Class 9 Physical Education Khel Praveen Unit 3 Olympism Solutions (NCERT 2026–27)

These Class 9 Physical Education Khel Praveen Unit 3 solutions cover Olympism from the new NCF-2023 textbook Khel Praveen (2026–27). Unit 3 brings together three chapters — Olympic Values, The Ancient Olympic Games and The Modern Olympic Games — explaining the philosophy of the Olympic Movement, its history from ancient Olympia to the 1896 revival, and the symbols, creed, motto, oath and anthem that unite athletes and nations.

Class: 9 Subject: Physical Education & Well-being Book: Khel Praveen Unit: 3 – Olympism Chapters: 9 Olympic Values, 10 The Ancient Olympic Games, 11 The Modern Olympic Games Session: 2026–27
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Unit 3 Olympism – Overview

Unit 3 explores the philosophy and values of the Olympic Movement and the role of sport in promoting peace, unity and personal excellence. Olympism is presented as a philosophy of life that combines sport, culture and education to foster harmony and cooperation among individuals and nations. The unit highlights the three core Olympic values — excellence, friendship and respect — along with educational values such as the joy of effort, fair play and the balance of body, mind and willpower. It traces the history of the Games from their ancient origins in Greece (first recorded in 776 BCE) to the modern revival by Pierre de Coubertin in 1896, covering the inclusion of women, the Winter Olympics, Paralympics and Youth Olympics. Symbols like the Olympic flag, five rings, motto, creed, oath and anthem are explained, stressing that participation matters more than winning.

Chapter 9 – Olympic Values

Olympism is a philosophy of life that teaches us to balance our body, mind and willpower. It is not only about sport but about how we live every day, bringing together sport, culture and education to make the world more peaceful and united. The chapter opens with the famous 1936 friendship between sprinter Jesse Owens and German athlete Luz Long, a symbol of mutual respect, friendship and fairness.

Philosophy and Goal of Olympism

Olympism views sport as an enabler of the balanced development of body, mind and character. It promotes physical, mental, social and emotional growth while upholding the dignity of every individual and ensuring equal participation without discrimination. By combining sport with culture and education, it encourages cooperation, harmony and responsible citizenship. The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of human development and peace, with the outcomes of peace, unity and human excellence.

Core Olympic Values

ValueMeaning & example
ExcellenceGiving your best effort and continuously improving, not just winning. Neeraj Chopra (Tokyo 2020 gold) and Michael Phelps (23 gold medals) show that excellence needs sustained hard work and resilience.
FriendshipBuilt on trust, respect and kindness; including others and celebrating success together. The lifelong friendship of Jesse Owens and Luz Long is a lasting lesson in humanity.
RespectValuing yourself, others and the rules — accepting a referee’s decision, shaking hands with opponents, listening to others and caring for the environment.

Olympic Educational Values

Beyond the three core values, the Movement promotes educational values: the joy of effort (finding happiness in giving your best, win or lose), fair play (playing honestly, following the rules, respecting teammates, opponents and officials), and the balance of body, mind and willpower (overall well-being, connected to India’s traditional ideas of Yoga and Pañchakośha). Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist in shooting, practised meditation and mental training as seriously as his shooting, and his calm focus became the key to his success at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Chapter 10 – The Ancient Olympic Games

The Olympic Games began in ancient Greece nearly 2,800 years ago. According to historical and archaeological evidence, the first recorded Games took place in 776 BCE at Olympia, a sacred valley in western Greece. The main purpose was to honour Zeus, the chief Greek god, through physical excellence and fair competition. Winning was seen as a way to achieve arête — excellence of character.

Organisation and Events

The people of Elis organised the Games and acted as judges called the Hellanodikai (‘Judges of the Greeks’), training for ten months beforehand. Only free-born Greek men could compete, and every athlete took an oath before the statue of Zeus, promising to play fairly. The Games were held every four years and lasted five days. The first recorded event was the stadion race (about 192 metres).

