the ancient Olympic Games and discusses ways in which they likely differ from the assumptions of modern readers. It specifically states the myths about the ancient Olympics and then contrasts them with the realities according to ancient texts and archaeological evidence. The paper further describes the religious significance of the ancient games, showing their relationship to Zeus and the various religious rites that took place. Additionally, the paper describes the criteria for an athlete to be accepted to the games and his reward for winning. The paper concludes by showing how Christianity contributed to the demise of the Olympics in ancient times.

Outline:
Introduction
Myths and Realities
The Site & Timing of the Games
Olympic Events
Religious Rites
Athletes
Awards & Rewards
Conclusion

From the Paper
'Like any ancient topic it is fair to say that conclusive evidence of any generalization is limited and that independent facts meld together to create a more or less completed picture of how events over time changed and developed. In the case of the ancient Olympics the event took place roughly every four years (on the longest day of the year) for more than 1,000 years. It is for this reason that a complet picture of the whole event is not possible but some suppositions are, and the greatest one being that the games, events, locations and nearly everything else, other than the fact that it was a competition changed over time."

Tags:ancient Greece, athletes, religious rites, Zeus, Olympia

Abstract
This paper traces the history of the Olympic Games from the first record of the games at Olympia in 776 BC. It looks at how the first Olympic Games were not the games of today that represent a worldwide competition between the best athletes of the world. The ancient Olympic Games were dedicated to the Gods and only involved Greek athletes. It also examines the beginnings of the modern Olympic Games from their inception in France in 1900 and how they have over the years endeared political influences, performance enhancing drugs and the bribery of the IOC (International Olympic Committee).

From the Paper
"The ancient Greek Olympics were held every four years from 776 BC for the next 12 centuries. The ancient games lasted until 393 AD. The Romans had won the wars against the Greeks in 146 BC and were now in control of the Olympics. The games lasted until 393 AD, when the Roman Emperor Theodosius I (Rolfe 14) decided to end the games. The Emperor was incensed that the people were worshipping the gods and he wanted them to worship him. The Romans ruined the Olympic stadium and what was left was destroyed by natural events, such as floods and earthquakes. This was the end of the ancient Greek Olympic games. It would be centuries before the games would be reinstated and they would be different from the ancient games, but the influence of the ancient Greeks would forever be evident in the competitions."

Tags:gods, wars, competition, munich, paris

Abstract
This paper explains that that Leni Riefenstahl's film of the 1936 Olympic documentary is propaganda, focusing more on German and German-sympathetic athletes and the ambiance of the Berlin stadium, seen in its new Nazi grandeur; whereas, in the most stunning photography, Ton Ichikawa's film of the 1964 Tokyo Olympiad is a salute of the exertion of the athletes regardless of race, nationality or ethnic background. The author points out that "Tokyo Olympiad 1964" is not a "sports documentary" in the traditional sense of showing races, winners and celebrating crowds but rather a technically and emotionally gripping documentary about the effort of preparation and the Olympic spirit. The paper concludes that, in a sense, this film is just as much a propaganda piece about Japan's new maturity as was Olympia 1936 but in a way that the glorification politics do not interfere with the presentation of the athletics.

From the Paper
"There is no real story line easy to follow, even though this nearly three-hour film opens with buildings being demolished to make way for the Olympic stadiums and arenas, and training areas as well as housing. As we see this, there is a voice-over which gives the other previous Olympic locations and dates. One of the next scenes is the obligatory Olympic documentary one of the torch reaching Japan, and the following thew various runners in the countryside, running to bring the torch to Tokyo and its new Olympic stadium. For Americans, the win of the Native American, Billy Mills, in the 10,000 meter race is a highlight. But, interestingly enough, the camera stays at the finish line until every racer has finished. There is also a somewhat poignant story line about the single athlete from Chad, who shares no common language with any other athlete, and trains alone. When he loses in the semi-final heat, Ahmed Isa is ignored by the crowd, but not Ichikawa. Here is loneliness amid the shouts of tens of thousands."

Tags:propaganda, germany, japan, race, spirit

Abstract
On May 13, 1931, the International Olympic Committee, headed by Count Henri Baillet-Latour of Belgium, awarded the 1936 Summer Olympics to Berlin. This paper examines the political and social situation of Germany at the time, under the leadership of Adolph Hitler. It shows how he used the two weeks that the whole world would be watching, to turn Germany into a showcase and soften his anti-semitic policies.
The paper also discusses the games themselves and the controversies surrounding Hitler's apparent snubbing at the victories of black American athletes.

From the Paper
"Of course, the Games were not without controversy in the several years prior to 1936. As Hitler assumed power and the Nazis formed a one-party dictatorship, there were efforts to remove the Games from Berlin for political reasons. The United States was especially vehement about moving the games. But, the International Olympic Committee, in trying to prove their rationale for awarding the games to Berlin, claimed that the Games would be under the auspices of the German government, and not the Nazi party,. Perhaps some people forgot that in Germany now these two were one and the same thing. Still, the Games were in the hands of the German Olympic Organizing Committee, headed by a Dr. Lewald, its president, and Dr. Diem, its secretary-general. Both were pre-Nazi Germans, and were not in good standing with the Nazi party, but somehow they managed to retain control."

Tags:Nazi, Harold, Abrahams, Olympic, Village

Abstract
The paper discusses the Olympic sponsorship and advertising by companies such as McDonalds, Coke and Budweiser and decries the negative messages that are transmitted to the public through the association of athletes with these unhealthy products. The paper provides evidence of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s commitment to its premier sponsors like McDonalds. The paper strongly believes that the IOC should devise a process to select its sponsors not based on the capital they are willing and able to provide, but on the basis of the worth they have to provide to the Olympic Games.

