The Olympics, as its Olympic Charter defines, is a period of four consistent years. Olympic Games – the convocation of athletes in the leap year of each Olympiad for a significant sport holiday.
The first Olympiad of the modern era began the countdown in 1896.
Then the Olympic Games were held in Athens.
Further in the charter it is written: “The Olympic Games unite the Olympic athletes of all countries in honest and equal competitions. The International Olympic Committee provides the most wide audience for these games. ”
The Olympics receives a number in cases where the games were not held. So, in 1916, 1940 and 1944, the games did not take place, but retained their numbers. The 1920 Olympic Games had number VII, although the previous ones, held in 1912, – the number V. Games 1948 went down in history under XIV, although the previous ones, held in 1936, had number XI.
This rule does not apply to winter games. It is written about them in the charter: “Winter Olympic Games make up a separate cycle, which includes competitions in winter sports.”
The first Winter Olympic Games were held in 1924 during the VII Olympics. They conduct their numbering from this date in the order of their implementation.
That is why the 1948 winter games had number V, although the previous ones, IV, took place 12 years before them. In 1986, the IOC decided to hold the winter games not in the leap year, as it was until now, but in the even years between the leaps -to -leaf. XVI Winter games will be held in 1992, but the following, XVII, will be held in 1994 and XVIII – in 1998.
The basic rules of games are strictly determined by the Olympic charter.
It has been established that games can be held within 16 days. The terms of their holding are established by the organizing committee conducting the games, depending on the climatic conditions of the country. The most favorable time is selected. A year before the Games, the IOC sends an invitation to participate in the entire national Olympic committees.
For eight months, the NOC send their preliminary applications confirming the participation of athletes of their countries in the upcoming games. For at least eight weeks, the list of sports and the list of disciplines all participating countries send to the organizing committee, and not later than ten days before the start of competitions, for each species, the names of the participants are presented, after which no changes are allowed.
The Olympic Charter indicates that games are a great holiday of the youth of the world; It is necessary to emphasize the social, educational, aesthetic and moral aspects of this holiday. The city where games are held must provide conditions not only for sports achievements, but also for the growth of spiritual values. Games should be organized at a high level and take place regardless of any other international or national events. During the games, as well as during the week before they began and a week later, no other international sports forums are allowed in the Olympic city.
Since 1894, after the revival of the Olympic Games of our time, 21 years old (3 did not take place) and 15 winter games have passed. The Soviet Union first took part in the XV Olympic Games of 1952. Soviet athletes during this time participated in 9 summer and 9 winter games.
The Olympic Charter determines that the Olympics is a four -year period of time and the Olympic Games are held in the first year of the next Olympiad. Thus, the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich were the games of the XX Olympiad. That is why the failed games of 1916, 1940 and 1944 retain numbers. After all, these numbers, in fact, belong not to games, but to the Olympics, that is, four years of periods.
Winter Olympic Games have independent numbers.
It was established that the summer Olympic games should be held for no more than 15 days, and winter games – no more than 10 days.
At the Olympic Games there is no main judicial board. All issues related to conducting competitions in sports are resolved by judges of this sport and international federations. The decision of the federation is final.