The beginning of the Olympic Torch Journey

Well today was the beginning or passing of the torch of the Winter Olympic games that are being held in Vancouver (whistler).

It started early this morning in Victoria..traveled to Sydney, into Esquimalt...all around Victoria.
It was kind of a gloomy day to start...but brighten up some...had some rain...then started to downpour in the evening when I started to come home. It was warm all day though...kind of that wet, muggy warm...but nice all the same...beats the white stuff and cold :(
I had to work today at noon...and I knew the traffic was going to be crazy...I did not know what kind of photos I was going to get because I started out at around 1030am...so camera in hand...and a bit of hope in me heart I drove into town...
I work close to the parliament buildings where all the stuff was happening...and I got to see the torch being passed...yippeee I was quite excited really.
There was tons of people. ..me not being the tallest person around...just pointed and shot my camera...and got some pretty great shots (I think).
Lots of people, street vendors, music,  I missed out on much because I had to work...but ran outside when I could to get some photos :)
So all in all...was a great start.
The flame started here...and will travel across Canada...and then back to Vancouver at the start of the games.
I do not plan on going to any of the games...but hey you never know.....it's still a few months away and the torch has quite the journey still.....

So please enjoy the beginning.......

A BIT OF HISTORY AND SOME FUN FACTS

According to legend, the ancient Olympic Games were founded by Heracles (the roman Hercules), a son of Zeus.  But...the first Olympic games that we have written record on were held 776 BCE...though it is believed it started much sooner than that:)
At this Olympic Game, a naked runner named Coroebus (who was a cook), won the sole event called the stade.   It is a run of 192 meters (210 yards)....who became the first Olympic champion in history.

The games grew and continued to be played every four years for nearly 1200 years.  In 393 CE, the roman emperor Theodosius I (a christian), abolished the games because of their pagan influences.  (go figure).

About 1500 years later...(wow long time), a young Frenchman by the name of Pierre de Coubertin began their revival.  Pierre is now know as le Renovateur.  Coubertin was born on January 1, 1862.  Coubertin's attempts to get France interested in sports was not met with much enthusiasm.  but he persisted.  In 1890, he organized a sports organization, Union des Societes Franciases de Sports Athletiques (USFSA). 
Two years later he spoke in Paris on November 25th, 1892 stating.
Let us export our oarsmen, our runners, our fencers into other lands..... ........
His speech did not inspire action...but two years later.....he organized a meeting with 79 delegates who represented nine countries.
It was during this time...that he finally aroused interest...
The delegates voted unanimously for the Olympic games...
This committee became the IOC..or International Olympic Committee...and Demeterious Vikelas from Greece was selected to be its first president.  Athens was chosen as the location for the revival of the games...
Let the games begin...

The official Olympic flag was created by Pierre de Coubertin in 1914 which contain the five interconnected rings on a white background.
The five rings interconnected symbolize the friendship to be gained from these competitions.
the colors blue, yellow, black, green and red were chosen because at least one of the colors appeared on the flag of every country in the world.

The Olympic motto was created in 1921 by Pierre de Coubertin..a Latin phrase meaning Swifter, Higher, Stronger.

The Olympic creed again by Pierre reads.  "The most important thing is not to win but to take part, just as the important thing in life in not the triumph but the struggle.  the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well".

The Olympic flame is a practice continued from the ancient games. In Olympia (Greece), a flame was ignited by the sun and then kept burning until the closing of the games.  The flame itself represents purity and the endeavor for perfection.

The Olympic hymn was composed by Spyros and the words added by Kostis Palamas.   This is played when the flag is raised.

The first modern champion was James B. Connolly (US), winner of the hop, step, and jump.

The first marathon was in 490 BCE by a Greek soldier who ran from Marathon to Athens (about 25 miles) to inform the Athenians the outcome of the battle with invading Persians (gesh no horse).

So there you go...a little history...some facts...so................

LET THE GAMES BEGIN