EventDescription
Running racesStadion sprint, diaulos (two laps) and dolichos (long-distance race)
Wrestling & boxingTested strength and technique
PankrationA tough event combining wrestling and boxing
PentathlonFive events — running, long jump, discus throw, javelin throw and wrestling
Chariot racingA highlight of the Games, held in the hippodrome

Rewards, Impact and Decline

Victors were crowned with the kotinos, a wreath of wild olive leaves symbolising purity, hard work and peace. There was no money or medals — the real reward was honour and fame. During the Games, the Olympic Truce stopped all wars so athletes and visitors could travel safely. The festival also honoured Zeus, whose great statue by Phidias became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; women competed separately in the Heraean Games. In 393 CE, Roman Emperor Theodosius I banned all pagan festivals, ending the ancient Games. Rediscovered by archaeologists in the 18th–19th centuries, the ideals of Olympia inspired Pierre de Coubertin to revive the Games in 1896.

Chapter 11 – The Modern Olympic Games

French educator Pierre de Coubertin dreamed of using sport to unite nations. In 1894, at a meeting in Paris, he and delegates from twelve countries established the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The first Modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in April 1896, where athletes from 13 countries competed in 43 events; Greek water carrier Spyridon Louis won the marathon and became a national hero.

Growth, India’s Journey and New Additions

The Games grew quickly — Paris (1900) and St. Louis (1904) followed, and women first participated in 1900 in tennis and golf. India’s Olympic journey began in 1900 when Norman Pritchard won two silver medals; India formed its National Olympic Committee in 1927 and won hockey gold at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics under Dhyan Chand, beginning a golden era of eight hockey golds between 1928 and 1980.

AdditionYear startedPurpose
Winter Olympics1924Sports like skiing and ice hockey
Paralympic Games1960A global platform for athletes with disabilities
Youth Olympic Games2010Teach young athletes Olympic values and friendship

Identity of the Olympic Movement

SymbolKey facts
Olympic Creed“The most important thing… is not to win but to take part.” First spoken by Bishop Ethelbert Talbot at the 1908 London Olympics, adopted by Coubertin.
Five RingsBlue, yellow, black, green and red on white — the union of the five continents. Designed by Coubertin in 1913; first appeared on a flag in 1914, introduced at the 1920 Antwerp Games.
Olympic FlagFive rings on a white background (peace, purity, unity). Designed 1913, presented 1914, first used at the 1920 Antwerp Games.
Olympic Motto“Citius, Altius, Fortius — Communiter” = “Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together.” ‘Together’ added by the IOC in 2021.
Olympic OathA promise of fair play first taken in 1920 (Victor Boin); expanded in 2000 to include coaches and judges.
Olympic AnthemComposed by Spyros Samaras with lyrics by Kostas Palamas; first performed in 1896, officially adopted in 1958.

Key Terms

TermMeaning
OlympismA philosophy of life that balances body, mind and willpower, combining sport, culture and education.
Olympic MovementThe universal, continuous action connecting athletes, coaches and nations across continents.
ExcellenceGiving one’s best effort and continuously improving, not just winning.
Fair playPlaying honestly, following the rules and respecting teammates, opponents and officials.
Joy of effortFinding happiness in giving your best, whether you win or lose.
ArêteGreek word meaning excellence of character.
OlympiaThe sacred valley in western Greece where the ancient Games were held.
KotinosThe wreath of wild olive leaves awarded to ancient Olympic victors.
HellanodikaiThe judges of the ancient Games (‘Judges of the Greeks’) from Elis.
StadionThe first recorded ancient event — a short sprint of about 192 metres.
PankrationA tough ancient event combining wrestling and boxing.
Olympic TruceThe ancient practice of stopping all wars so people could travel safely to the Games.
IOCInternational Olympic Committee, founded in 1894 to plan and guide the Games.
Olympic CreedThe message that taking part matters more than winning.
Olympic Motto“Citius, Altius, Fortius — Communiter” (Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together).
Olympic OathA promise of fair play taken by athletes, coaches and judges at the Opening Ceremony.
Heraean GamesA separate ancient event for women held in honour of the goddess Hera.
Paralympic GamesGames started in 1960 for athletes with disabilities.

