Stories of History: The Olympics

Every two years the world comes together to compete and celebrate the best athletes in the world. Over the years the Olympics and the athletes have made history and have been shaped and changed by history, by looking at the stories of some of the athletes who competed and made history on their own. Because, who doesn’t love a good story? 

In this one time 45 minute class we’ll look at a few of those stories and what they have to teach us about history, the world and ourselves. After sharing the stories we'll spend time discussing them in class. Some of the stories we will look at are: 
-Barron Pierre de Coubertin: The founder of the Olympics
-Dorando Petri: the marathon "winner"
-Sonja Henie: the youngest Olympic Champion
-Jesse Owens and Luz Long: unlikely friends
-Birgir Ruud: the Comeback King
-The Blood in the Water Game: Politics come to the Olympics
-Squaw Valley: Innovative Technology

As we look at different athletes I want each student to be able to see a part of themselves in one or more of them and be inspired through hearing their story.

#academic