Activity: Students will learn about the Olympic torch, the Olympic rings and the Olympic medals, and design the back of an Olympic medal.

1. On May 10, 2000, an official Olympic torch was lit in Olympia, Greece, and was transported on a 100-day journey on its way to the Olympic Stadium in Sydney. (Why was the torch lit in Olympia?) Using the site listed below, find and discuss the significance of the torch.

2. Five interlocking, colored rings have come to represent the Olympic Games. Learn about this from the site below. What do the five rings symbolize? Why were the colors — red, blue, green, black, yellow — chosen? What might have been some other good ideas for Olympic symbols?

4. Athletes who place first, second and third in their events are awarded with gold, silver, and bronze medals. Using the site listed below, find out: what is on the front side of these medals? What is on the back?

5. As your students will have learned, local Olympic organizing committees have, since 1972, had the responsibility of designing the back of the medals. Individually or in their small groups, have your students cut medal-shaped circles from construction paper, and create their own design for the back of a medal. Allow them to discuss what inspired their designs.

Sites

Torch, Rings, and Medals:
http://www.aafla.org/6oic/primer_frmst.htm