Now coming to a close, the 2024 Paris Olympics have showcased impressive athletic performances, shown us inspirational stories, and reiterated the global appeal of sports. The Olympic Games are more than just a global sporting event; they have a rich history and represent unity and excellence. As the final events and match-ups are underway, read on to find out about 10 fascinating Olympic facts:
The Games started off with just one event
The roots of the Olympics Games are found in Ancient Greece, where the first known Games were held in 776 BCE. While the 2024 Paris Olympics will feature 32 games, the Games originally started off with much more simplicity. Between 776 and 724 BCE, the only featured event was the stadion – a footrace around 190 meters long. Contrary to popular belief, chariot racing and wrestling were not a part of the Games at this point.
The Olympic logo is more than just five rings
The iconic five-ring Olympics symbol was first produced in 1913, following a design created by co-founder of the Modern Olympics Games – Baron Pierre de Coubertin. The rings were designed with careful consideration, aiming to represent all 5 inhabited continents. The five colors used (blue, black, green, red and yellow), as well as the white backdrop, are found in the flags of all participating countries. The overlapping of the rings also symbolizes cooperation and unity.
The journey of the Olympic torch
In the Ancient Olympic Games, a flame would burn throughout the competition to honor Hestia, the Greek goddess of home, hearth and hospitality. In the modern Games, the Olympic Torch Relay helps keep this tradition alive. A new torch is lit a few months before the Games during a ceremony in Olympia – the original location of the Olympics. From here, the flame is passed between multiple torchbearers until it reaches the host country. Before this year’s opening ceremony, the Olympic torch for the 2024 Paris Games journeyed all over France, after making traditional tours around Greece. During the Opening Ceremony, the torch was used to transfer the flame to the Olympic cauldron, which will remain lit for the duration of the Games.
Olympic athletes can be much younger than you think
According to the rules of the International Olympic Committee, there is no specific age limit for competing in the Olympics. As a result of this, we’ve seen an array of young competitors participate in the Games. Examples include Sky Brown, who debuted in skateboarding at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and won a Bronze medal at 13 years old. Cocona Hiraki, who was just a month younger than Brown, won a silver in the same event that year. Hend Zaza, a Syrian table tennis player, was 12 years old when she participated at the Tokyo Olympics. This made her the youngest Olympian there. The youngest competitor in the history of the Games made his debut alongside the debut of the modern Olympics, at Athens in 1896. This competitor was Dimitrios Loundras, who was just 10 years old!
The British Royal Family of 1908 influenced the standard marathon distance
While its popularity has been passed over by sports like gymnastics and swimming, the Olympic marathon was considered the highlight of the Summer Games. Following tradition, the marathon is always the last event, and often ends within hours of the closing ceremony. Before 1920, the distance of the marathon would vary between 24 to 26 miles, but in 1921, it was standardized to 26.22 miles. This very specific number was influenced by the planning of the marathon at the 1908 Games in London. Originally, the marathon distance was supposed to be 25 miles, but it was extended to 26.22 miles to fit the request of Queen Alexandra. She wanted the marathon to end in front of the Royal Box in the Great Stadium, where she would be sitting. The race also started at Windsor Castle, where the children could see it start from their nursery.
Many events have come and gone
Throughout Olympic history, various events have been cancelled and even reintroduced. For example, gold was a part of the 1900 and 1904 Olympics, but was then removed. It remained absent from the Games for over a century. However, it was reintroduced in 2016, and has been a popular Olympic event since then. The decision to remove or include an event in the Games depends on its popularity, global participation, feasibility and marketability etc. Some games – that seem unusual today – have been taken out of the running forever. For example, motorboat racing, croquet, solo synchronized swimming, duelling pistols, swimming obstacle races and rope climbing are among the many events no longer featured at the Olympic Games.
Live pigeon shooting used to be an event
One of the most unusual events to have been a part of the Olympics is live pigeon shooting. This event was introduced only once at the 1900 Olympics, ironically also held in Paris. The objective was simple: shoot and kill as many birds as possible within a specific time frame. The official report of the Games described this sport as “très aristocratique” (very aristocratic). This was the first – and only – time animals were harmed on purpose during this worldwide event. Understandably, the event was removed due to its controversial nature.
Artists used to take part in the Olympics too!
Between 1912 and 1948, painters, writers, sculptors, architects and musicians participated in the Olympics as well! These artists competed in their respective fields to create art inspired by sport. From sculptures to paintings, medals were given to exceptional pieces of art. Even though they stopped officially competing in 1948, artists still play a major role in designing campaigns and posters for the Games. The Olympic Museum also started running the Olympian Artist programme, allowing Olympic and Paralympic athletes to create new art and contribute to Olympism artworks.
Between 1904 and 1912, first place gold medals were made of solid gold
The 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis, Missouri were the first to feature the traditional gold, silver and bronze medals. Before this, prizes were shields, trophies, and for a long period of time, olive branches! The gold medals introduced at the 1904 Games were made of solid gold, as the metal was cheaper to obtain prior to World War 1. The Olympic Games of 1908 and 1912 also featured such medals. However, this trend did not continue, largely due to the outbreak of World War 1. The 1916 Games were cancelled as a result of the war, and gold prices skyrocketed because of increased demand. Thus, from that point onwards, host countries started using gold-plated medals. The core of these medals is made of silver, which is then coated with a thin layer of gold to give it a”golden” look.
World War 2 created some unprecedented interruptions for the Games
Tokyo was originally chosen to host the 1940 c, but the outbreak of World War 2 forced a change of plans. The venue was changed to Finland, but the games still had to be cancelled. Similarly, the 1944 Games, which were meant to be hosted in London were also cancelled. This is one of the few times that the Games have been interrupted due to a global conflict. They finally resumed in 1948, but Germany and Japan were banned from participating after the war.
