Read the following story on your own and then explore the official International Olympic Committee’s
website at: http://www.olympics.org/ioc. Next, re-read the text with your group utilizing Close Reading
strategies and discuss what you discovered including the author’s purpose.
Olympic History by D. Jackson Maxwell
The Olympics began in Greece in 776 B.C.E. with a single running race. From this humble
beginning, greater events developed. The popularity of the Olympics grew and new competitions were
added. Eventually, athletes throughout the Greek city-states gathered at Olympia every four years to
compete in a variety of sporting events. Spectators cheered their fellow citizens and favorite athletes in feats
of strength, speed, agility, and skill. Some of these included wrestling, jumping, throwing, boxing, and
running. The ancient games came to an end in 393 A.D. when the Christian Roman Emperor Theodosius I
banned the Olympics because he believed they were pagan in nature.
Baron Pierre de Coubertin started the modern Olympics in Greece in 1896. He believed that the
games would foster friendship and peaceful competition between nations. A 100-meter sprint was the first
event. Beginning in 1901, the Nordic Games were held in Sweden every four years. These proved popular
and events such as figure skating were premiered at the 1908 Summer Olympics. However, it was not until
1924 that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) hosted the First Winter Olympics.
The First Olympic Winter Games took place in Chamonix, France featuring 7 sports with 16 events
in which medals were awarded. The Winter Olympics were held every four years except during World War
II. Between 1992 and 1994, the Summer and Winter Olympics were separated where each would alternately
occur every two years.
The Olympics since 1936 have had a torch lighting ceremony where a torch is lit in Olympia, Greece
and carried by relay runners to the destination of the games. The Olympic symbol is five connecting circles
of different colors representing continents that participated in the early games. There have been many
notable moments and athletes in the Winter Olympics. For example, Norway thrilled attendees by sweeping
Reprinted from Maxwell, D. Jackson. (2013). Developing Common Core Instructional Tools: The Winter Olympics. Tennessee
Libraries, 63(4). May be used freely for non-commercial purposes. Contact the author for other uses.
Olympic History
the ski jump in 1932 winning all of the medals. Dick Button in 1948 became the first Olympic figure skater
to complete a double Axel and the first American to win a figure skating title. Jean-Claude Killy of France
won three gold medals in the Alpine to become the star of the 1968 Winter Olympics. In 1980, the United
States gold medal win in Ice Hockey is considered one of the greatest sports upsets. A highlight in 1984 was
Jayne Torville and Christopher Dean of Great Britain earning 12 perfect scores in Ice Dancing. What will
the next great Winter Olympic moment be?
The excitement for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia is building. Opening ceremonies are
scheduled for February 7, 2014. Both children and adults are looking forward to seeing athletes compete in
98 events in 15 winter sports. The XXII Olympic Winter Games, as the IOC officially calls them, will end
on February 23, 2014. From their modest Greek beginnings nearly 3000 years ago to their modern reemergence, the Olympics have succeeded in getting different people and nations together for friendly
competition. The 2014 Winter Olympics will once again ignite the international competitive spirit as men
and women strive to earn medals as the best in their fields and to bring glory to their countries.
Reprinted from Maxwell, D. Jackson. (2013). Developing Common Core Instructional Tools: The Winter Olympics. Tennessee
Libraries, 63(4). May be used freely for non-commercial purposes. Contact the author for other uses.
Olympic History
The Game:
Listed below are 10 keywords from the Winter Olympics story. The first letter of each word is
revealed. Discover the rest of the word by using Close Reading strategies with the text and website. After
identifying each word, locate these terms in the word search. As a bonus, there are ten additional terms from
the Olympics article hidden in the word search. Award yourself a point for each word identify and find in
the word search. For ten points, you have achieved a bronze medal. For 20 words about the Winter
Olympics you earn a silver medal. For a gold medal, locate all 20 words plus research and answer each of the
following questions posed about the Winter Olympics.
1.
G_ _ _ _ _
Find this place on a globe and identify continent where it is located? Name 3 other countries that currently
exist on this continent.
2.
T_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
What impact did this ruler have on the Olympic Games?
3.
P_ _ _ _
Research the meaning of this word and write down two antonyms.
4.
O_ _ _ _ _ _
Using an atlas, describe where this place is located and its surrounding topography.
5.
B_ _ _ _ C_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
In your own words, explain the importance of this person in the context of the modern Olympics?
6.
J_ _ _ -C_ _ _ _ _ K_ _ _ _
Write a biographical sketch on this athlete’s accomplishments as they pertain to the Olympics.
7.
T_ _ _ _
Search online and write a brief explanation of the significance of this Olympic symbol.
8.
F_ _ _ _ _ S_ _ _ _ _ _
What do first place winners of this Olympic sport receive when they stand on the podium? How about the
second and third place finishers?
9.
D_ _ _ B_ _ _ _ _
Briefly explain how the answers to questions 8 and 9 are interconnected.
10. W_ _ _ _ _ O_ _ _ _ _ _ _
Using the knowledge you acquired from this activity, analyze what you learned and write a summary
describing your newly acquired knowledge.
Reprinted from Maxwell, D. Jackson. (2013). Developing Common Core Instructional Tools: The Winter Olympics. Tennessee
Libraries, 63(4). May be used freely for non-commercial purposes. Contact the author for other uses.
Olympic History
Winter Olympics Word Search
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Bonus Words:
1._________________; 2._________________; 3._________________; 4._________________;
5._________________; 6._________________; 7._________________; 8._________________;
9._________________; 10._________________
Reprinted from Maxwell, D. Jackson. (2013). Developing Common Core Instructional Tools: The Winter Olympics. Tennessee
Libraries, 63(4). May be used freely for non-commercial purposes. Contact the author for other uses.