olympiques

Olympiques is a French term with multiple uses related to sport and athletic competition. In most contexts, it pertains to the Olympic Games, with the standard French designation being Jeux Olympiques. The word can function as a noun or an adjective and is used in reference to the movement, events, athletes, and teams associated with the Olympics. In everyday language, les Olympiques may refer to the Games themselves or to things tied to Olympic competition.

The term also features prominently in the names of sports clubs and organizations in Francophone regions. Various clubs incorporate Olympique or Olympiques in their official titles, reflecting a tradition of associating themselves with the Olympic ideal or with sport in general.

The word derives from the French form of the Latin Olympius, itself from the Greek Olympios, a root connected to Mount Olympus, the mythic home of the Greek gods. In modern usage, it carries connotations of excellence, competition, and international participation.

Related topics include Jeux Olympiques and Olympisme.