Modern society is spoiled by a huge variety of available entertainment and therefore attractive. It is easily carried away by new fun and just as quickly loses interest in them in pursuit of new, still unusual toys. Therefore, those pleasures that have managed to hold the attention of the windy public for a long time can be considered truly strong attractions. A striking example is sports competitions of a different nature, from team games to doubles. And the title of the main "watchman" is rightfully borne by the Olympic Games. For several millennia, these multi-species competitions have attracted the attention of not only professional athletes, but also fans of various sports trends, as well as simply fans of a colorful, memorable show.
Of course, the Olympic Games weren't always as expensive and high-tech performance as they are today. But they have always been spectacular and fascinating, starting from their very appearance in the days of Antiquity. Since then, the Olympic Games have been suspended several times, they have changed their format and set of competitions, and have been adapted for athletes with disabilities. And now a regular two-year organizational system has been established. How long? History will show it. But now the whole world is looking forward to every new Olympic Games. Although few spectators, following the tense rivalry of their sports idols, guess how and why the Olympic Games appeared.
The origin of the Olympic Games
The body cult inherent in the ancient Greeks was the reason for the appearance of the first sports games on the territory of the ancient city-states. But it was Olympia that gave the holiday its name, which has been entrenched for centuries. Beautiful and strong bodies were glorified from the stage, immortalized in marble and adorned in sports arenas. The oldest legend says that for the first time the Games were mentioned by the Delphic oracle around the 9th century. BC e., than saved Elis and Sparta from civil strife. And already in 776 BC. The first pan-Greek Olympic Games were held, established by the god-like hero Hercules himself. It was a truly large-scale event: a celebration of physical culture, religious worship and simply the affirmation of life.
Even the holy wars for the Hellenes were suspended for the duration of the Olympic Games. The seriousness of the event was arranged accordingly: the date of its holding was set by a special commission, which, through the ambassadors-spondophores, announced its decision to the inhabitants of all Greek city-states. After that, their best athletes went to Olympia to train and polish their skills for a month under the guidance of experienced mentors. Then, for five days in a row, athletes competed in the following types of physical exercises: 
This set can be considered the first composition of the Olympic sports of the times of Antiquity. Their champions, the winners of the competition, received truly divine honors and until the next Games enjoyed special respect from their compatriots and, according to rumors, the Thunderer Zeus himself. At home, they were greeted with songs, sung in hymns and honored at banquets, making obligatory sacrifices on their behalf to the supreme gods. Their names became known to every Greek. But the competitions were tough, the competition was serious, and the level of physical fitness of the competitors was very high, so few people managed to keep the laurels of the winner next year. The same unique heroes, who were three times the best of the best, were erected a monument in Olympia and equated with demigods.
A distinctive feature of the ancient Olympic Games was the participation in them not only of athletes, but also of artists. The ancient Greeks did not categorize human achievement at all and enjoyed life in all its manifestations. Therefore, the Olympic Games were accompanied by performances of poets, actors and musicians. Moreover, some of them did not refuse to show themselves in sports - for example, Pythagoras was a champion in fistfights. Artists sketched key events and images of athletes, spectators admired the combination of physical and spiritual beauty, enjoyed an abundance of delicious food and drinks. Sounds like modern workouts, doesn't it? But the original Olympic Games were still far from the current level of organization. This is confirmed by the annoying cessation of their history, albeit temporary.
Banning the Olympic Games
So, cheerfully and amicably, in 1168 years exactly 293 ancient Olympiads were held. Until 394 A.D. Roman emperor Theodosius the first "Bolshoi" did not ban the Olympic Games by his decree. According to the Romans, who brought and imposed Christianity on the Greek lands, shameless and noisy sports competitions were the embodiment of a pagan, and therefore unacceptable, way of life. You could even say that they were right in their own way. After all, religious ceremonies in honor of the gods of Olympus were an integral part of the Games. Each athlete considered it his duty to spend several hours at the sacrificial altar, offering prayers and making sacrifices to divine patrons. Mass ceremonies were accompanied by the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games, as well as the awarding of the winners and their triumphant return home.
The Greeks even adjusted the chronology to hold their favorite sports, cultural and entertainment event, creating the so-called "Olympic calendar". According to him, the holiday was to be held in the "holy month", which begins on the first full moon after the summer solstice. The cycle was 1417 days, or the Olympics - that is, the ancient Greek “Olympic year”. Of course, the warlike Romans were not going to put up with this state of affairs and free thinking in society. And although the Olympic Games still continued after Rome conquered the lands of Hellas, the pressure and oppression of Greek culture inevitably affected them, gradually leading to a complete decline.
A similar fate befell other, less significant, but similar in principle, sporting events. Their, starting from about the 6th century. BC. regularly held in honor of various gods and named after the venue: the Pythian Games, the Isthmian Games, the Nemean Games, etc. Mention of them along with the Olympic Games can be found in Herodotus, Plutarch, Lucian and some other ancient authors. But none of these competitions have gone down in history so firmly, have not influenced the development of European culture so much and have not been subsequently reinstated in rights as the Olympic Games.
Revival of the Olympic Games
Christian dogmas ruled over the European continent for more than one and a half thousand years, during which there was no question of holding the Olympic Games in their classical format. Even the Renaissance, which revived ancient values and cultural achievements, was powerless in this matter. And only at the end of the 19th century, that is, relatively recently, the restoration of the rights of the ancient Greek traditions of physical culture became possible. This event is associated with the name of Pierre de Coubertin. This 33-year-old French baron, who succeeded in his pedagogical and literary career and social activities, considered regular sports competitions an excellent opportunity to strengthen mutual understanding around the world in general and raise the national consciousness of his compatriots in particular.
In June 1894, de Coubertin spoke at an international congress at the Sorbonne with a proposal to revive the Olympic Games. The proposal was received with enthusiasm, at the same time the International Olympic Committee was created, and de Coubertin himself was appointed general secretary. And already two years later, it took place for preparation, in 1896 in Athens, the capital of the cradle of the Olympic Games, the first modern Olympic Games were held. And with great success: 241 athletes from 14 countries of the world, and the leaders of these countries, and the flattered Greek government were very pleased with the sports event. The IOC immediately established a rotation of venues for the Olympics and a 4-year gap between Games.
