Olympics Facts

Olympic Games are one of the most awaited athletic events in the world of today. The history of Olympic Games dates back to 776 BC, when they were considered as more of a religious festival, than a competition. However, the ancient Olympic Games came to an end in 393 AD. It was only in late 19^th century that interest in Olympic Games was renewed. The first modern Olympics were held in 1896, in Athens, Greece. The international multi-sport event of Olympics stands subdivided into summer and winter sporting events. These two events are held at a two-year gap. In case you want to know more about Olympics, check out the fun facts and interesting trivia given below. 

Olympics Facts & Trivia 

• From 776 BC to 393 AD, the early Olympic Games were organized, being celebrated as a religious festival.
• It was 1894 that Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator, proposed the revival of the ancient tradition of Olympics, giving birth to the modern-day Olympic Summer Games.
• The first Olympic Summer Games were held in Athens, in 1896. In those games, Greece won the most medals (47).
• The first opening ceremony of Olympic Games was held in London, England, when the country hosted the sporting event in the year 1908.
• In the 1920 Olympic Games, the Olympic flag was flown for the very first time.
• The first Winter Olympic Games were held in Chamonix (France), in the year 1924.
• Till date, Norway has won the maximum medals, numbering 263, at the Olympic Winter Games.
• In case of Olympic Summer Games, United States claims the distinction of having the maximum medals, numbering 2189.
• The five Olympic rings represent the five major regions of the world - Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceana.
• Every national flag in the world includes one of the five colors of the Olympic rings, which are blue, yellow, black, green, and red.
• Until 1994, Olympics were held after every four years. Since then, Winter and Summer Games have alternated every two years.
• The 1960 Summer Games in Rome were the first Olympics to be covered by U.S. television. They were covered by CBS.
• Till date, not even a single country in Southern Hemisphere has hosted Winter Olympic Games.
• Olympic Games have never been organized in three continents - Africa, South America and Antarctica.
• Pierre de Coubertin is the writer of the Olympic Oath, which is recited during the opening ceremonies, by an athlete, on behalf of all the atheletes.
• Belgian athlete Victor Boin took the first Olympic oath, way back in the year 1920.
• Olympic flame is a very important part of the Games. The flame was ignited for the first time in Olympia (Greece). The flame kept burning until the closing ceremony of the Games. The custom is followed till date.
• The first Olympic flame marked its appearance in the modern Olympics in 1928, when it was ignited in Amsterdam - the host of the games in that year.
• The Olympic Hymn is played when the Olympic Flag is raised, during the opening ceremony of the game. The hymn was composed by Spyros Samaras, while Kostis Palamas provided the lyrics.
• In the ancient times, the gold medals awarded in Olympic Games were made completely out of pure gold. The last Olympic gold medal (made of pure gold) was awarded way back in 1912.