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Summer Olympics Facts & Worksheets

The Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Games of the Olympiad or Summer Olympics, is an international multi-sport event held once every four years.

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The Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Games of the Olympiad or Summer Olympics, is an international multi-sport event held once every four years.

See the fact file below for more information on The Summer Olympics, or you can download our 24-page Summer Olympics worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY OF SUMMER OLYMPICS

  • Over 3,000 years ago, in the Peloponnese of ancient Greece, the Games first began. Every four years, Olympia hosted sporting events that were given the title Olympic Games. 
  • At the time, time was measured in Olympiads rather than years, and the four-year period between the Ancient Games editions was referred to as an “Olympiad.”
  • The first modern-era Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896, following the unveiling of Pierre de Coubertin’s initiative to reestablish the Olympic Games in 1894.
  • The first marathon took place during the 1896 Olympics. The race, which was created by the Frenchman Michel Bréal, was based on the mythical course of Pheidippides.
  • He was a skilled runner thought to have been sent from the Marathon plain to Athens to herald the defeat of an invading Persian army in 490 BCE. 
  • Spyridon Louis, a Greek who won the race and garnered the nation’s unwavering admiration, was the victor, and the race ended up being the highlight of the Olympics.
  • The first Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896, and the most recent was in Tokyo, Japan, in 2021. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is in charge of overseeing the host city’s preparations and organizing the Games. 
  • In every Olympic event, first-place winners receive a gold medal, second-place winners receive silver medals, and third-place winners receive bronze medals, according to a tradition that dates back to 1904.

SPORTS EVENTS

  • Nine sports competed at the first Olympic Games in 1896. Several sports have been added to the curriculum since that time, as well as eliminated. 
  • Since 1896, just five sports have been played in each summer Olympic Games, which include swimming, fencing, cycling, and athletics.
  • There were 26 sports played in 2012; this number rose to 28 in 2016 and 33 in 2020. The upcoming Olympic Games in Paris 2024 are projected to contain 32 sports, including the debut of breakdancing, while karate, baseball, and softball are dropped from the lineup.
  • Fencing – One of the first Olympic sports, fencing has been a part of the competitions since its inception. The sport comprises two contestants outfitted in safety masks and gear who attack one another with swords.
  • Equestrian Jumping – Although it originally appeared in the Olympics in 1900, equestrian jumping has been a regular event since 1912. In equestrian jumping, participants ride horses and train them to clear obstacles before a judge’s panel.
  • Canoe Sprint – Since 1936, the Olympics have included canoe sprint races, frequently running across 200, 500, and 1000 meters.
  • Artistic Gymnastics – Since 1896, artistic gymnastics has been showcased at the Olympics. Athletes in artistic gymnastics perform on a variety of gym equipment, such as vaults, floor mats, stationary rings, and balance beams.
  • Handball – In 1936, handball had its Olympic debut; it wouldn’t compete again until 1972. It has consistently appeared at the games ever since the 1970s.
  • Weightlifting – Since 1896, a variety of events, from flyweight competitions to super heavyweight competitions, have been conducted in weightlifting sports at the Olympics.

NOTABLE ATHLETES

  • Michael Phelps (Swimming, United States)
    • Without a doubt, Michael Phelps is the greatest Olympian to ever compete. In addition to his eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, he previously took home six gold and two bronze medals from the 2004 Games. 
    • The eight gold medals surpassed Mark Spitz’s previous high of seven at the Munich Olympics in 1972. 
  • Paavo Nurmi (Track and Field, Finland)
    • Paavo Nurmi was regarded as the top middle- and long-distance runner in the world throughout the 1920s. 
    • In the Olympic competition from 1920 to 1928, Nurmi took home nine gold and three silver medals. 
    • He specifically won five gold medals for individuals in the 1,500-, 5,000-, individual cross-country, 5,000-meter cross-country team, and 3,000-meter teams in the 1924 Olympics.
  • Alexei Nemov (Gymnastics, Russia)In the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, Nemov won each of his 12 medals.
  •  He took home gold in the vault and team competition in 1996, silver in the all-around, bronze in the floor exercise, high bar, and pommel horse. 
  • He also won a gold medal in the all-around high bar in 2000, a silver medal in the floor exercise, and a bronze medal in the team competition, pommel horse, and parallel bars.
  • He took home gold in the vault and team competition in 1996, silver in the all-around, bronze in the floor exercise, high bar, and pommel horse. 
  • He also won a gold medal in the all-around high bar in 2000, a silver medal in the floor exercise, and a bronze medal in the team competition, pommel horse, and parallel bars.

WINNING COUNTRIES

  • Throughout the competition, the United States has taken home 2,960 medals in total. In terms of the Olympics, the United States is the country with the most gold, silver, and bronze medals earned. 
  • Team USA now has 1,174 gold medals, 954 silver, and 832 bronze after winning 39 golds and 113 medals on the podium at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 
  • Germany ranks third in both categories, but the Soviet Union (Russia) is still in second place with 1,204 overall medals and 473 golds (339 golds, 1,056 medals).
  • Meanwhile, the next two medal toppers in the all-time rankings are Great Britain with 964 medals and France with 896.

SUMMER OLYMPICS IN THE COMING YEARS

  • Summer 2024 Olympics, Paris, France
    • The summer Olympics will be held in Paris in 2024, making it the city’s third time serving as a host. Paris hosted for the first two occasions in 1900 and 1924. Around 500,000 spectators are anticipated at the public Opening Ceremony of the Games, which will take place along the River Seine.
  • Summer 2028 Olympics, Los Angeles
    • For the first time in 26 years, the Olympics are returning to the United States, the first since Salt Lake City hosted in 2002 and the third Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles. 
    • The Los Angeles Coliseum will once again host Olympic events, while the opening and closing ceremonies will take place in SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, and the location of Super Bowl LVI.

Summer Olympics Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Summer Olympics across 24 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Summer Olympics. The Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Games of the Olympiad or Summer Olympics, is an international multi-sport event held once every four years.

Summer Olympics Worksheets
Summer Olympics Worksheets
Summer Olympics Worksheets

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Summer Olympics Facts
  2. The Oldest Sport
  3. Olympic Discipline – Aquatics
  4. Olympic Discipline – Equestrian
  5. Olympic Discipline – Cycling
  6. Olympic Discipline – Gymnastics
  7. Guess the Sport
  8. Summer Champion
  9. Olympic Stamp
  10. Qualities of an Olympic Athlete
  11. Proud Athlete

Frequently Asked Questions

When were the first modern Summer Olympics held?

The first modern Summer Olympics were held on April 6, 1896, in Athens, Greece.

How often are the Summer Olympics held?

The Summer Olympics are held every four years, with the exception of 2020 when they were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Which country has won the most gold medals in the history of the Summer Olympics?

The United States has won the most gold medals in the history of the Summer Olympics, with a total of 1,127 gold medals as of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

What is the symbol of the Summer Olympics?

The symbol of the Summer Olympics is the five interlocking rings, which represent the unity of the five inhabited continents of the world.

How are the host cities chosen for the Summer Olympics?

The host cities for the Summer Olympics are chosen through a bidding process by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which considers factors such as the city’s infrastructure, facilities, financial resources, and commitment to the Olympic values.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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