Olympic Ceremonies of 1896-1936: Features of Origin and Development

This article examines the history of the establishment and formation of the traditions of the Olympic ceremonies. The features of the opening ceremonies of the I-V Olympic Games (1896-1912), VII - XI Olympic Games (1920-1936) are described; the aspects and specifics of the organization, symbols and attributes of the ceremonies, the appearance of the closing ceremonies as a factor in the development of the ceremonial part of the Olympic Games, and others are presented. The aim of the study was to analyze the features of the emergence and development of the Olympic ceremonies in the early days of the Olympic Movement. The research methods were: collection, study and systematization of the source base, analytical methods (generalization, comparison, etc.), inductive and deductive methods. The research was conducted as part of the study of the developmental features of the modern international Sports and Olympic Movement. The results have been included in the relevant sections of the History of Physical Education discipline, in the content of the special course Olympic Education, and others. The history of the formation of the traditions of the Olympic ceremonies in the early days of the Olympic Movement and the holding of the first Olympic Games of our time was chosen as the subject matter of this historical sports study, since during these years the formation and consolidation of the protocol for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games was established. In this regard, the period from 1896 till 1936 is of a particular interest from a historical point of view as the foundation for modern traditions and rules. The article presents facts and innovations as components of the emergence of the unique ceremonial of the international Olympic Movement that has an important social and cultural value; they are: the first hoisted Olympic flag with five interlocking rings, the first oath of athletes participating in the Olympic competitions, the first Olympic Torch Relay, national flags and hymns, the Olympic Hymn, the Parade of Nations, etc. As part of the study, interesting facts of the organization and holding of the protocol and artistic components of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games are given: participants, spectators, guests of honor, IOC presidents, uniforms, musical accompaniment, etc. It seemed important to note that, in the interwar period, numerous factors influenced the international Sports and Olympic Movement: world wars, social and economic development of the countries and regions of the world, the development level of international sports, the foreign policy situation.

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