Four years ago Britain was in the final months to the Olympics/Paralympics games and although it may have been slow for some of us to get into the spirit most of us eventually did with over 2 million visitors in the first three days. In seven months time the Games will be held in a country and city that may be best known for its golden beaches, samba rhythms and beautiful people, but Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro will now be famous around the world for hosting: the 2016 Summer Olympics. Running from the 5th to the 21st August and featuring 28 sports and 42 disciplines, 206 countries and over 10,000 athletes, there’s a dizzying amount going on. To help bring this event to life in your schools again we are bringing our Olympics workshop back.
Our ‘Light the Torch’ Olympic workshop, will take children on a dramatic journey from the first Greek Olympics and Olympians, to the lighting of the modern day torch. Your children will learn about some of the disciplines and have a go at some modern and ancient games. So why not book a workshop for your class.
Below are a few facts you can share with your class about the Brazil 2016 Olympics.
The Mascots
This year, the Olympic mascots are two cute characters called Vinicius (the one on the left) and Tom. Both are named after famous Brazilian Bossa Nova musicians, and have been designed to reflect some of the most striking characteristics of Brazilian wildlife.
Opening Ceremony
The games’ opening ceremony will be held in the Maracaña, Rio’s legendary football stadium, on the 5th August and though the details of the event still remain hush, hush, the official guide promises “a majestic spectacle”. One of the creative brains behind the opening ceremony is famed Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles (City of God), who has promised a taste of the Brazilian carnival, without the huge budget of the London Olympics. Sounds sensible but the Brazilians do like to party, look at their carnival!
A year of Firsts
For the first time in Olympic history, the games are being hosted by a South American city. But that’s not all. This year, athletes from Kosovo and South Sudan will be attending the Rio Olympics to represent their countries for the first time ever. We’ll also see the return of both “Sevens” rugby (which hasn’t graced the games since the 1920s) and golf which will be making an Olympic appearance for the first time in 112 years.
It may not be on our shores and you may not even be the greatest of sports fans but one thing is for sure we won’t be able to ignore it during the buildup. So why not book our ‘Light the Torch’ workshop to inspire your kids to have a fun, healthy summer holiday. Vamos August!
CREW Schools