Therefore, the second and third Olympic Games were already held in the twentieth century, in 1900 and 1904, in Paris (France) and St. Louis (USA), respectively. Even then, their organization adhered to the Charter of the Olympic Games, approved by the International Sports Congress. Its main provisions remain unchanged today. In particular, those related to the ordinal numbering of the Games, their symbols, venue and some other technical and organizational issues. As for the Olympic sports, their list is not constant and changes from time to time, either including or excluding some individual items. But basically today these are 28 (41 disciplines) sports:
- Rowing
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Boxing
- Wrestling
- Freestyle wrestling
- Greco-Roman wrestling
- Cycling
- Track Cycling
- Mountain bike (Mountain bike)
- Road cycling
- Swimming
- Water polo
- Diving
- Synchronized swimming
- Volleyball
- Beach volleyball
- Handball
- Gymnastics
- Rhythmic gymnastics
- Trampoline jumping
- Golf
- Rowing and canoeing
- Rowing slalom
- Judo
- Dressage
- Show jumping
- Triathlon
- Athletics
- Table tennis
- Sailing
- Rugby
- Modern pentathlon
- Archery
- Tennis
- Triathlon
- Taekwondo
- Weightlifting
- Fencing
- Football
- Field hockey
By the way, the modern pentathlon was also created on the initiative of de Coubertin. He also founded the tradition, later enshrined in the Olympic Charter, to hold demonstration competitions in 1-2 sports not recognized by the IOC. But the idea of the Baron to hold Art Contests at the Olympic Games did not take root. But the personalized Pierre de Coubertin Medal is still awarded by the International Olympic Committee for "outstanding manifestations of the Olympic sports spirit." This award is a special honor for the athlete, and many value it much higher than the Olympic gold medal.
By the way, the Olympic medal was also born along with the modern Olympic Games and can be considered the brainchild of de Coubertin's inexhaustible enthusiasm and ingenuity. After all, the ancient Greeks awarded their athletes not with medals at all, but with any other prizes: olive wreaths, gold coins and other jewelry. One of the kings even granted the victorious athlete his state. In the modern world, such waste is unthinkable, because all the principles of awarding and the system of awards for the Olympic Games since 1984 are clearly spelled out in the Olympic Charter.
Development of the Olympic Games. Paralympic and Winter Olympic Games.
The Olympic Charter is a kind of charter that contains the rules of the Olympic Games and the activities of the IOC, and also reflects the very concept and philosophy of the Olympics. At the beginning of its existence, it still allowed for corrections and amendments. In particular, since 1924, it also regulates the holding of the Winter Olympic Games, or the "White Olympics", conceived as an addition to the main summer games. The first Winter Olympics were held in Sweden and then regularly held in the same years as the Summer Olympics for nearly a century. And only in 1994, the tradition began to separate the summer and winter Olympics from each other by a two-year interval. To date, the Olympic Winter Games include the following 7 winter (15 disciplines) sports:
- Biathlon
- Curling
- Skating
- Figure skating
- Short track
- Skiing
- Ski nordic
- Ski race
- Ski jumping
- Snowboard
- Freestyle
- Bobsled
- Luge
- Skeleton
- Hockey
A little earlier, in 1960, the IOC decided to hold competitions for athletes with disabilities. They are called the Paralympic Games in connection with the generalized term for diseases of the spine. But later it was reformulated into the Paralympic Games and explained by "parallelism", equality with the Olympic Games, since athletes with other diseases also began to compete. By their example, they demonstrate the moral and physical strength necessary for a fulfilling life and sports victories.
Rules and traditions of the Olympic Games
The scale and significance of the Olympic Games has surrounded them with many traditions, nuances and social myths. Each regular competition is accompanied by close attention of the world community, the media and private fans. Over the years, the Games have indeed acquired many rituals, most of which are recorded in the Charter and are strictly observed by the IOC. Here are the most significant ones:
- Olympic Games Symbol- 5 multi-colored rings fastened together, placed in two rows, implies the union of the five parts of the world. In addition to him, there is the Olympic motto "Faster, higher, stronger!"
- Opening and closing of the Olympic Games- this is a grandiose performance, which has become a kind of tacit competition between the organizers in the scale and high cost of this action. They do not spare funds for staging these ceremonies, using expensive special effects, inviting the best screenwriters, artists and world celebrities. The inviting party makes great efforts to ensure the audience's interest.
- Financing of the Olympic Games- the responsibility of the organizing committee of the host country. Moreover, the proceeds from the broadcast of the Games and other marketing activities within their framework are transferred to the IOC.
- Country, or rather the city, the holding of the next Olympic Games is determined 7 years before their date. But even 10 years before the holding, candidate cities provide the IOC with applications and presentations with evidence of their advantages. Acceptance of applications lasts for a year, then, 8 years before the event, the finalists are named, and only then the IOC members, by secret ballot, appoint a new host of the Olympics. All this time the world is in a tense expectation of a decision.
- Most Olympic Games were held in the USA - 8 Olympiads. France has hosted the Olympics 5 times, and Great Britain, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada 3 times.
- Title of champion of the Olympic Games- the most honorable in the career of any athlete. Moreover, it is given forever, there are no “former Olympic champions”.
- Olimpic village- This is the traditional habitat of delegations from each country participating in the Olympics. It is built by the organizing committee according to the requirements of the IOC and lodges there only athletes, coaches and service personnel. Thus, it turns out a whole town, with its own infrastructure, training grounds, post offices and even beauty salons.
The first Olympic Games of our time were held in the Greek city of Athens from April 6 to 15, 1896.
Decision to host the First Olympic Games
June 23, 1894, Paris, Sorbonne University - 1 Congress of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was held. initiated an event to announce a project to revive the Ancient Greek Olympic Games. At the suggestion of the writer and translator Demetrius Vikelas (who later became the First President of the IOC), it was decided to hold the new Olympic Games in the city of Athens (Greece). As conceived by the organizers of the Olympics, such a decision would testify to the continuity of the Olympic Games to the present of the traditions of Ancient Greece and, moreover, the city had the only large stadium in the whole of Europe. Unfortunately, the idea to host the Games in Olympia had to be abandoned due to the enormous costs of the stadium reconstruction.
Opening ceremony of the First Olympic Games
On Easter Monday of Christianity (Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Protestantism) and, moreover, on the Independence Day of Greece, April 6, 1896, the opening ceremony of the First Summer Olympic Games of our time took place. On the day of the grand start of the competition, more than 80 thousand spectators were present at the stadium in Athens. The ceremony was also attended by the royal family of Greece. From the rostrum, King George I solemnly declared the First International Olympic Games in the city of Athens open.
From that day on, the first Olympic traditions were born: the head of state, where the competitions are held, opens the Games, and the Olympic anthem is played at the Games ceremony. True, such traditions of the Olympics as the ceremony of lighting the fire, the parade of the participating countries, the taking of the oath have not yet been established.