From the Paper
"In No Logo, Naomi Klein claims that Nike has three guiding principles to branding sports: "Create sport celebrities...destroy the competition...and sell pieces of the brand as if it were the Berlin Wall" (51-66). This describes Nike's cutthroat attitude for sustaining its dominating status in the athletic industry. Supplying its sponsored athletes with the latest equipment, Nike is justified in their efforts to surpass their competition through Olympic sponsorships. However, there are some companies that seem out of place in the athletic world. Sponsors such as McDonalds, Coke, and Budweiser, have all provided evidence for the need of Olympic sponsorship screening because fast food, sugary sodas, and alcohol have no place in athletics."

Tags:athletes, capital, fast-food, sodas, alcohol, advertising

Abstract
In this article the writer looks at the impact and effects that the Olympic Games have had over the years. The writer discusses the various benefits and advantages involved when athletes from different nations participate in such an event. The writer also highlights the positive economic aspects brought about by the Olympics, such as the encouragement of tourism and jobs for the host country.

From the Paper
"The Olympic Games offer an opportunity for people of different nations to meet each other, and to communicate and exchange cultural ideas with each other. Beneficial changes, such as promoting a more positive image to the world, and creating publicity and visibility, are enjoyed by the host city. In this way, tourism to the country may be boosted. In addition, the local economy may be stimulated, and jobs may be created. Finally, infrastructure built for the Games may benefit the local inhabitants for many years to come."

Tags:olympics, lessons, tourism

Abstract
The paper relates that the website "The Real Story of the Ancient Olympic Games" describes how politics, nationalism, commercialism and athletics were related intimately in the ancient Olympic Games and how today's games are surprisingly accurate re-creations of the ancient Olympic Games in relation to climate and circumstances. The author points out that the website "Ancient Olympics Guide" is short on graphics; however, this does not detract in any way from the visual appeal of the site because the lack of graphic fillers allows room for a wealth of scholarly information concerning the ancient and modern Olympic games. The paper relates that the website "The Olympics: The Ancient Olympics" is a very comprehensive website, which provides informational links to the history, origins and events of the ancient Olympics.

From the Paper
"The home page of Tufts University's site "The Ancient Olympics" (http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Olympics/) has five oblong circles centered on the top half of the page that provides links entitled Ancient and Modern Olympic Sports, A Tour of Ancient Olympia, The Context of the Games and the Olympic Spirit, Athletes' Stories and Frequently Asked Questions. In the center of each circle is an ancient Olympic scene. The bottom half of the home page gives a brief description of the Perseus Project, which in 1996, created this exhibit on the ancient Olympics as a tribute to the Centennial Olympic Games. This exhibit allows one to compare ancient and modern Olympic sports, tour the site of Olympia as it looks today, learn about the context of the Games and the Olympic spirit, or read about the Olympic athletes who were famous in ancient times."

Tags:graphics, links, re-creation, tribute, modern

Abstract
This paper examines the origins and history of the Olympic Games. The original purpose and ideals of the creators have changed with time to what exists today. The influence of sponsorship, religion and politics are examined.

Introduction
The Site of the Games
The Olympic Program in Ancient Greece
Influence on Modern Sports
Athletes, Officials, and Spectators in Modern Sports
The Victors and Rewards in Ancient Greece
The Role of Women in Ancient Greece
The Politics in the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece
Politics in Modern Sports
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Researchers assert that, in the 1990s, more athletes and sports personalities than ever before have started to candidly articulate their religious faith in the presence of their adversaries, teammates, admirers, as well as, television cameras. They go down on your knees. They pray. They yell. They revel and position their fingers to the heavens, presenting thanks to the God, who they articulate has given them the bravery and power to contend and succeed in their selected sports. And when their workday is complete and their term is ended, they carry on to spread their religious expressions in the world outside sports, by means of their standing and superstar personality to attract both the juvenile and the old in a similar way into campgrounds, associations, programs, as well as, organizations whose reason is to serve the god."

Tags:history, religion, venue, influence, security, regulations, moral, commercialization

Abstract
This paper examines how, for the organizers and advertisers of the Olympics, the event is much more than a series of sport competitions and how, from the moment the bid is placed to host the Olympics, host nations are vying companies for sponsorship, advertising, broadcasting rights, and merchandising rights. It looks at how the games have become much more than sporting achievements, but an opportune time to increase job opportunities and revenue for a country that prepares well in advance for a chance to host the Olympic games and all the visitors and athletes that will be visiting their shores. It analyzes how the Olympic games can make a positive impact on a country's economy and how, in commercializing the games, the Olympics has turned into another money-making event for struggling economies and money-hungry countries.

From the Paper
"Advertisers, as in the Super Bowl and World Series, are prepared to pay exorbitant prices for ad time during the Opening Ceremonies as well as significant events important to its viewers, i.e. basketball events and other events which feature prominent sport personalities. NBC acquired the rights to provide broadcast coverage of the Olympic Games for an 8 year period starting from 2000 in which they paid $3.6 billion for the rights (McClellan, 2003) and on top of their profits through advertising; the network stands to commercially gain beyond any Super Bowl or World Series."

Tags:opening, ceremony, sponsorship, advertising, broadcasting, merchandising

Abstract
This paper examines whether there should be age limits on professional or Olympic athletes. It also examines age limits on other athletes.

From the Paper
"According to an article published by USA Today available online, at least three Chinese female gymnasts competing in the Summer Olympic Games might well be below the official age of ... As a result of the controversy, the entire gymnastics competition lost a certain amount of credibility. Outside of China, the focus of viewers has been on the birth dates, not the brilliance of the Chinese gymnasts - whatever their true age. The government of China provided passports for its gymnasts, although at least one had previously..."

Tags:sports, age limits, Olympics, cheating, gymnastics, government sponsoring, China, gold medals, rules