Olympic Fever - The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

LESSON NUMBER 1: PRE-KNOWLEDGE

Divide the class into groups and ask them to draw a mindmap* of everything they know about the Olympic Games.
* a mindmap is a drawing where the main word or concept is put in a circle in the middle of a page; then as students discuss the idea other words are written around the outside linked by lines to the main word.
With a partner, take any one of the lines and develop a poster about that idea or concept.
Present your finished posters to the class and give an oral presentation on your chosen theme.

LESSON NUMBER 2: ANCIENT OLYMPICS

Discuss the origins of the Olympic Games in Greece in 776BC and how it has changed compared to the present.
Divide the class into pairs and allocate a 100 year period to each pair.
Get each pair to research their time period and then draw up a timeline showing all the important events in their section of the history of the Olympic Games
Display their timelines and join them together around the walls of the classroom for a great collage

LESSON NUMBER 3: MODERN OLYMPICS

Who was Baron Pierre de Coubertin and why is he important?
Use the Internet to research the names of the 28 Summer Olympic host cities from 1896, and, the 18 Winter Olypmic host cities from 1924.
On a map of the world mark each of these cities, and add a code to distinguish between winter and summer host cities.
Which continents have hosted the most Summer Olympic games - why do you think this is so?
In small groups predict the possible sites for the Summer Olympics in 2016 and the winter games in 2018. Give reasons for your choice. A representative from the group should then prepare a brief report for the class on why they chose their particular locations.

LESSON NUMBER 4: FAMOUS AUSTRALIAN ATHLETES

Who is Kieren Perkins? Why is he famous in Australia?
Kieren Perkins was not expected to win a gold medal at Atlanta - describe how you think he felt when he did so?
Write a letter to Kieren Perkins explaining why he is important as a successful Australian athlete?
It could be said that Kieren Perkins showed the true meaning of the Olympic Motto. What is the motto? How do you think this relates to Kieren Perkins' success in Atlanta
Describe an incident from your own experience where an individual, group or team has displayed the same determination as Kieren Perkins.

LESSON NUMBER 5: POLITICS IN SPORT

Research why the 1936 Olympic Games and the 1972 Munich Olympic Games left political impressions on those who watched them
As a class discuss what sort of political issues may confront the staging of future Olympic Games
There have been boycotts against the Olympic Games in 1976, 1980 and 1984. With a partner investigate any one of these boycotts, mention the countries that were involved, the reasons for the boycott and the impact of the boycott on the games.
Your presentation could be a written paper, audiovisual display, web site design, or photographic essay.

LESSON NUMBER 6: DRUGS IN SPORT

The desire to win has driven some competitor to take desperate, illegal measures to extend their performance. Find out why the Chinese swim team is a name associated with trying to win at all costs.
In small groups prepare a report which answers the following questions: - how and why did the Chinese swimming team try to improve their performance? - What action did the Olympic committee and other sporting bodies take - What dangers are involved in using banned substances in sport - What system of drug testing is used in Australia - How would you test for drugs at a sporting event as big as the Olympics? - Why are drugs banned for athletes? Do you think this is fair?
Design a pamphlet to promote drug free sport
Role play a situation where a competitor is accused of being drug positive. Devise a list of all the groups and personalities who would be involved in the investigation and write a short script so that they all have a say.