Participants of the First Olympic Games
More than two hundred and forty male athletes took part in the first Olympic competitions. Forty-three sets of Olympic medals were played in such Olympic sports: wrestling, athletics, cycling, swimming, shooting, gymnastics, tennis, fencing, and weightlifting.
According to the IOC, representatives of fourteen countries participated in the First Modern Olympics, their athletes were delegated by: Australia, Bulgaria, Austria, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Izmir, Italy, Denmark, USA, Chile, France, Sweden and Switzerland ...
First Games
It is a secret to few that the first Olympic Games were held in Greece as early as 776 BC. The small village of Olympia was chosen as the venue for the competition. At that time, the competitions were held in only one discipline, which was running at a distance of 189 meters. An interesting feature that distinguished the first Olympic Games in Greece was that only men could take part in them. At the same time, they competed without shoes or any clothes on themselves. Among other things, only one woman, whose name was Demeter, received the right to observe the course of the competition.
History of the Olympics
The first Olympic Games were a great success, so the tradition of holding them was preserved for another 1168 years. Already at that time, it was decided to hold such competitions every four years. Confirmation of their great authority is the fact that at the time of the competition between the states that were in a state of war, a temporary peace treaty was always concluded. Each new Olympiad has received many changes from what the first Olympic Games were. First of all, we are talking about adding disciplines. At first it was running for other distances, and then long jumping, fist running, pentathlon, discus throwing, javelin, dart throw and many others were added to it. The winners were so respected that monuments were even erected to them on the territory of Greece. There were also difficulties. The most serious of these was the ban on the Games by the Emperor Theodosius the First in 394 AD. The fact is that he considered this kind of competition to be pagan entertainment. And 128 years later, a very strong earthquake happened in Greece, because of which the Games were forgotten for a long time.
Revival
In the middle of the eighteenth century, the first attempts were made to revive the Olympics. They began to be embodied in reality after about a hundred years thanks to the French scientist Pierre de Coubertin. With the help of his compatriot, the archaeologist Ernst Curtius, he, in fact, wrote new rules for holding such competitions. The first Olympic Games of our time began on April 6, 1896 in the Greek capital. Representatives of 13 countries from all over the world took part in them. Russia, due to financial problems, did not send its athletes. The competitions were held in nine disciplines, among which were the following: gymnastics, bullet shooting, athletics and weightlifting, wrestling, fencing, tennis, swimming and cycling. The public interest in the Games was colossal, a vivid confirmation of which is the presence of more than 90 thousand spectators, according to official data. In 1924, it was decided to divide the Olympics into winter and summer.
Failed competitions
It happened that the competition was not held, despite the fact that it was planned. We are talking about the Berlin Games in 1916, the Olympics in Helsinki in 1940, as well as the London competitions in 1944. The reason for this is the same - in the world wars. Now all Russians are looking forward to the first Olympic Games, which will be held in Russia. This will happen in Sochi in 2014.
OLYMPIC GAMES(Summer Olympic Games, Olympics), the largest international complex sports competitions of our time. The principles, rules and regulations of the Olympic Games are defined The Olympic Charter... At the suggestion of P. de Coubertin the decision to organize the Olympic Games in the image of the ancient ones and to create International Olympic Committee(IOC) was adopted by the International Sports Congress in Paris in 1894. The Olympic Games are held in the first year of the Olympiad. The Olympiads have been counted since 1896, when the first Olympic Games took place. The Olympiad also gets its number in those cases when the games are not held (for example, the VI Olympiad in 1916, XII in 1940, XIII in 1944). In addition to Olympic sports, the organizing committee of the Olympic Games (created by the NOC of the country where the next Olympic Games will be held) has the right, at its choice, to include in the program demonstration competitions in 1–2 sports not recognized by the IOC. Dates of the Olympic Games from 1932 no more than 15 days. The Olympic Games in Paris (1900) and St. Louis (1904) were timed to coincide with World exhibitions .
The Olympic movement has its own symbol, emblem and flag, approved by the IOC in 1914 at the suggestion of Coubertin in 1913. The Olympic symbol - 5 intertwined rings of blue, black, red (top row), yellow and green (bottom row) colors, which symbolize 5 united in Olympic movement of the parts of the world (respectively - Europe, Africa, America, Asia, Australia). The flag is a white cloth with Olympic rings, since 1920 it has been raised at all Olympic Games. Also in 1913, the motto was approved - Citius, Altius, Fortius (faster, higher, stronger), proposed by A. Didon, a friend and colleague of Coubertin, and became part of the Olympic emblem. The Olympic symbol and motto have made up the official Olympic emblem (since 1920). The high prestige of the competitions is evidenced by the list of statesmen and crowned persons who opened them: Athens, 1896 - George I (King of Greece); Paris, 1900 - there was no opening ceremony; St. Louis, 1904 - David Francis (President of the World's Fair) London, 1908 - Edward VII (King of Great Britain and Ireland); Stockholm, 1912 - Gustav V (King of Sweden); Antwerp, 1920 - Albert I (King of Belgium); Paris, 1924 - Gaston Doumergue (President of France); Amsterdam, 1928 - Heinrich of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (Prince Hendrik of the Netherlands); Los Angeles, 1932 - Charles Curtis (US Vice President); Berlin, 1936 - Adolf Hitler (Reich Chancellor of Germany); London, 1948 - George VI (King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland); Helsinki, 1952 - Juho Kusti Paasikivi (President of Finland); Melbourne, 1956 (equestrian competitions held in Stockholm) - Philip Mountbatten (Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh - Prince Consort of Great Britain) and Gustav VI Adolf (King of Sweden); Rome, 1960 - Giovanni Gronchi (President of Italy); Tokyo, 1964 - Hirohito (Emperor of Japan); Mexico City, 1968 - Gustavo Diaz Ordaz (President of Mexico); Munich, 1972 - Gustav Heinemann (Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany); Montreal, 1976 - Elizabeth II (Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland); Moscow, 1980 - Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev (Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR); Los Angeles, 1984 - Ronald Reagan (US President); Seoul, 1988 - Ro Dae Woo (President of the Republic of Korea); Barcelona, 1992 - Juan Carlos I (King of Spain); Atlanta, 1996 - William (Bill) Jefferson Clinton (US President); Sydney, 2000 - William Patrick Dean (Governor General of Australia); Athens, 2004 - Constantinos Stephanopoulos (President of Greece); Beijing, 2008 - Hu Jintao (General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee) London, 2012 - Elizabeth II (Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland); Rio de Janeiro, 2016 - Michel Temer (Vice President of Brazil). The only woman to open the Olympic Games - Queen Elizabeth II; She is, as of 1.1.2020, the only statesman in the entire history of the Olympic Games to open them twice (Melbourne, 1956; London, 2012).
