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The Olympic Oath
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The Oath
"In the name of all the competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams."
Pierre de Coubertin wrote an oath for the athletes to recite at each Olympic Games.
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During the opening ceremonies, one athlete recites the oath on behalf of all the athletes. The athlete is a member of the host team, and proclaims the oath while holding a corner of his national flag.
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The Olympic oath was first taken during the 1920 Olympic Games by Belgian fencer Victor Boin.
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The Olympic Oath as instituted in 1920 was "In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams."
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In 2000, the oath was updated to now be "In the name of all the competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams."
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In 1972, the Olympic Oath was taken by a referee for the first time.
Related Pages
- other Olympic Traditions
