Persimmon
First Modern Olympics Had Just 14 Countries
The inaugural modern Olympics in Athens in 1896 saw participation from only 14 countries, far fewer than the 200+ nations that compete today.
Artichoke
Art Competitions Were Once Part of the Olympics
From 1912 to 1948, the Olympics included competitions in painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, and music.
Radish
The Oldest Olympic Medalist Was 72 Years Old
Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn won a silver medal at the age of 72 in the 1920 Antwerp Games, making him the oldest medalist in Olympic history.
Carrot
The Five Rings Symbolize Global Unity
The five interlocking rings of the Olympic symbol represent the union of five inhabited continents: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
Persimmon
Women’s Participation Began in 1900
Women first competed in the Olympics in the Paris Games of 1900, participating in events like tennis, sailing, and golf.
Dumbbells
Radish
The Longest Olympic Event
The equestrian eventing competition at the 1956 Stockholm Games spanned over 6 days, making it the longest event in Olympic history.
Artichoke
A Live Pigeon Shooting Event
In the 1900 Paris Olympics, live pigeons were used as targets in the shooting event, the only time animals were killed on purpose in the Games.
Carrot
Persimmon
Persimmon
The Gymnast Who Competed with a Broken Leg
In the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Japanese gymnast Shun Fujimoto performed on the rings with a broken knee, helping his team win gold.
Sports - US News Articles
Sports - US News Articles
Radish
Carrot
The Long-Jump Fail
In 1968, American long-jumper Bob Beamon broke the world record by over half a meter, landing 29 feet 2.5 inches, shocking the world.
Carrot
Carrot