What Are All the Sports in the Olympics?

Wondering what sports are in the Olympics? Here’s a list of all the sports that have been in the Olympics, both Summer and Winter.

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Introduction

The Olympics are a global event that features a wide variety of sports. Although the games have changed over time, many of the same sports are still played today. Some of the most popular sports in the Olympics include swimming, track and field, gymnastics, and basketball.

The History of the Olympics

The first Olympics were in 776 B.C. in Olympia, Greece, but they weren’t like the games we know today. There were only men competing in sports like running, javelin throwing, and boxing. In 396 A.D., the last Olympics were held in Olympia. It wasn’t until 1892 that the games were revived by a French educator named Baron Pierre de Coubertin. The first “modern” Olympics were held in Athens, Greece in 1896. Since then, the Olympics have been held every four years (with a few exceptions) and have grown to include athletes from all over the world competing in a variety of sports.

The 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics will include 33 sports and 339 events — that’s a lot of competition! Here is a list of all the sports that will be played at the Tokyo Games:

Archery, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball/Softball, Basketball, Boxing ,Canoeing/Kayaking, Cycling BMX Freestyle Park ,Diving ,Equestrian ,Fencing ,Field Hockey ,Football ,Golf ,Gymnastics Artistic Gymnastics Rhythmic Trampoline Handball Judo Karate Lutte Olympique Modern Pentathlon Rowing Rugby Sevens Sailing Shooting Skateboarding Sport Climbing Surfing Taekwondo Tennis Table Tennis Triathlon Volleyball Beach Volleyball Water Polo Weightlifting Wrestling

As you can see, there is something for everyone at the Olympic Games!

The Different Sports in the Olympics

Most people know that the Olympics is a prestigious event where the best athletes from all over the world come together to compete. However, many don’t know just how many different sports and events are actually in the Olympics. The Olympics is comprised of both summer and winter events, each with their own set of sports. In total, there are over 35 different sports in the Olympics!

Here is a list of all the different sports in the Olympics:

Summer Sports: Archery, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Canoeing/Kayaking, Cycling, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football (Soccer), Golf, Gymnastics (Artistic), Gymnastics (Rhythmic), Handball, Hockey (Ice), Judo, Lacrosse, Modern Pentathlon (Shooting), Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Sailing/Surfing/Windsurfing*, Softball*, Shooting (Air/Pistol/Rifle), Skateboarding** , Sport Climbing** , Squash , Swimming , Synchronized Swimming , Table Tennis , Taekwondo , Tennis , Track & Field (Athletics) , Triathlon , Volleyball , Water Polo

Winter Sports: Alpine Skiing*, Biathlon*, Bobsleigh** , Cross-Country Skiing* Curling* Figure Skating* Freestyle Skiing* Ice hockey* Luge* Nordic Combined** Short track speed skating* Skeleton* Ski jumping* Snowboarding* Speed skating

(* Denotes sport also included in Summer Olympics)
(** Denotes sport added for Tokyo 2020)

The Most Popular Sports in the Olympics

The Olympics are a time when the world comes together to celebrate the best athletes in a variety of different sports. While some sports are more popular than others, all of them garner attention and excitement during the games. Here is a list of some of the most popular sports in the Olympics.

track and field, gymnastics, swimming, diving, boxing, wrestling, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, handball

The Most Controversial Sports in the Olympics

The Olympics are supposed to be a time when the world comes together to compete in a fair and friendly way. However, there are always a few sports that manage to stir up controversy. Here are some of the most controversial sports in the Olympics:

1. Boxing
Boxing has been an Olympic sport since the early days of the modern Games, but it has always been controversial. Some people argue that it is a barbaric sport that has no place in the Olympics. Others argue that it is a fair and exciting sport that tests athletes’ strength, speed, and technique.

2. Wrestling
Wrestling has also been an Olympic sport for many years, but it too has been surrounded by controversy. In recent years, there have been calls to remove wrestling from the Olympics, due to allegations of corruption and mismatches. However, many fans of the sport argue that it is one of the most pure and fair forms of competition in the world.

3. Judo
Judo is a relatively new sport to the Olympics, having only been added in 1964. It is a Japanese martial art that uses throws and joint locks to subdue opponents. Many people argue that judo is too violent for the Olympics, and that it does not belong alongside other “gentler” sports like gymnastics or swimming.

4. Soccer
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, but it has always been a controversial Olympic sport. This is because professional soccer players are not allowed to compete in the Olympics, which means that only amateur players can represent their countries. This often leads to lower-quality matches, which frustrates fans of the sport who want to see the best players in action.

The Most Dangerous Sports in the Olympics

There are a variety of dangerous sports that have been played in the Olympics over the years. Some of these sports are no longer played in the Olympics, while others are still played but with some modifications to make them safer. The following is a list of some of the most dangerous sports that have been played in the Olympics:

-Archery: Archery is a sport that has been played in the Olympics since 1900. While it may not seem like a particularly dangerous sport, there have been several accidents over the years where athletes have been injured by arrows.

-Boxing: Boxing has been an Olympic sport since 1904, and it is one of the most popular sports in the Olympics. However, it is also one of the most dangerous sports, as there have been several deaths over the years due to head injuries.

-Equestrian: Equestrian sports have been part of the Olympics since 1900. These sports are extremely dangerous, as there is a risk of being trampled by horses or thrown from them.

– Football: Football was first played in the Olympics in 1900, but it was only included as a demonstration sport. It became an official Olympic sport in 1908, but was then dropped after the 1912 Games due to violence between players. It returned as an official sport in 1932, but has not been included since 1948.

– Gymnastics: Gymnastics has been part of the Olympics since 1896, and is one of the most popular Olympic sports. However, it is also one of the most dangerous, as there is a risk of injuries from falls or collisions with other athletes.