Textbook Exercise Solutions

Chapter 9 – Olympic Values: Exercises

1. What do the five rings on the Olympic flag symbolise?

ANSWERThe five interlaced rings — blue, yellow, black, green and red on a white background — symbolise the union of the five continents and the coming together of athletes from all over the world at the Olympic Games. The colours were chosen because at least one of them appears on every national flag, expressing the idea of universality and inclusion.

2. What is the current Olympic motto?

ANSWERThe current Olympic motto is “Citius, Altius, Fortius — Communiter,” a Latin phrase meaning “Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together.” The word ‘Together’ was added by the IOC in 2021 to reflect the belief that success in sport and life comes through teamwork, solidarity and shared effort.

3. How can the three core values of the Olympic Movement be achieved by participating in different games and sports?

ANSWERBy taking part in games and sports we can live out the three core values — excellence, friendship and respect. Excellence is achieved by training regularly, setting goals and giving our best effort to keep improving, win or lose. Friendship grows when we play in teams, include others, help opponents in need and celebrate one another’s success, just as Jesse Owens and Luz Long did. Respect is shown by following the rules, accepting the referee’s decisions, shaking hands with rivals and acknowledging their effort. Practising these on the field builds the same values in everyday life.

Chapter 10 – The Ancient Olympic Games: Exercises

1. Name any four events held in the Ancient Olympic Games.

ANSWERAny four of the following ancient events: (i) running races such as the stadion, diaulos and dolichos; (ii) wrestling; (iii) boxing; (iv) pankration; (v) pentathlon (running, long jump, discus throw, javelin throw and wrestling); and (vi) chariot racing.

2. What was the kotinos? What did it symbolise? What does the Greek word arête mean?

ANSWER The kotinos was the wreath made of wild olive leaves, taken from a sacred tree near the temple of Zeus, with which the winners of the ancient Olympic Games were crowned. It symbolised purity, hard work and peace. Victors received no money or medals — the real reward was honour and fame. The Greek word arête means excellence of character — combining skill with moral strength such as courage, fairness and self-control.

3. Why were athletes required to take an oath before competing?

ANSWERBefore the Games began, every athlete took an oath in front of the statue of Zeus, promising to play fairly and respect the rules. The oath showed that honesty and discipline were as important as strength and skill, ensuring that the competition was fair and that all athletes upheld the moral and religious spirit of the Games.

Chapter 11 – The Modern Olympic Games: Exercises

1. What is the Olympic Creed?

ANSWERThe Olympic Creed is a short message that expresses the true meaning of the Games: “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.” It was first spoken by Bishop Ethelbert Talbot during the 1908 London Olympics and later adopted by Pierre de Coubertin. It teaches that victory lies in honest effort and courage, not just in medals or records.

2. What do the five Olympic rings symbolise?

ANSWERThe five interlaced rings represent the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from all over the world. The five colours (blue, yellow, black, green and red on a white background) were chosen because every national flag contains at least one of them, showing the idea of universality and inclusion.

3. What is the meaning of the Olympic motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius–Communiter”?

ANSWER“Citius, Altius, Fortius — Communiter” is a Latin phrase meaning “Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together.” The original three words were proposed by Father Henri Didon and adopted by Coubertin; the word ‘Communiter’ (Together) was added by the IOC in 2021 to express that success comes through teamwork, solidarity and shared effort.

Check Your Progress – Answer in brief

1. If you were an athlete in ancient Greece, how would you prepare for the Games?

ANSWERAs a free-born Greek man, I would train hard for ten months in the gymnasia and palaestrae of my city-state, following a strict diet and daily routine of running, wrestling and other exercises. I would build both body and character, since the Greeks believed in harmony of body and mind. Before competing, I would prove my Greek citizenship and good moral character, and take an oath before the statue of Zeus to play fairly and respect the rules. (Your own reasoning is accepted.)

