THE OLYMPIC GAMESFASTER, HIGHER, STRONGER

Ever wondered what the five rings on the Olympic flag symbolize?

How have the modern games changed over time?

Find out the answers to these questions and more about the Olympics.

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The first Olympic Games in 1896 had nine sport competitions. Since then many sports have been added (and removed) from the program.

1896

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The first modern Olympic Games in 1896 included a marathon, which was designed specifically to pay homage to Ancient Greece.

MARATHON

Cycling

Fencing

Gymnastics

Five sports that have been partof every summer Olympic Games

Track and Field

Swimming

BROADCASTINGThe first Olympic Games to be televised were the Berlin Olympics in 1936.

The Olympic Games weren't televised worldwide until the Rome Olympics in 1960.

TOP FIVE MOSTPOPULAR EVENTS

1

3

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Track and field

Soccer4

Gymnastics5

Basketball

2Swimming

The modern use of the Olympic flame began in 1936. Greek ritual also included torch relays, although this was not actually part of the Olympic Games.

Traditionally the Olympic flame originates in Olympia, Greece and is rekindled every two years using the sun's rays and a concave reflective mirror.

TORCH RELAY

1908

1912

The first time athletes marched into the stadium behind their nations' flags was in London.

The first Olympic Games to include competitors from all five continents.

1908The first time a swimming pool was used for swimming events.

OLYMPIC FLAGThe five interlocking rings of the Olympic flag symbolize

the five continents of the world LINKED TOGETHER IN FRIENDSHIP.

AUSTRALIA AFRICA AMERICAS

ASIA EUROPE

The Olympic Gold Medal is made of silver with a 6 gram coating of gold.

HOW MUCH GOLD IS THERE IN AN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL?

1984

1920The only Olympian ever to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize was Philip Noel-Baker of Great Britain, who won the silver medal in the 1500-meter dash.

First time professional athletes were officially allowed to compete in the Games.

THE VICTORY PODIUM WAS FIRST USED IN 1932.

The most Gold Medals ever won by a single individual in a

single Olympics. Michael Phelps,

USA, won them in the 2008 Beijing

Olympics.

8

LONDON 2012The 2012 Summer Olympics, which open on July 27, will make London the first city in the world to host the Olympic Games three times.

Sourceshttp://www.cnbc.com/id/26144883http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_are_the_Olympics_not_held_every_yearhttp://history1900s.about.com/od/greateventsofthecentury/a/olympicfacts.htmhttp://history1900s.about.com/od/fadsfashion/a/olympicshistory.htmhttp://geography.about.com/od/countryinformation/a/olympiccodes.htmhttp://geography.about.com/od/countryinformation/a/olympiccities.htmhttp://history1900s.about.com/od/greateventsofthecentury/a/olympicfacts_2.htmhttp://www.factmonster.com/spot/olympics-trivia.htmlhttp://www.topendsports.com/events/summer/trivia.htmhttp://www.topendsports.com/events/summer/firsts.htm

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