- Home
- The Olympics
The Olympics
Ski-Jumper “Eddie the Eagle”
A short-sighted plasterer from Britain had dreams of representing his country in the Winter Olympics; astonishingly, he made those dreams come true.
Wilma Rudolph Overcame Childhood Polio to Win Olympic Gold Medals in Track and Field
Wilma Rudolph suffered several childhood illnesses, including polio. She overcame all of them to win three gold medals at the Summer Olympics of 1960, earning her the title of the fastest female in the world.
The Olympic Swindle
The biggest con game of them all finds new suckers every two years. Cities are so excited to host but don't think about all of the debt they are going to incur.
Olympic Medals: Myths and Fun Facts
During the Olympic Games, people see the fastest and strongest athletes earn gold, silver, and bronze medals. But how much do you know about these coveted awards? For example, are Olympic medals real gold? How heavy are they? This article has the answers.
Weird and Forgotten Former Olympic Sports
The Olympic motto of “Faster, Higher, Stronger” has sometimes encompassed events that might surprise you. This article lists a number of strange and obscure events that used to be part of the Olympics.
Jesse Owens, Star of the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Jesse Owens was the star athlete of the 1936 Berlin "Nazi" Olympic Games. A four-time gold medalist, he is one of the most celebrated U.S. track and field athletes in history. Adolf Hitler attended the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin and watched Owens compete.
Native Americans Jim Thorpe and Louis Tewanima: 1912 Olympic Champions
At the 1912 Summer Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden, two Native Americans became world famous with stunning victories in track and field by taking first and second places.
Olympic Athletes Who Have Died at the Olympic Games
Has anyone died in the Olympics? It's a morbid question, but one many have wondered. Unfortunately, while it is rare, Olympic deaths (including murder) have been documented throughout the history of the Games.
11 Interesting Facts About the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics
This guide covers 11 amazing facts about the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, as well as everything you need to know about the Winter Games in general.
Who Are the Top Five Fastest Runners in the World?
The 100-meter dash is one of the most popular and prestigious events in track and field. The winner of this event has traditionally been called the fastest person in the world. In this article, we'll take a look at the five fastest runners of all time.
The 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics: A Personal View
In 2012, London was host to the 30th Olympic Games and the 14th Paralympic Games. These are my impressions of both events and their accompanying media coverage—a potpourri of thoughts and anecdotes.
Abandoned Olympic Venues
Billions are spent building brand-new, state-of-the-art venues for the Olympics. But what happens after the Games leave? A sad trend these days is to simply abandon them to decay and rot. This article tracks down the abandoned Olympic venues from around the world.
1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics Memories
Being a part of an international event is a lifelong memory. The 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles was more special because I was allowed to participate in the Olympics—not as an athlete but as a volunteer.
How an Olympic Gold Medalist Died in the Electric Chair
James Snook, a member of the 1920 U.S. Olympic Pistol Team, was sentenced to death by electric chair. After winning a gold medal at the Games, he became involved in an extramarital affair he could not end.
The Olympic Games Explained: A Kids' Guide
Take a look at some of the history and trivia associated with the Olympic Games. Learn when the first Olympics was held (Ancient, Wenlock and Modern), what the medals are made of and the most successful athletes and countries in Olympics history...and much more!
How Bob Beamon Destroyed the Long Jump World Record and How I Tried to Emulate Him
This is the story of Bob Beamon, his sensational long jump world record and my own failure to emulate him 25 years later.
A Brief History of the Olympic Games
This article traces the history of the Olympic Games from its first recorded beginnings in 776 BC through to the present day, and briefly examines some of its more controversial moments.