The Olympics are the most highly recognized sports events on the planet. Taking place summer and winter every four years, the Olympics draw huge numbers of spectators and a television audience that is unrivaled.
There are a number of sports on the list that might sound familiar, and others that might be surprising.
Olympic Sport List: Summer Water Sports
Aquatics include four separate disciplines – swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming.
Diving has been apart of the Olympics since 1904 when it was introduced at the St. Louis Games. Swimming is an Olympic sport with a great number of events. Since 1912, women have been able to participate. Synchronized swimming is an event that is contested both individually and as a duet. Water Polo has been apart of the Olympics list since 1900; however, women have only been able to participate since the year 2000.
Canoeing is broken into two events – slalom canoeing and flatwater. The boats used for this event include a canoe and a kayak. The kayak can hold between one and four kayakers.
Rowing has a rich Olympic tradition, having been a part of the lineup since 1900; lightweight rowing was introduced to the Olympics in 1996.
Sailing is a popular event that debuted in Paris at the turn of the century. Initially it was a men’s sport, made up of 10 events. It took until 1992 for women to become a part of this sport.
Olympic Sport List: Summer Group Sports
Badminton is a fun and exciting sport to watch. It was a late entry into the Olympic world, having first been played in Barcelona in 1992.
Basketball has been a part of the Olympics since 1936.
Field Hockey became an Olympic staple in 1908 and was briefly removed from the list in 1924. In 1928 it was returned when Pakistan and India were champions.
Football, surprisingly, involves both men and women’s events. Football has been a part of every Olympiad except for the years 1896 and 1932.
The Chinese have always heavily dominated Table Tennis. There are singles and doubles events and it has been a part of the summer roster since 1988.
Tennis has a long-standing relationship with the Olympics and has been a part of the tradition since 1896.
Volleyball is separated into two distinct disciplines, beach and indoor volleyball.
Olympic Sport List: Summer Individual Games
Archery has been an event since 1900.
Athletics are separated into many events such as relay races, hurdles, various meter races, long and high jumps, pole vaulting, shot put and more. Both men and women are involved in Athletics.
Boxing has been an Olympic event since 1904 and will be open to female contestants starting in the 2012 games.
Cycling is separated into four disciplines: mountain biking, track cycling, BMX and road cycling. Open to both men and women cyclers, this event has been a part of the Olympiad tradition since 1896.
Equestrian include the disciplines Jumping, Eventing and Dressage and has been part of the Olympics since 1900.
Regardless of the event, every Olympic sport requires extreme discipline, endurance and dedication by its participators.