Traditional Olympic rituals: 1) lighting the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony (first lit by the sun in Olympia in 1936 and delivered by torch relay to Berlin - the organizer of the Olympic Games); 2) Taking the Olympic oaths. Olympic oath of athletes (the text was written in 1913 by Coubertin, first pronounced in Antwerp in 1920 by the Belgian fencer V. Bois): “On behalf of all athletes, I promise that we will participate in these Games, respecting and observing the rules by which they are held, in a truly sporting spirit, for the glory of sport and for the honor of their teams. " Olympic oath of judges (included in the opening ceremony at the suggestion of the USSR Olympic Committee and held since the Olympic Games in Mexico City, 1968): “On behalf of all judges and officials, I promise that we will perform our duties at these Olympic Games with complete impartiality, respecting and observing the rules by which they are conducted, in a truly sporting spirit. " At the Olympic Games in London (2012), the Olympic oath of coaches was first pronounced: “On behalf of all coaches and other people around athletes, I promise that we will behave in such a way as to maintain an athletic spirit and fair play, in accordance with the basic principles of the Olympic movement ". 3) Presentation of medals to the winners and prize-winners of the competition. For the 1st place, the athlete is awarded a gold medal, for the 2nd place - a silver one, for the 3rd– bronze. In the case when two athletes (teams) are tied for 1–2 places, both are awarded a gold medal; if the participants share 2-3rd or 2-4th places, everyone will be awarded silver medals, and bronze ones will not be awarded. In boxing competitions, two athletes who lose in the semi-finals receive bronze medals. In 1928, the IOC approved the image on the front side of the medal of the ancient Greek goddess Nike with a laurel wreath in her hand, on the back side - a sport, the emblem of the Games, and other symbols; 4) raising the national flag and singing the national anthem in honor of the winners. According to the charter, the Olympic Games are competitions between individual athletes and not between national teams. However, it became widespread, etc. unofficial team standings - determining the place occupied by teams by the number of points received (points are awarded for the first 6 places according to the system: 1st place - 7 points, 2nd - 5 points, 3rd - 4 points, 4th - 3 points, 5th - 2 points, 6th - 1 point). Traditionally, a table of medals is kept by country with the priority of medals of the highest dignity. An athlete (or team) who wins a gold medal at the Olympic Games or at the Olympic Winter Games is awarded the title of Olympic Champion. This title is not used with the prefix ex, as, for example, the ex-world champion. The largest number of medals in the history of the Summer Olympic Games (as of 1.1.2020) was won by athletes from national teams: USA (27 entries; 1,022 gold, 794 silver, 704 bronze); Russia; Germany; Great Britain (28; 263, 295, 289); China (10; 227, 164, 152); France (28; 212, 241, 260).
The Olympic Movement (as of 1.1.2016) involves 206 countries (including geographic regions), whose National Olympic Committees are recognized by the IOC. In the period 1896–2016, 31 Olympic Games were held (three of them did not take place due to the world wars); 4 were held in the USA; 3 - in the UK; 1 each - in Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Canada, USSR, Republic of Korea, Spain, China, Brazil. According to the Olympic Charter, the honor of hosting the Olympic Games is given to a city, not a country (or territory). The decision on the election of the Olympic city (the capital of the Olympic Games) is made by the IOC no later than 6 years before the start of these Games at the IOC session. The application of the candidate city must be approved by the NOC of that country. The city that has nominated itself is obliged to provide the IOC with written guarantees confirmed by the government and make a certain financial contribution (returned to non-elected cities). Since 1932, the host city of the Olympic Games has been building olympic village- a complex of living quarters for the participants of the games. Among the various commitments, the Olympic city has submitted to the IOC a program for the Olympic Games and, since 1968, a national cultural program. The tradition of combining physical and artistic culture dates back to the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece, where sports competitions were accompanied by competitions in various forms of art. The forerunners of the modern cultural program were art contests (1906–52) and exhibitions of fine arts (1956–64). At the Olympic Games in 1968-72, the cultural program was international in nature, since 1976, according to the Olympic Charter, it is national and covers all types of art, literature, photography, sports philately, etc. More often than other cities in the world, London was chosen as the capital of the Summer Olympic Games. (3 times), Athens, Paris, Los Angeles (2 times).
In 1980, the capital of the Games of the XXII Olympiad was Moscow; elected during the 75th session of the IOC on 10/23/1974 in Vienna. The main stadium of the Moscow Olympics was the Central Stadium. VI Lenin (approx. 100 thousand seats, the modern name "Luzhniki"), where the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games, athletics competitions, the final match of the football tournament took place; a number of competitions were held in the Leningradsky Prospekt area of Moscow - at the Dynamo and Young Pioneers stadiums and at the CSKA sports complex. Especially for the Olympic Games, the following were erected: the Olympic sports complex on Prospekt Mira, which includes a multi-purpose indoor stadium (about 35 thousand seats; 22 disciplines of the Olympic program) and a swimming pool; Cycling track "Krylatskoye" (with two stands for 3 thousand seats), near which there is a circular cycle track and an archery field (here in 1972-73 the rowing channel "Krylatskoye" was built for the European Rowing Championship; stands - approx . 2.5 thousand places); equestrian center "Bitsa" (tribune for 5 thousand seats); sports palaces "Izmailovo" (temporary collapsible tribune - up to 4 thousand seats; weightlifting competitions) and "Sokolniki" (about 7 thousand seats; games of a handball tournament); shooting range "Dynamo" (about 3 thousand places) in the Moscow region of Mytishchi; Olimpic village. Over 5 thousand athletes from 80 countries competed for 203 sets of medals in 21 sports. Athletes of the USSR national team won the largest number of medals in the history of the Olympic Games - 195 (including 80 gold, 69 silver and 46 bronze). Some competitions for the permission of the IOC were held in other cities. Group football tournaments and quarterfinals took place in Kiev, Leningrad and Minsk; sailing regatta took place in Tallinn. (Similar exceptions were allowed before. For example, in 1956, due to the quarantine and the ban on the import of horses into Australia, equestrian competitions were held even in another country - in Sweden, in Stockholm.) For political reasons, the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow were boycotted by a number of countries. refused to participate. Four years later, the NOC of the USSR and a number of other socialist countries boycotted the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. In 1906, Athens (22.4–2.5) hosted the extraordinary Olympic Games with the participation of 903 athletes from 20 countries. These competitions have not received official IOC recognition.
