During the Olympic Games a truce or ekecheiria was observed. Three runners known as spondophoroi were sent from Elis to the various participant cities at each set of games to announce the beginning of the truce. During this period armies were forbidden from entering Olympia, wars were suspended and legal disputes and the use of the death penalty were forbidden. The truce was primarily designed to allow athletes and visitors to travel safely to the games, and was for the most part observed, although Thucydides wrote of a situation where the Spartans were forbidden from attending the games and fined 200,000 drachmas for assaulting the city of Lepreum during the period of the ekechiria, claiming that the truce had not yet taken hold
- Wikipedia, Olympics
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I have vague memories when the Summer Olympics was held in Seoul, South Korea in 1988. All I can recall is that it was held during the day. When the Summer Olympics was held in Barcelona, Spain, San Miguel Campo Carne was the main sponsor of the media coverage here in Manila. I also remember a flamenco dancer performing during the opening ceremony. I haven't seen the games when it was held in Atlanta in 1996. All I know is that it was heavily commercialized and many consider it a flop in Modern Olympic history. I shouted and jumped in front of the TV when the Koreans showed up with a unified flag in Sydney four years later. Thanks to YouTube, I was able to watch the opening ceremony held in Athens four years ago only this evening.
The Olympics is known for its excessive pageantry that showcases the nation who will host the event. It is a source of heavy economic burden for those who decide to undertake its hosting. I once asked my mother if we could one day hold the Olympics here. She only said "not in our lifetime." Now that I am old, I understand what she meant then. Despite these consequences, the Olympics is still an enduring symbol of a dynamic world held together by interlacing five rings that represents unity and diversity. Throughout the years, the Olympics is used for political statements (when countries boycott the games) and it paves the way for social upheavals to happen, such when the host nation showcases its economic supremacy to the world or when the host nation caves in to political pressure and changes to a more democratic form of government.
Tomorrow will be the beginning of another Olympiad, and this time, it is China who will be hosting the largest gathering of nations the world has ever seen. The opening ceremony hasn't begun yet, but from what I've seen in the news these past few days, problems have already made this multi-sport event a publicity nightmare for the Chinese government.
Despite the negative feedback from Beijing, I am set to watch the games tomorrow at 8 pm. With the Greeks gaining critical acclaim for having the best opening ceremonies so far, it will be interesting to find out if the Chinese can match an opening performance worth of their emergence in global affairs.
- Wikipedia, Olympics
---
I have vague memories when the Summer Olympics was held in Seoul, South Korea in 1988. All I can recall is that it was held during the day. When the Summer Olympics was held in Barcelona, Spain, San Miguel Campo Carne was the main sponsor of the media coverage here in Manila. I also remember a flamenco dancer performing during the opening ceremony. I haven't seen the games when it was held in Atlanta in 1996. All I know is that it was heavily commercialized and many consider it a flop in Modern Olympic history. I shouted and jumped in front of the TV when the Koreans showed up with a unified flag in Sydney four years later. Thanks to YouTube, I was able to watch the opening ceremony held in Athens four years ago only this evening.
The Olympics is known for its excessive pageantry that showcases the nation who will host the event. It is a source of heavy economic burden for those who decide to undertake its hosting. I once asked my mother if we could one day hold the Olympics here. She only said "not in our lifetime." Now that I am old, I understand what she meant then. Despite these consequences, the Olympics is still an enduring symbol of a dynamic world held together by interlacing five rings that represents unity and diversity. Throughout the years, the Olympics is used for political statements (when countries boycott the games) and it paves the way for social upheavals to happen, such when the host nation showcases its economic supremacy to the world or when the host nation caves in to political pressure and changes to a more democratic form of government.
Tomorrow will be the beginning of another Olympiad, and this time, it is China who will be hosting the largest gathering of nations the world has ever seen. The opening ceremony hasn't begun yet, but from what I've seen in the news these past few days, problems have already made this multi-sport event a publicity nightmare for the Chinese government.
Despite the negative feedback from Beijing, I am set to watch the games tomorrow at 8 pm. With the Greeks gaining critical acclaim for having the best opening ceremonies so far, it will be interesting to find out if the Chinese can match an opening performance worth of their emergence in global affairs.
"Clepydra," 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games opening ceremony. Nagandahan ako sa sounds, costume at saka sa gracefulness ni Eros kaya pinili kong ito ang maging highlight ng aking mga napanood sa YouTube ngayong gabi.
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