Written by Vartika Chauhan
Edited by Himanshi Shivani
PREVIEW: You might not be aware of this fact but the word 'gymnastics' is derived from the Greek word 'gymnos' that means to train naked because in ancient times the gymnasts used to train and compete by being nude. One needs to be clear that this sport not only requires bodily strength of arms, legs, shoulders, abdominal muscles, etc., but mental strength too in terms of precision, alertness, discipline, and confidence. Only the ones who are keen on pursuing it tends to continue in this field of sport.
(Check out our previous post on Gymnastics - Contribution of Olympic Games toward Sports: https://samagrafoundation.blogspot.com/2020/09/gymnastics-contribution-of-olympic.html)
Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will, and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of a good example, and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
The Olympics not only builds a healthy human physically but also helps in overall growth. It creates a spirit of teamwork and adds value to living. It helps to build a society where equitable development is possible.
One such famous sport that had emerged in the Olympics is weightlifting. This sport is controlled by the international weightlifting federation, founded in 1905. IWF men category contains 109+kgs of classifications and for IMF women it is 87+kgs.
The popularity it had gained was not easy. At the beginning of the century, Austria, Germany, and France were the most successful nations. However, in the 1950s, the Soviet Union’s weightlifters rose to prominence and stayed there until the 1990s when China, Turkey, Greece, and Iran catapulted to the lead. In the women’s field, China has been dominant since the very beginning.
GREAT CHAMPIONS
Turkey’s and Halil Mutlu have each won three gold medals, like Greece’s Pyrros Dimas and Kakhi Kakhiasvilis. Hungarian weightlifter Imre Földi and Germany’s Ronnie Weller and Ingo Steinhöfel hold a special record: they participated in the Olympic Games five times.
In women’s weightlifting, China’s Chen Yanqing and Liu Chunhong have both won two gold medals.
Weightlifting has been present at 23 editions of the Games and has placed on the podium champions from 32 different National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
In comparison with other strength sports, which test limit strength (with or without lifting aids), weightlifting tests aspects of human ballistic limits (explosive strength); the lifts are therefore executed faster—and with more mobility and a greater range of motion during their execution—than other strength movements.
This sport had made many hidden talents to come forward especially from backward regions. Many contributions are still to be made, but the position it had acquired lately is remarkable.
Don't forget to check out our upcoming post, Football - Contribution of Olympic Games toward Sports.
Excerpt:
Football is one of the most popular sports all over the world. It is a very thrilling and challenging game that is usually played by two teams for the enjoyment and entertainment of the youth. Originally, it was played by villagers (called rugby in Italy). It is a cheap game played in almost all countries with great interest. Players who practice it regularly benefit in many ways. It is good for both physical and mental health.
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