Plaque Wording:
[top left] Nike (pronounced Neekay)
Ancient Greek goddess of victory.
Spirit of the Games sculptor, Pavlos Angelos Kougioumtzis.
[top right] A gift from the people of ancient Olympia to the people of London. To commemorate the hosting of the XXXth Olympiad, London 2012.
[bottom left] Ancient Olympia is the site of the original games and remains the source of the sacred Olympic flame. It is lit by Apollo, god of the Sun, at the request of the high priestess and is used to ignite the Olympic torch as it begins its route to the host city.
[bottom right] The Ancient Games The ancient Olympic Games began in 776 BC in honour of Zeus. Nike the goddess of victory and a sentinel of Zeus, was believed to have been sent to earth to crown the victors in the games. The Olympics were staged every four years at Olympia and were taken very seriously - wars would be halted to allow the games to take place. People from all over the Greek world came to watch and take part. The ancient games were the inspiration for the modern Olympic Games which began in 1896.
[top right] A gift from the people of ancient Olympia to the people of London. To commemorate the hosting of the XXXth Olympiad, London 2012.
[bottom left] Ancient Olympia is the site of the original games and remains the source of the sacred Olympic flame. It is lit by Apollo, god of the Sun, at the request of the high priestess and is used to ignite the Olympic torch as it begins its route to the host city.
[bottom right] The Ancient Games The ancient Olympic Games began in 776 BC in honour of Zeus. Nike the goddess of victory and a sentinel of Zeus, was believed to have been sent to earth to crown the victors in the games. The Olympics were staged every four years at Olympia and were taken very seriously - wars would be halted to allow the games to take place. People from all over the Greek world came to watch and take part. The ancient games were the inspiration for the modern Olympic Games which began in 1896.