In order to comply with the Olympic ideals and noble principles of competition at the Olympic Games and Olympic Winter Games in 1968, the IOC and international sports federations established a doping control procedure, which is carried out by special anti-doping commissions. Since 1976, Olympic medalists undergo special doping tests; in case an athlete is caught in taking doping he will be disqualified and forfeited awards. To fight against doping on 10.11.1999, with the support of the IOC, World Anti-Doping Agency(WADA). In recent years, regardless of the statute of limitations, WADA laboratories have rechecked the analyzes of athletes submitted during the previous Olympic Games (Beijing, 2008; London, 2012), which often leads to revision of individual results, disqualification of prize-winners and changes in the results in the unofficial team medal standings (see the table in the article World Anti-Doping Agency)... Before the start of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (2016), on the initiative of WADA, for various reasons, many Russian athletes were barred from participating in the competition, including all track and field athletes (with the exception of the long jumper D.I.Klishina) and weightlifters , most of the swimmers and rowers, tennis player M. Yu. Sharapova. As a result, the composition of the Russian national team was reduced by almost 50%.
In 6 types of the Olympic program (cycling, athletics, swimming, shooting, archery, weightlifting), Olympic records are recorded regardless of the stage of the competition (preliminary, qualifying or final) they were set. If the result exceeds the world record, then it is considered both a world and an Olympic record.
Since 1968, the organizers of the Olympic Games have used the Olympic mascot for promotional and commercial purposes.
For awarding especially distinguished athletes, figures of the Olympic movement and major statesmen in the mid-1970s. the Olympic Order was established (had three degrees) - Gold, Silver and Bronze (now only the first two). The first to be awarded the Golden Olympic Order was the former IOC President E. Brandage. Olympic orders are not awarded to active members of the IOC.
For the dates and main results of the Summer Olympic Games, see Table 1. For the athletes who won the most Olympic medals at the Olympic Games, see Table 2. For the athletes who took part in 6 or more Olympics, see Table 3.
Table 1. The main results of the Summer Olympic Games (Athens, 1896 - Rio de Janeiro, 2016).
| Official name. Capital, dates. The main stadium. Mascots of games (since 1968) | Number of countries; athletes (including women); sets of medals played in sports | Most Successful Athletes (medals gold, silver, bronze) | Countries with the most medals (gold, silver, bronze) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games of the I Olympiad. Athens, 6.4–15.4. 1896. Panathinaikos (80 thousand seats) | fourteen; 241 (0); 43 in 9 | K. Schumann (4, 0, 0), H. Weingartner (3, 2, 1) and A. Flatov (3, 1, 0; all of Germany); R. Garrett (USA; 2, 2, 0); F. Hofmann (Germany; 2, 1, 1) | USA (11, 7, 2); Greece (10, 17, 19); Germany (6, 5, 2); France (5, 4, 2); UK (2, 3, 2) |
| Games of the II Olympiad. Paris, 14.5-28.10. 1900. Velodrome in the Bois de Vincennes, Racing Club and others. | 24; 997 (22); 95 to 20 | A. Krenzlein (USA; 4, 0, 0); K. Shteeli (Switzerland; 3, 0, 1); R. Urey (3, 0, 0), I. Baxter (2, 3, 0) and W. Tewkesbury (2, 2, 1; all USA) | France (26, 41, 34); USA (19, 14, 14); UK (15, 6, 9); Switzerland (6, 2, 1); Belgium (5, 5, 5) |
| Games of the III Olympiad. Saint Louis, 1.7-23.11. 1904. Francis Field (19 thousand seats) | 12; 651 (6); 94 to 16 | A. Heida (5, 1, 0), M. Hurley (4, 0, 1), J. Eiser (3, 2, 1), C. Daniels (3, 1, 1) and J. Lightbody (3, 1, 0; all US); R. Fonst (Cuba; 3, 0, 0) | USA (78, 82, 79); Germany (4, 4, 5); Cuba (4, 2, 3); Canada (4, 1, 1); Hungary (2, 1, 1) |
| Games of the IV Olympiad. London, 27.4–31.10. 1908. "White City" ("White City"; over 70 thousand seats) | 22; 2008 (37); 110 to 22 | G. Taylor (Great Britain; 3, 0, 0); M. Sheppard (USA; 3, 0, 0) | UK (56, 51, 39); USA (23, 12, 12); Sweden (8, 6, 11); France (5, 5, 9); Germany (3, 5, 5) |
| Games of the V Olympiad. Stockholm, 5.5–22.7.1912. Olympic Stadium (14.4 thousand seats) | 28; 2408 (48); 102 in 14 | V. Karlberg (Sweden; 3, 2, 0); J. Kolekhmainen (Finland; 3, 1, 0); A. Lane (USA; 3, 0, 0); E. Karlberg (2, 2, 0) and J. H. von Holst (2, 1, 1; both Sweden) | USA (25, 19, 19); Sweden (24, 24, 17); UK (10, 15, 16); Finland (9, 8, 9); France (7, 4, 3) |
