Every four years, nations across the world become riled up and suddenly develop a huge sense of patriotism. But why? What causes this feeling? Well, it’s the Olympic Games.
A collection of the world’s best athletes and teams to compete in some of the world’s toughest and most grueling sporting events, from super speed swimming to never-ending races.
These events show who’s at the top of their field and proudly allow these winners to parade around with a metallic disk emblazoning their chest.
Here, we’re going to look at 30 facts about this wonderful and downright mind-blowing experience that we all relish and miss during the other 3 years!
(Yes, I know there are 2 games, and they run every 2 years, but nonetheless!)
The early Games were a religious festival from 776 B.C. to 393 A.D., but they were outlawed in 393 A.D. because they were pagan festivals. Baron Pierre de Coubertin started a revival of the games in 1894, which is now known as the modern Olympics.
In 1924, in Chamonix, France, the first winter games were held.
1912 saw the last Olympic gold medals made entirely out of gold.
Spyros Samaras composed the Olympic Hymn, and Kostis Palamas added the words. The hymn was first used at the 1896 Athens Olympic Games, but the IOC only declared it the official anthem in 1957.
The Olympic rings signify the world’s five major regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The colors blue, yellow, black, green, and red are used in every flag worldwide.
The U.S’ James B. Connolly became the first modern Olympic champion in 1896 when he won the hop, step, and jump.
The host city designs the Olympic medals for their games. Each must be at least 60mm in diameter and 3mm thick. The gold medals must be covered in 6g of gold, and silver medals must contain 92.5% silver.
In the opening ceremony, the Greeks lead the athlete procession, which is ended by the host team. All others proceed in alphabetical order, as labeled by the host country’s language.
The IOC gives the privilege of hosting the games to the city, not to the country.
IOC members are diplomats of the IOC to their countries, not the other way around. This makes the IOC an independent entity.
The U.S., or more specifically CBS, first televised the Olympics during the 1960 Rome games.
An olive branch wreath was given to winners of the Ancient Olympics events.
Awarding the gold, silver, and bronze medals started in the 1904 Olympics.
The 1904 St Louis, 1932/1984 LA, and Atlanta 1996 games mean that the US has hosted the Olympics more than any other country.
London is the only city to have hosted the event three times, in 1908, 1948, and 2012.
In 1916, 1940, and 1944, there were no games due to the World Wars.
Following the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, 66 nations boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Every 2 years, the Olympic flame is lit at Greece’s Olympia before going to the host nation, being displayed around the country, and then used at the opening ceremony to light the Olympic Cauldron.
Live pigeons were used in the 1900 Olympic Games archery event.
The original games in 1896 held a race to commemorate a Greek soldier, Pheidippides, who ran 25 miles from Marathon to Athens to let them know of the Athenian’s success against a Persian invasion.
Like Cricket, the 1900 games saw some random events. Croquet was also on the roster with France winning every medal.
The 2016 games saw Rugby on the cards for the first time since 1924.
In 1921, Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern games, used the Latin phrase ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’ (“Swifter, Higher, Stronger”) for the Olympic motto.
In the 1920 games, the Olympic flag was first flown.
In Olympia (Greece), a flame ignited by the sun remained alight until the closing of the Games. Its first appearance in the modern games was in Amsterdam in 1928.
Originally, all wars in the region had to have a ceasefire during the Games, and they were held to honor Zeus.
The Priestess of Demeter was the only married woman allowed to watch the ancient games. Any others who were caught were thrown over a cliff.
In the 1896 games, Soccer was to be played but there were no teams to play the event.
Cricket was last in the Olympic Games in 1900. Only two countries entered, Britain and France, who took gold and silver, respectively.
The London games in 1908 saw the first opening ceremony.
The Olympic Games bring together the world’s best athletes for a celebration of sportsmanship and international unity.
Having started in ancient Greece and revived in 1894, the Olympics now include events in both winter and summer. Traditions like the Olympic rings and the lighting of the flame are iconic symbols of athletic excellence and global connection.
The diverse sports and memorable moments make the Olympics a special time, filling us with pride and a sense of unity as we cheer for our nations and celebrate together.
