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Olympics
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The Olympics are one of the largest media events. In Sydney in 2000 there were over 16,000 broadcasters and journalists, and an estimated 3.8 billion viewers watched the games on television. The growth of the Olympics is one of the largest problems the Olympics face today. Although allowing professional athletes and attracting sponsorships from major international companies solved financial problems in the 1980s, the large number of athletes, media and spectators makes it difficult and expensive for host cities to organize the Olympics. For example the 2012 Olympics, which will be held in London, is based on an updated budget of over £9bn which is one of the biggest budgets for an Olympics to date. Even if sponserships do lighten the load in terms of the debt that these countries make, one of the biggest problems faced is how will their economies cope with the extra financial burdens put on them.
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The modern Olympics is the brainchild of Baron Pierre de Coubertin of France. He organised the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece in 1896. A total of 245 athletes from 14 nations competed.
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"With the help of these people and organizations, Special Olympics Minnesota is able to bring communities together," said David Dorn, Special Olympics Minnesota president. "These awards are our small way of recognizing their important contributions to the success of our programs."
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"The Junior Blind Olympics provides an inspirational opportunity for blind and visually impaired children to challenge their abilities, surmount sight barriers and achieve their dreams," explained Junior Blind of America's Jay Allen, Executive Vice President and COO. "The activities challenge them to develop critical life skills, build self-esteem and independence, and redefine who they are and what they are capable of achieving." Dee Gadbury, President of the Optimists Blind Youth Association, echoes this excitement, adding, "We look forward to a day of having fun, making friends, and celebrating the spirit of achievement."
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Next, the Olympic Flag is carried horizontally (since the 1960 Summer Olympics) into the stadium and hoisted as the Olympic Anthem is played. The flag bearers of all countries circle a rostrum, where one athlete (since the 1920 Summer Olympics) and one judge (since the 1972 Summer Olympics) speak the Olympic Oath, declaring they will compete and judge according to the rules.[38] Finally, the Torch is brought into the stadium, passed from athlete to athlete, until it reaches the last carrier of the Torch, often a well-known athlete from the host nation, who lights the fire in the stadium's cauldron.[38] The Olympic Flame has been lit since the 1928 Summer Olympics, but the torch relay did not start until the 1936 Summer Olympics. Beginning at the post-World War I 1920 Summer Olympics, the lighting of the Olympic Flame was for 68 years followed by the release of doves, symbolizing peace.[38] This gesture was discontinued after several doves were burned alive in the Olympic Flame during the opening ceremony of the 1988 Summer Olympics.[39] However, some Opening Ceremonies have continued to include doves in other forms; for example, the 2002 Winter Olympics featured skaters holding kite-like cloth dove puppets.
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A great site to teach children about the 2002 Olympics, as it provides easy-to-understand information on the sports, venues, and countries. Teachers and parents will find curriculum, programs, and other school’s who are participating.
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