– Hockey: Hockey was first played in the Olympics in 1920, and has been included in every Summer Games since then except for 1924 and 1988. While it is not as violent as football, there have been several accidents over the years where players have been injured by sticks or pucks.

– Luge: Luge is a winter sport that involves lying on your back on a sled and hurtling down an icy track at high speeds. It has been part of the Winter Olympics since 1964, and while it may not seem particularly dangerous, there have been several fatal accidents over the years.

– Rugby: Rugby was first played in the Olympics in 1900, but was only included as a demonstration sport. It became an official Olympic sport in 1908, but was then dropped after 1920 due to violence between players. It returned as an official sport in 2016 after 92 years absence.

– Sailing: Sailing has been part of the Summer Olympics since 1896, and is one of the oldest Olympic sports

The Most Unique Sports in the Olympics

The Summer Olympics are well underway, and with them comes a whole host of unique and interesting sports. Some of these sports are fairly well-known, while others are more obscure. Here’s a look at some of the most unique sports in the Olympics:

-Archery: Archery has been included in every Summer Olympics since 1900, making it one of the oldest Olympic sports. It requires great precision and skill, and is often considered one of the most challenging Olympic sports.

-Badminton: Badminton was first introduced as an Olympic sport in 1992, and has been a fixture ever since. It’s a relatively simple sport to understand and play, but can be very challenging and competitive at the highest levels.

-Basketball: Basketball is one of the most popular Olympic sports, and has been played in every Summer Olympics since 1936. It’s a fast-paced and exciting sport that always manages to generate a lot of interest from fans around the world.

-Beach Volleyball: Beach volleyball made its debut as an Olympic sport in 1996, and has been included in every Summer Olympics since then. It’s a relatively new sport, but has quickly become very popular thanks to its flashy nature and attractive athletes.

-Cycling: Cycling has been part of the Olympics since 1896, making it one of the oldest Olympic sports. There are various different cycling disciplines at the Olympics, including road racing, track racing, mountain biking, BMX racing, and more.

-Equestrian: Equestrian sports have been part of the Olympics since 1900, although they were only open to military officers until 1952. Nowadays there are various different equestrian disciplines contested at the Olympics, including dressage, eventing, show jumping, and more.

-Fencing: Fencing is one of the oldest Olympic sports, having first been contested in 1896. It’s a highly strategic and tactical sport that requires quick reflexes and great mental agility.

-Gymnastics: Gymnastics has been part of the Olympics since 1896, making it one of the oldest Olympic sports. It comprises various different disciplines like artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline gymnastics, and more. Gymnastics is always one of the most popular events at any Summer Olympics due to its flashy nature and talented athletes.

The Most Surprising Sports in the Olympics

The Olympics are well underway, and while we all know the popular sports like swimming, gymnastics, and track and field, there are a few lesser-known sports in the mix as well. Here are a few of the more surprising sports in the Olympics:

Rhythmic gymnastics: An Olympic sport since 1984, rhythmic gymnastics is a combination of ballet, gymnastics, and other artistic movements. Competitors use ribbons, balls, hoops, and ropes to perform choreographed routines set to music.

Trampoline: Trampoline was first introduced as an Olympic sport in 2000. Athletes compete by performing a series of acrobatic tricks and flips on a trampoline. There are individual and synchronized events for both men and women.

BMX racing: BMX racing made its debut at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The event consists of a series of races on dirt tracks with obstacles like jumps and berms. Riders must complete laps around the course as quickly as possible.

Water polo: Water polo has been an Olympic sport since 1900. The game is played in a pool with two teams of seven players each. The objective is to score goals by throwing the ball into the opposing team’s net.

The Most Interesting Sports in the Olympics

The Olympics are a time when the world comes together to compete in a variety of sports. While some of the sports are well-known, others may be less so. Here is a look at some of the most interesting sports in the Olympics:

Archery: Archery has been a part of the Olympics since 1900 and is one of the oldest sports in the world. Competitors use a bow and arrow to hit targets at varying distances.

Badminton: Badminton was first played in the Olympics in 1992 and has been a popular sport ever since. It is similar to tennis but is played with lighter equipment and a net.

Basketball: Basketball was first played in the Olympics in 1936 and has been a popular sport ever since. It is a team sport where players attempt to score baskets by shooting a ball through a hoop.

Boxing: Boxing was first played in the Olympics in 1904 and is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is a combat sport where two opponents attempt to punching each other while wearing gloves.

Cycling: Cycling was first played in the Olympics in 1896 and is one of the most popular sports in the world. It involves riding bicycles around an track or course.

Equestrian: Equestrian was first played in the Olympics in 1900 and involves horse riding. There are three disciplines within equestrian – dressage, eventing, and show jumping – and each discipline has its own set of rules.

Fencing: Fencing was first played in the Olympics in 1896 and is one of the oldest sports in the world. It is a combat sport where two opponents attempt to hit each other with swords.

Gymnastics: Gymnastics was first played in the Olympics in 1896 and involves performing various acrobatic maneuvers on different apparatus. There are three different types of gymnastics – artistic, rhythmic, and trampoline – and each type has its own set of rules.

Conclusion

The Olympics are a truly global event, with athletes representing countries from all over the world. At the same time, there is a great deal of tradition and history associated with the games. The sports that are included in the Olympics have evolved over time, and new sports are added on a regular basis. Currently, there are 33 sports that are recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

While some of these sports, such as swimming and track and field, are extremely popular, others are much less so. Some sports, such as curling and hockey, have been part of the Olympics for many years, while others, such as golf and rugby, were only added recently. There is no single criteria that determines which sports are included in the Olympics; rather, it is up to the International Olympic Committee to decide which sports will be included in each individual games.