32 Olympics Trivia Questions to Prepare You for Paris 2024!

July 18, 2024

1. Which city hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896?

Athens

The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, from April 6 to April 15, 1896.

2. What year did women first compete in the modern Olympic Games?

1900

Women first participated in the 1900 Paris Olympics, competing in lawn tennis and golf.

3. Which country has won the most gold medals in Olympic history?

United States

The United States has won the most gold medals in Olympic history, with over 1,000 gold medals across both Summer and Winter Games.

4. What does the Olympic motto 'Citius, Altius, Fortius' mean in English?

Faster, Higher, Stronger

The Olympic motto 'Citius, Altius, Fortius' is Latin for 'Faster, Higher, Stronger'.

5. In which year did the Olympic Games first award gold medals?

1904

The 1904 St. Louis Olympics were the first to award gold medals to winners. Prior to that, winners received silver medals, with olive wreaths for second place.

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6. Which Olympic sport features the Fosbury Flop technique?

High Jump

The Fosbury Flop, named after Dick Fosbury, is a technique used in the high jump event where the athlete goes over the bar backwards.

7. What year did the Olympic Games first include the marathon event?

1896

The marathon was first introduced at the inaugural modern Olympics in Athens in 1896, inspired by the legend of Pheidippides.

8. Which country hosted the 2000 Summer Olympics?

Australia

The 2000 Summer Olympics were held in Sydney, Australia, from September 15 to October 1, 2000.

9. What color is the middle ring of the Olympic flag?

Black

The Olympic flag features five interlocking rings on a white background. The colors are blue, yellow, black, green, and red, with black in the middle.

10. In which year did tennis return as an Olympic sport after a 64-year absence?

1988

Tennis returned to the Olympics in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea, after being absent since 1924.

11. Which gymnast won a record seven Olympic medals at a single Games in 1952?

Maria Gorokhovskaya

Soviet gymnast Maria Gorokhovskaya won seven medals (two gold and five silver) at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, a record for a single Games.

12. What was the first city to host the Summer Olympics three times?

London

London became the first city to host the Summer Olympics three times in 2012, having previously hosted in 1908 and 1948.

13. Who was the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 in Olympic competition?

Nadia Comaneci

Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci scored the first perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics history at the 1976 Montreal Games.

14. Which country boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics?

United States

The United States led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

15. Which Olympic sport features the Repechage system?

Judo

Judo uses the Repechage system, which allows athletes who lose in the early rounds to compete for bronze medals.

16. In which year did the Olympic Games first award medals for cultural achievements?

1912

The 1912 Stockholm Olympics were the first and last to award medals for achievements in the arts, including literature, music, painting, and sculpture.

17. Which swimmer won a record eight gold medals at a single Olympic Games?

Michael Phelps

American swimmer Michael Phelps won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

18. What was the first Asian city to host the Summer Olympics?

Tokyo

Tokyo became the first Asian city to host the Summer Olympics in 1964.

19. Which track and field event was not part of the ancient Olympic Games?

Pole Vault

The pole vault was not part of the ancient Olympic Games. It was introduced in modern Olympics in 1896 for men and 2000 for women.

20. Which country has won the most medals in Olympic boxing?

United States

The United States has won the most medals in Olympic boxing, with over 100 medals in total.

21. What was the first year that beach volleyball was included as an Olympic sport?

1996

Beach volleyball made its Olympic debut at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

22. Which country hosted the 1968 Summer Olympics?

Mexico

The 1968 Summer Olympics were held in Mexico City, Mexico, making it the first Latin American country to host the Games.

23. What is the maximum number of attempts allowed in Olympic shot put?

6

In Olympic shot put, each athlete is allowed a maximum of six attempts, with the best distance counting as their final result.

24. Which sport returned to the Olympics in 2016 after a 112-year absence?

Golf

Golf returned to the Olympics at the 2016 Rio Games after last being contested in 1904.

25. Which city will host the 2028 Summer Olympics?

Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, has been selected to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, making it the third time the city has hosted the Games.

26. What is the name of the Olympic anthem?

Olympic Hymn

The Olympic anthem is officially known as the 'Olympic Hymn', composed by Spyridon Samaras with lyrics by Kostis Palamas.

27. Which Olympic sport features the Foil, Épée, and Sabre?

Fencing

Fencing has three disciplines in the Olympics: Foil, Épée, and Sabre, each with different rules and target areas.

28. What was the first year that all participating nations sent female athletes to the Olympics?

2012

The 2012 London Olympics was the first time that all participating nations sent female athletes to compete in the Games.

29. Which Olympic sport uses the term 'ippon'?

Judo

In Judo, 'ippon' is the highest score a competitor can achieve, resulting in an immediate win.

30. What is the length of an Olympic swimming pool?

50 meters

Olympic swimming pools are 50 meters long, also known as 'long course' pools.

31. Which country has won the most gold medals in men's water polo?

Hungary

Hungary has won the most gold medals in men's water polo, with a total of 9 Olympic gold medals.

32. What was the first year that table tennis was included in the Olympics?

1988

Table tennis made its Olympic debut at the 1988 Seoul Games.

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