2. Compare the rewards given to ancient Olympic winners and modern Olympic winners.

ANSWER Ancient winners received no money or medals — only the kotinos, a wreath of wild olive leaves symbolising purity, hard work and peace. The real reward was honour and fame: poets wrote songs, sculptors made statues, and some cities even granted free meals for life. Modern winners receive gold, silver and bronze medals, public recognition and often financial rewards. The shared idea, however, remains the same — victory honours both the athlete and the nation, and effort and fair play matter more than the prize itself.

3. How can the idea of arête be applied in school life today?

ANSWERArête means excellence of character. In school it means giving full effort and honesty in studies, sports and behaviour — always seeking to learn and improve rather than just to win or top a test. A student shows arête by being disciplined, fair, helpful to classmates, respectful to teachers and graceful in both success and failure, combining ability with good values. (Your own example is accepted.)

4. How does the structure of the IOC and National Olympic Committees ensure smooth organisation of the Games?

ANSWERThe International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the main body that plans and guides the Games, chooses the host city every four years, protects the Olympic symbols and upholds the rules of the Olympic Charter. National Olympic Committees (NOCs) manage the Movement within each country, select and send their athletes, and work with International and National Sports Federations and State Olympic Associations. This layered structure clearly divides responsibilities, so that selection, rules, events and ceremonies are coordinated and the Games run smoothly and fairly.

5. If you were designing an Olympic emblem for your country, what elements would you include and why?

ANSWERI would combine the Olympic rings with symbols of my country’s culture and values. For India, I might use the colours of the national flag, a lotus or peacock, and a torch or flame to show energy and aspiration, designed to reflect unity, diversity and the spirit of fair play. Every element would follow the strict IOC design rules and respect the Olympic symbols, while creating pride and identity for athletes and the host nation. (Your own design is accepted.)
This is a creative task — any reasonable, respectful design supported with reasons is correct.

Check Your Progress – Answer the following in detail

1. Compare the Ancient Olympic Games with today’s Olympic Games. Highlight at least three similarities and three differences.

ANSWER Similarities: (i) both are held every four years; (ii) both promote the values of excellence, fair play and respect; (iii) both unite people from different regions and use sport to encourage peace and friendship. Differences: (i) the ancient Games allowed only free-born Greek men, while modern Games include athletes of all nations and genders; (ii) ancient winners received only an olive wreath (kotinos) and honour, while modern winners receive medals and recognition; (iii) the ancient Games honoured the god Zeus and were a religious festival held only at Olympia, whereas the modern Games are a secular global event hosted by a different city each time with many more sports and events.

2. How has the Olympic Movement evolved to promote equality and inclusion (for example, Paralympics, Youth Olympics)?

ANSWERThe Olympic Movement has steadily widened its doors. Women first participated in the 1900 Paris Olympics in tennis and golf, and their inclusion has grown to near equality today. The Winter Olympics (1924) added new sports for different climates and skills. The Paralympic Games (1960) gave athletes with disabilities a global platform to compete with courage and skill. The Youth Olympic Games (2010) encourage young athletes to learn Olympic values and friendship. The Olympic Charter declares sport a human right for all, and the updated oath promises participation “without any form of discrimination.” Together these changes show a movement committed to equality, inclusion and bringing over 200 nations together through sport.

3. Why is participation considered more important than winning according to the Olympic Creed?

ANSWERAccording to the Olympic Creed, “the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part.” Participation is valued more highly because the true purpose of sport is effort, courage and self-improvement, not just medals. By taking part, athletes practise discipline, fair play, friendship and respect, and experience the joy of effort whether they win or lose. The Creed teaches that real victory lies in fighting well — trying one’s honest best — just as in life success lies in the struggle and not only in the triumph. This keeps sport humane, fair and open to everyone.

4. How do Olympic symbols (flag, motto, oath, anthem) strengthen the identity of the Games and promote other characteristics of humanity?

