Arbeitsblatt: The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay is truly global event. It calls for all cultures and peoples to celebrate sport and unity. The founder of the modern Olympic Games was Pierre de Coubertin, passionate sportsman from France. He once said that he hoped the Olympic Flame would be carried on through the centuries. For him, it was sign of unity and hope. He was talking about the light that each athlete carries inside. In 1936, Olympic officials decided to make the torch relay real symbol of this inner light. The Torch Relay was born. The Oslo 1952 Olympic Winter Games held the first winter Olympic Torch Relay. It has been part of each Olympic Games since then. The roots of the torch relay go back to ancient times. Long before the age of cell phones and the Internet, news was carried on foot. If tribe or people wanted to summon their allies for war or celebration, they sent message runner. There is famous Greek story about the messenger Philippides. Philippides ran all the way from the town of Marathon to the city of Athens. He wanted to spread the news of huge victory in battle. But he was exhausted after running the hilly route in the blazing sun. He delivered his message. But then he fell down dead! That event is honoured in the Olympic marathon. The sport is named for the town where he began his trek. In ancient Greece, messengers were sent to all cities to announce the Olympic Games. They invited competitors and citizens to come to Olympia. And they proclaimed sacred truce. Cities at war had to stop fighting during the Games. That way, people could travel safely to Olympia. The flame that lights the Olympic Cauldron in 2010 comes from Olympia. There, women acting as priestesses used curved mirror to light the flame with the suns rays. The first runner took the flame from the ancient ruins to the city of Athens. Greek runners passed the flame on to runner from the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. For Canadas third Olympic Games, in Vancouver in 2010, what will happen? Who will The Olympic Flame then flew to Canada. special security lamp kept the flame lit. That way the passengers were safe during the flight. The Olympic Flame arrived in Canada 100 days before the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The trip began in Victoria. Then the flame travelled nationwide, as far north as Alert and as far east as Cape Spear. The last stop will be in Vancouver. More than 12,000 people carried the Olympic Flame. It travelled by foot, wheelchair, float plane and bike. It even rode in canoe and on horse! Like the ancient Greek messengers, the torch relay is spreading the news that the Olympic Games are coming. The flame represents peace, friendship and unity. The last moment of the Olympic Torch Relay is one of the most dramatic and emotional moments of any Olympic Games. Its the moment the final torchbearer lights the Olympic Cauldron – and the Games begin. light Words Torch Relay peoples unity founder to carry on since Waffenstillstand roots ancient to summon Allies to spread exhausted hilly blazing Fackellauf Völker Einheit Gründer weiterführen seit honoured to announce competitor citizen to proclaim sacred truce gee ank We Staa verk heil Wurzeln ehemalig, antik herbeirufen, aufbieten Alliierte, Verbündete verbreiten erschöpft hügelig prall cauldron priestesses curved lit torchbearer to be charged to bet Kes Prie geb bele Fac ang wet The lighting of the Olympic Cauldron is part sport and part theatre. Its charged with symbolism and meaning. The identity of the final torchbearer is often closely guarded secret, as the choice can set the tone for the entire Games. the Olympic Cauldron? Its secret, but you can bet it will be well worth the wait.