| Games of the VII Olympiad. Antwerp, 20.4–12.9. 1920. Olympic Stadium (approx. 13 thousand seats) | 29; 2626 (65); 156 to 22 | W. Lee (USA; 5, 1, 1); N. Nadi (Italy; 5, 0, 0); L. Spooner (USA; 4, 1, 2); X. van Innis (Belgium; 4, 2, 0); K. Osborne (USA; 4, 1, 1) | USA (41, 27, 27); Sweden (19, 20, 25); UK (15, 15, 13); Finland (15, 10, 9); Belgium (14, 11, 11) |
| Games of the VIII Olympiad. Paris, 4.5–27.7. 1924. "Olympique de Colombes" (60 thousand seats) | 44; 3088 (135); 126 to 17 | P. Nurmi (5, 0, 0) and V. Ritola (4, 2, 0; both Finland); R. Ducre (France; 3, 2, 0); J. Weissmuller (USA; 3, 0, 1) | USA (45, 27, 27); Finland (14, 13, 10); France (13, 15, 10); UK (9, 13, 12); Italy (8, 3, 5) |
| Games of the IX Olympiad. Amsterdam, 17.5-12.8. 1928. "Olympic Stadium" (over 31 thousand seats) | 46; 2883 (277); 109 to 14 | J. Mies (3, 1, 0) and X. Hengi (2, 1, 1; both Switzerland); L. Gaudin (France; 2, 1, 0); E. Mack (Switzerland; 2, 0, 1) | USA (22, 18, 16); Germany (10, 7, 14); Finland (8, 8, 9); Sweden (7, 6, 12); Italy (7, 5, 7) |
| Games of the X Olympiad. Los Angeles, 7.30-14.8. 1932. "Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum" ("Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum"; St. 93 thousand seats) | 37; 1332 (126); 117 to 14 | E. Madison (USA; 3, 0, 0); R. Neri (3, 0, 0) and G. Gaudini (0, 3, 1; both Italy); H. Savolainen (Finland; 0, 1, 3) | USA (41, 32, 30); Italy (12, 12, 12); France (10, 5, 4); Sweden (9, 5, 9); Japan (7, 7, 4) |
| Games of the XI Olympiad. Berlin, 1.8–16.8. 1936. "Olympiastadion" ("Olympiastadion"; 100 thousand seats) | 49; 3963 (331); 129 to 19 | J. Owens (USA; 4, 0, 0); K. Frey (3, 1, 2) and A. Schwartzman (3, 0, 2; both Germany); H. Mastenbroek (Netherlands; 3, 1, 0); R. Charpentier (France; 3, 0, 0); E. Mack (Switzerland; 0, 4, 1) | Germany (33, 26, 30); USA (24, 20, 12); Hungary (10, 1, 5); Italy (8, 9, 5); Finland (7, 6, 6); France (7, 6, 6) |
| Games of the XIV Olympiad. London, 29.7-14.8. 1948. Wembley (over 120 thousand seats) | 59; 4104 (390); 136 to 17 | F. Blankers-Kuhn (Netherlands; 4, 0, 0); V. Huhtanen (3, 1, 1) and P. Aaltonen (3, 0, 1; both Finland) | USA (38, 27, 19); Sweden (16, 11, 17); France (10, 6, 13); Hungary (10, 5, 12); Italy (8, 11, 8) |
| Games of the XV Olympiad. Helsinki, 19.7–3.8. 1952. Olympic Stadium (40 thousand seats) | 69; 4955 (519); 149 to 17 | V.I. Chukarin (USSR; 4, 2, 0); E. Zatopek (Czechoslovakia; 3, 0, 0); M. K. Gorokhovskaya (2, 5, 0) and N. A. Bocharova (2, 2, 0; both USSR); E. Mangiarotti (Italy; 2, 2, 0) | USA (40, 19, 17); USSR (22, 30, 19); Hungary (16, 10, 16); Sweden (12, 13, 10); Italy (8, 9, 4) |
| Games of the XVI Olympiad. Melbourne, 22.11–8.12. 1956. Melbourne Cricket Ground (100,000 seats) | 72; 3314 (376); 145 to 17 | A. Keleti (Hungary; 4, 2, 0); L. S. Latynina (4, 1, 1), V. I. Chukarin (3, 1, 1) and V. I. Muratov (3, 1, 0; all USSR) | USSR (37, 29, 32); USA (32, 25, 17); Australia (13, 8, 14); Hungary (9, 10, 7); Italy (8, 8, 9) |
| Games of the XVII Olympiad. Rome, 25.8-11.9.1960. Olympic stadium (approx. 73 thousand seats) | 83; 5338 (611); 150 to 17 | B. A. Shakhlin (4,2, 1) and L. S. Latynina (3, 2, 1; both USSR); T. Ono (Japan; 3, 1, 2); K. von Salz (USA; 3, 1, 0); V. Rudolph (USA; 3, 0, 0) | USSR (43, 29, 31); USA (34, 21, 16); Italy (13, 10, 13); OGK * (12, 19, 11); Australia (8, 8, 6) |
| Games of the XVIII Olympiad. Tokyo, 10.10–24.10. 1964. National Olympic Stadium (48 thousand seats) | 93; 5151 (678); 163 to 19 | D. Schollender (USA; 4, 0, 0); V. Chaslavska (Czechoslovakia; 3, 1, 0); Yu Endo (Japan; 3, 1, 0); S. Stauder (3, 1, 0) and S. Clarke (3, 0, 0; both USA); L. S. Latynina (USSR; 2, 2, 2) | USA (36, 26, 28); USSR (30, 31, 35); Japan (16, 5, 8); OGK * (10, 22, 18); Italy (10, 10, 7) |
| Games of the XIX Olympiad. Mexico City, 12.10-27.10. 1968. "Olimpico Universitario" ("Olímpico Universitario" over 63 thousand seats). Red jaguar | 112; 5516 (781); 172 to 18 | V. Chaslavska (Czechoslovakia; 4, 2, 0); A. Nakayama (Japan; 4, 1, 1); C. Hickox (USA; 3, 1.0); S. Kato (Japan; 3, 0, 1); D. Meyer (USA; 3, 0, 0); M. Ya. Voronin (USSR; 2, 4, 1) | USA (45, 28, 34); USSR (29, 32, 30); Japan (11, 7, 7); Hungary (10, 10, 12); East Germany (9, 9, 7) |
| Games of the XX Olympiad. Munich, 26.8–10.9. 1972. "Olympiastadion" (over 69 thousand places). Dachshund Waldi | 121; 7134 (1059); 195 to 21 | M. Spitz (USA; 7, 0, 0); S. Kato (Japan; 3, 2, 0); S. Gould (Austria; 3, 1, 1); O. V. Korbut (USSR; 3, 1, 0); M. Belote and S. Nilson (both USA; 3, 0, 0 each); K. Janz (GDR; 2, 2, 1) | USSR (50, 27, 22); USA (33, 31, 30); East Germany (20, 23, 23); Germany (13, 11, 16); Japan (13, 8, 8) |