ANSWERThe Olympic symbols give the Games a shared, recognisable identity and carry deep human values. The flag with its five rings on a white background stands for the union of the five continents and for peace, purity and unity. The motto “Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together” inspires constant effort, improvement and teamwork. The oath, taken by athletes, coaches and judges, is a public promise of fair play, equality, inclusion and clean, doping-free sport. The anthem, played as the flag is raised and lowered, expresses peace, friendship and unity. Together these symbols remind everyone that the Games stand for more than competition — they promote solidarity, respect, honesty and global friendship among all people.

Extra Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Define Olympism in one sentence.

ANSWEROlympism is a philosophy of life that balances body, mind and willpower by combining sport, culture and education to promote peace, unity and human excellence.

Q2. In which year and city were the first Modern Olympic Games held, and who won the marathon?

ANSWERThe first Modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896, and the marathon was won by the Greek water carrier Spyridon Louis.

Q3. What was the Olympic Truce in ancient Greece?

ANSWERThe Olympic Truce was the ancient practice of stopping all wars between Greek city-states during the Games, so that athletes and visitors could travel safely to Olympia — showing how sport could bring peace and friendship.

Q4. Who designed the Olympic rings and flag, and in which year?

ANSWERBoth the Olympic rings and the flag were designed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1913; the flag was presented in 1914 and first used at the 1920 Antwerp Games.

Q5. Name the three later additions to the Olympic Movement and the year each began.

ANSWERThe Winter Olympics (1924), the Paralympic Games (1960) and the Youth Olympic Games (2010).

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Explain the three core Olympic values with an example of each.

ANSWERThe three core Olympic values are excellence, friendship and respect. Excellence means giving your best and continuously improving, not just winning — shown by Neeraj Chopra, who won Olympic gold despite injuries through disciplined training. Friendship is built on trust, respect and kindness — shown by Jesse Owens and Luz Long, whose bond at the 1936 Olympics became a lasting lesson in humanity. Respect means valuing yourself, others and the rules — shown when athletes accept a referee’s decision, shake hands with opponents and acknowledge their efforts. Practising these values in sport helps us live better in daily life too.

Q2. Trace the history of the Olympic Games from ancient Olympia to the modern revival.

ANSWERThe Games began in ancient Greece, with the first recorded event in 776 BCE at Olympia to honour Zeus. They were organised by the Hellanodikai of Elis, held every four years for five days, and included running, wrestling, boxing, pankration, pentathlon and chariot racing, with the kotinos as the only prize. After more than a thousand years, Roman Emperor Theodosius I banned the Games in 393 CE, and Olympia lay buried for centuries. Archaeologists rediscovered the site in the 18th–19th centuries, inspiring Pierre de Coubertin, who founded the IOC in 1894 and revived the Modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. Since then the Games have grown to include women, the Winter Olympics, Paralympics and Youth Olympics, uniting over 200 nations.

Q3. Describe India’s journey in the Olympic Movement.

ANSWERIndia’s Olympic journey began in 1900, when Norman Pritchard, representing India, won two silver medals in athletics at the Paris Games. India formed its own National Olympic Committee in 1927 and participated as a team at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, where the men’s hockey team led by Dhyan Chand won gold. This began India’s golden era in hockey, with eight Olympic gold medals between 1928 and 1980. Over the years India expanded into many sports, with athletes like Abhinav Bindra (shooting gold, 2008) and Neeraj Chopra (athletics gold, 2020) reflecting the Olympic values of excellence, perseverance and respect.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. Olympism is best described as:

(a) only a set of sports rules    (b) a philosophy of life balancing body, mind and willpower    (c) a type of medal    (d) a single sporting event

2. The three core Olympic values are:

(a) speed, height, strength    (b) excellence, friendship, respect    (c) gold, silver, bronze    (d) sport, culture, education

