KEY INFORMATION

Recommended age group: 7–18
Time required: 15–45 minutes
Equipment: Olympic and Paralympic History assemblies.

ACTIVITY IDEA

Find out about the origins of the Games, the Olympic Movement and the inspiration behind the Paralympic Games.

Use these discussion points and activities to engage your students in learning about the historical background to the Games.

• Are there any similarities between the ancient Games and the modern Games? Do students think it is appropriate that we retain many of the old traditions such as the Torch Relays?
• What benefits do athletes and spectators gain by taking part in such big international events? Have any of the students been spectators at a big sporting event? What was the atmosphere like?

Extension

Go the extra mile

• Encourage students to create a timeline of key events in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. What changes can they foresee happening in the future?