| Games of the XXI Olympiad. Montreal, 17.7-1.8. 1976. Olympic stadium (about 66 thousand seats). Beaver Amik | 92; 6048 (1260); 198 to 21 | N.E. Andrianov (USSR; 4, 2, 1); K. Ender (GDR; 4, 1, 0); J. Neuber (USA; 4, 1, 0); N. Comenec (Romania; 3, 1, 1); N. V. Kim (USSR; 3, 1, 0); M. Tsukahara (Japan; 2, 1,2) | USSR (49, 41, 35); East Germany (40, 25, 25); USA (34; 35, 25); Germany (10, 12, 17); Japan (9, 6, 10) |
| Games of the XXII Olympiad. Moscow, 19.7–3.8. 1980. Stadium. Lenin (modern name. "Luzhniki"; approx. 100 thousand places). Bear Misha | 80; 5179 (1115); 203 to 21 | A. N. Dityatin (USSR; 3, 4, 1); K. Metchuk (3, 1, 0), B. Krause and R. Rainisch (3, 0, 0 each; all GDR); V.V. Parfenovich and V.V. Salnikov (both USSR; 3.0.0 each); N. Comenec (Romania; 2, 2, 0) | USSR (80, 69, 46); East Germany (47, 37, 42); Bulgaria (8, 16, 17); Cuba (8, 7, 5); Italy (8, 3, 4) |
| Games of the XXIII Olympiad. Los Angeles, 28.7-12.8. 1984. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (over 93 thousand seats). Eaglet Sam | 140; 6829 (1566); 221 to 23 | E. Sabo (Romania; 4, 1, 0); K. Lewis (USA; 4, 0, 0); Li Ning (China; 3, 2, 1); M. Heath and N. Hogshed (both US; 3, 1.0 each) | USA (83, 60, 30); Romania (20, 16, 17); Germany (17, 19, 23); China (15, 8, 9); Italy (14, 6, 12) |
| Games of the XXIV Olympiad. Seoul, 17.9–2.10.1988. Olympic Stadium (approx. 70 thousand seats). Tiger Hodori | 159; 8391 (2194); 237 to 23 | K. Otto (GDR; 6, 0, 0); M. Biondi (USA; 5, 1, 1); V. N. Artyomov (USSR; 4, 1, 0); D. Silivash (Romania; 3, 2, 1); F. Griffith-Joyner (USA; 3, 1, 0); D. V. Bilozerchev (USSR; 3, 0, 1); J. Evans (USA; 3, 0, 0) | USSR (55, 31, 46); East Germany (37, 35, 30); USA (36, 31, 27); Republic of Korea (12, 10, 11); Germany (11, 14, 15) |
| Games of the XXV Olympiad. Barcelona, 25.7-9.8.1992. Olimpico de Montjuic ("Olímpico de Montjuїc"; approx. 56 thousand seats). Kobe the dog | 169; 9356 (2704); 257 to 32 | V.V.Scherbo (OK **; 6, 0, 0); K. Egerszegi (Hungary; 3, 0, 0); E. V. Sadovy (OK **; 3, 0, 0); N. Hayslett (USA; 3, 0, 0); A.V. Popov (OK **; 2, 2, 0) | OK ** (45, 38, 29); USA (37, 34, 37); Germany (33, 21, 28); China (16, 22, 16); Cuba (14, 6, 11) |
| Games of the XXVI Olympiad. Atlanta, 19.7–4.8. 1996. Centennial Olympic (85 thousand seats). Izzy Computer Character | 197; 10320 (3523); 271 to 26 | E. Van Dyken (USA; 4, 0, 0); M. Smith (Ireland; 3, 0, 1); A. Yu. Nemov (2, 1, 3) and A. V. Popov (2, 2, 0; both Russia); G. Hall (USA; 2, 2, 0) | USA (44, 32, 25); Russia (26, 21, 16); Germany (20, 18, 27); China (16, 22, 12); France (15, 7, 15) |
| Games of the XXVII Olympiad. Sydney, 15.9-1.10. 2000. Ostreilia (83.5 thousand seats). Kookabara Ollie, Sid the platypus, Milli the echidna | 199; 10651 (4069); 300 to 28 | L. van Morsel (Netherlands; 3, 1, 0); I. Thorp (Australia; 3, 2, 0); I. de Bruin (Netherlands; 3, 1, 0); M. Jones (3, 0, 1) and L. Kreiselburg (3, 0, 0; both USA); A. Yu. Nemov (Russia; 2, 1, 3) | USA (37, 24, 33); Russia (32, 28, 29); China (28, 16, 14); Australia (16, 25, 17); Germany (13, 17, 26) |
| Games of the XXVIII Olympiad. Athens, 13.8–29.8. 2004. Olympic Stadium (approx. 70 thousand seats). Antique dolls Phoebus and Athena | 201; 10625 (4329); 301 to 28 | M. Phelps (USA; 6, 0, 2); P. Thomas (Australia; 3, 1.0); K. Ponor (Romania; 3, 0, 0); A. Pearsol (USA; 3, 0, 0); V. Campbell (Jamaica; 2, 0, 1); I. Thorp (Australia; 2, 1, 1); I. de Bruin (Netherlands; 1,1,2) | USA (35, 40, 26); China (32; 17, 14); Russia (28, 26, 37); Australia (17, 16, 17); Japan (16, 9, 12) |
| Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Beijing, 8.8-24.8. 2008. National Stadium (91 thousand seats). Children of Fortune: Bei-Bei, Ching-Ching, Huan-Huan, Ying-Ying and Ni-Ni | 204; 10942 (4637); 302 to 28 | M. Phelps (USA; 8, 0, 0); W. Bolt (Jamaica; 3, 0, 0); K. Hoy (Great Britain; 3, 0, 0); Tso Kai (China; 3, 0, 0); S. Rice (Australia; 3, 0, 0) | China (51, 21, 28); USA (36, 38, 36); Russia (22, 18, 26); UK (19, 13, 15); Germany (16, 10, 15) |
| Games of the XXX Olympiad. London, 27.7-12.8. 2012. Olympic Stadium (80 thousand seats). Two drops of steel - Wenlock and Mandeville | 204; 10768 (4776); 302 to 26 | M. Phelps (4, 2, 0); M. Franklin (4, 0, 1), E. Schmitt (3, 1, 1) and D. Volmer (3, 0, 0; all USA); W. Bolt (Jamaica; 3, 0, 0) | USA (46, 29, 29); China (38, 27, 23); UK (29, 17, 19); Russia (24, 26, 32); Republic of Korea (13, 8, 7) |
| Games of the XXXI Olympiad. Rio de Janeiro, 5.8.-21.8.2016. "Maracana" (78.8 thousand seats). Flora and Fauna of Brazil - Vinicius and Tom | 207; 11303 (c. 4700); 306 to 28 | M. Phelps (5,1,0); S. Biles (4,1,0); K. Ledecky (4,1,0; all USA); W. Bolt (Jamaica), J. Kenny (Great Britain), D. Kozak (Hungary) (all 3.0.0). | USA (48,37,38); UK (27, 23,17); China (26, 18, 26); Russia (19,18,19); Germany (17,10,15). |
* United German team.