3. The first recorded ancient Olympic Games took place in:

(a) 1896 CE    (b) 393 CE    (c) 776 BCE    (d) 1924 CE

4. The ancient Olympic Games were held to honour:

(a) Hera    (b) Zeus    (c) Phidias    (d) Pindar

5. The wreath of wild olive leaves given to ancient victors was called the:

(a) arête    (b) stadion    (c) kotinos    (d) diaulos

6. The Roman Emperor who banned the ancient Games in 393 CE was:

(a) Theodosius I    (b) Pausanias    (c) Herodotus    (d) Spyridon Louis

7. The first Modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 in:

(a) Paris    (b) London    (c) Athens    (d) Antwerp

8. The five Olympic rings symbolise:

(a) five sports    (b) the union of the five continents    (c) five medals    (d) five host cities

9. The Paralympic Games were started in:

(a) 1924    (b) 1960    (c) 2010    (d) 1896

10. Indian hockey gold at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics was won under the leadership of:

(a) Neeraj Chopra    (b) Abhinav Bindra    (c) Norman Pritchard    (d) Dhyan Chand

Answer key: 1-(b), 2-(b), 3-(c), 4-(b), 5-(c), 6-(a), 7-(c), 8-(b), 9-(b), 10-(d).

For each Assertion–Reason question, choose: (A) Both true and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion; (B) Both true but the Reason is not the correct explanation; (C) Assertion true, Reason false; (D) Assertion false, Reason true.

A-R 1. Assertion: The Olympic Creed says that taking part is more important than winning.

Reason: The true purpose of sport is effort, courage and self-improvement, not just medals.

A-R 2. Assertion: Ancient Olympic winners received large sums of money as prizes.

Reason: Victors were crowned only with the kotinos, an olive wreath, and honoured with fame.

A-R 3. Assertion: The word ‘Together’ was added to the Olympic motto in 2021.

Reason: The IOC wished to stress that success comes through teamwork and solidarity.

A-R 4. Assertion: Women competed alongside men in the main ancient Olympic Games.

Reason: Women had their own separate event, the Heraean Games, held in honour of Hera.

A-R 5. Assertion: The Olympic flag’s white background and five rings stand for peace and the union of continents.

Reason: At least one of the ring colours appears on every national flag in the world.

Answer key: 1-(A), 2-(C), 3-(A), 4-(D), 5-(B).

Exam Tips & Common Mistakes

How to score full marks in this unit

Learn the key dates and names precisely: first ancient Games 776 BCE, banned 393 CE by Theodosius I, modern revival 1896 in Athens, IOC founded 1894, rings designed 1913. Memorise the three core values (excellence, friendship, respect) with one example each, and quote the Olympic Creed and motto exactly. For “compare” questions, write similarities and differences in clear, separate points. Use Indian examples — Dhyan Chand, Abhinav Bindra, Neeraj Chopra — to make answers stronger.

Watch out for these

  • Confusing 776 BCE (first ancient Games) with 1896 (modern revival) — keep ancient and modern dates separate.
  • Mixing up the kotinos (olive wreath) with modern medals — ancient winners got honour, not money or medals.
  • Writing the old motto only — the current motto adds ‘Communiter / Together’ (2021).
  • Saying women competed in the main ancient Games — they had the separate Heraean Games.
  • Forgetting that the Creed values participation and effort over winning.
  • Spelling errors in names like Coubertin, Olympia, Theodosius, arête.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Class 9 Physical Education Khel Praveen Unit 3 about?

Unit 3, Olympism, covers three chapters — Olympic Values, The Ancient Olympic Games and The Modern Olympic Games. It explains the philosophy and values of the Olympic Movement, the history of the Games from ancient Olympia (776 BCE) to the 1896 revival, and the symbols, creed, motto, oath and anthem that unite athletes and nations.

What are the three core values of the Olympic Movement?

The three core Olympic values are excellence, friendship and respect. The Movement also promotes educational values such as the joy of effort, fair play and the balance of body, mind and willpower.

Who revived the Modern Olympic Games and when?

The French educator Pierre de Coubertin revived them. He founded the International Olympic Committee in 1894, and the first Modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896.

Note: Exercise and “Check Your Progress” questions are reproduced verbatim from the NCERT Khel Praveen textbook (Unit 3); all answers, notes, MCQs and FAQs are original and prepared by ClearStudy for the 2026–27 session.

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