** Joint team of the countries of the former USSR.
Table 2. Athletes with the most victories at the Olympic Games (Athens, 1896 - Rio de Janeiro, 2016).
| Athlete, country | Kind of sport, years of participation | Medals | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| gold | silver | bronze | ||
| M. Phelps, USA | Swimming, 2004–2016 | 23 | 3 | 2 |
| L. S. Latynina, the USSR | Gymnastics, 1956–1964 | 9 | 5 | 4 |
| P. Nurmi, Finland | Athletics, 1920–1928 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| M. Spitz, USA | Swimming, 1968–1972 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| K. Lewis, USA | Athletics, 1984–1996 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| W. Bolt, Jamaica | Athletics, 2004–2016 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| B. Fischer, Germany | Rowing and canoeing, 1980–2004 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| S. Kato, Japan | Gymnastics, 1968–1976 | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| J. Thompson, USA | Swimming, 1992–2004 | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| M. Biondi, USA | Swimming, 1984–1992 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
| R. Yuri, USA | Athletics, 1900–1908 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| N.E. Andrianov, USSR | Gymnastics, 1972–1980 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| B. A. Shakhlin, the USSR | Gymnastics, 1956–1964 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
| V. Chaslavska, Czechoslovakia | Gymnastics, 1960–1968 | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| V. I. Chukarin, the USSR | Gymnastics, 1952–1956 | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| A. Gerevich, Hungary | Fencing, 1932–1960 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
| E. Manjarotti, Italy | Fencing, 1936–1960 | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| I. Vert, Germany | Horseback Riding, 1992–2016 | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| R. Lochte, USA | Swimming, 2004–2016 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| E. Felix, USA | Athletics, 2004–2016 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| H. van Innis, Belgium | Archery, 1900–1920 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| A. Nakayama, Japan | Gymnastics, 1968–1972 | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| V. Vezzali, Italy | Fencing, 1996–2012 | 6 | 1 | 2 |
| G. Fredriksson, Sweden | Rowing and canoeing, 1948–1960 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| K. Hoy, United Kingdom | Cycling, 2000–2012 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| V. V. Shcherbo, Byelorussia | Gymnastics, 1992–1996 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| R. Klimke, Germany | Horseback Riding, 1964–1988 | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| P. Kovacs, Hungary | Fencing, 1936–1960 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| E. Van Dyken, USA | Swimming, 1996–2000 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| R. Karpati, Hungary | Fencing, 1948–1960 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| N. Nadi, Italy | Fencing, 1912–1920 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| K. Otto, GDR | Swimming, 1988 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| T. Ono, Japan | Gymnastics, 1952–1964 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| K. Osbern, USA | Shooting sport, 1912–1924 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| A. Keleti, Hungary | Gymnastics, 1952–1956 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| G. Hall Jr., USA | Swimming, 1996–2004 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| N. Comaneci, Romania | Gymnastics, 1976–1980 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| I. Thorp, Australia | Swimming, 2000–2004 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| V. Ritola, Finland | Athletics, 1924–1928 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| P. G. Astakhova, the USSR | Gymnastics, 1956–1964 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| E. Lipet, Romania | Rowing, 1984–2000 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| A. Pirsol, USA | Swimming, 2000–2008 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Yu Endo, Japan | Gymnastics, 1960–1968 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| M. Tsukahara, Japan | 5 | 1 | 3 | |
| N. Adrian, USA | Swimming, 2008–2016 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| B. Wiggins, UK | Cycling, 2000–2016 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| H. G. Winkler, Germany | Horseback Riding, 1956–1976 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| T. Jaeger, USA | Swimming, 1984–1992 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| W. Lee, USA | Shooting sport, 1920 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| K. Egerszegi, Hungary | Swimming, 1988–1996 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Wu Mingxia, China | Diving, 2004–2016 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| N. V. Kim, the USSR | Gymnastics, 1976–1980 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| O. Lillo-Olsen, Norway | Shooting sport, 1920–1924 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| A. Heida, USA | Gymnastics, 1904 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| D. Schollander, USA | Swimming, 1964–1968 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| K. Ledecky, USA | Swimming, 2012–2016 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| M. Franklin, USA | Swimming, 2012–2016 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| J. Weissmuller, USA | Swimming, water polo, 1924–1928 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| J. Damian, Romania | Rowing, 2000–2008 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| A. Lane, USA | Shooting sport, 1912–1920 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| S. Redgrave, UK | Rowing, 1984–2000 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Ts. Kai, China | Gymnastics, 2004–2012 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| M. Fisher, USA | Shooting sport, 1920–1924 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Ch. Zholin, China | Diving, 2008–2016 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| N. S. Ishchenko, Russia | Synchronized swimming, 2008–2016 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| S. A. Romashina, Russia | Synchronized swimming, 2008–2016 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| A. S. Davydova, Russia | Synchronized swimming, 2004–2012 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| A. V. Popov, Russia | Swimming, 1992–2000 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| D. Torres, USA | Swimming, 1984–2008 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| D. Fraser, Australia | Swimming, 1956–1964 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| K. Ender, GDR | Swimming, 1972–1976 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| L. I. Turishcheva, USSR | Artistic gymnastics, 1968-1976 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| J. Mie, Switzerland | Gymnastics, 1924–1936 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| O. Olsen, Norway | Shooting sport, 1920–1924 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| I. Patsaykin, Romania | Rowing and canoeing, 1968–1984 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| A. Yu. Nemov, Russia | Gymnastics, 1996–2000 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| I. de Bruin, Netherlands | Swimming, 2000–2004 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| E. Schmitt, USA | Swimming, 2008–2016 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| J. Lezak, USA | Swimming, 2000–2012 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| R. Mattes, GDR | Swimming, 1968–1976 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| E. Lieberg, Norway | Shooting sport, 1908–1924 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| L. Gaudin, France | Fencing, 1920–1928 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Guo Jingjing, China | Diving, 2000–2008 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| J. Delfino, Italy | Fencing, 1952–1964 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| K. d'Oriola, France | Fencing, 1948–1956 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| O. V. Korbut, the USSR | Gymnastics, 1972–1976 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| J. Trillini, Italy | Fencing, 1992–2008 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| C. Daniels, USA | Swimming, 1904–1908 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| K. Kitajima, Japan | Swimming, 2004–2012 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| L. Spooner, USA | Shooting sport, 1920 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| L. Trickett, Australia | Swimming, 2004–2012 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| D. Ignat, Romania | Rowing, 1992–2008 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Kim Soo Nyeong, The Republic of Korea | Archery, 1988–2000 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| L. van Morsel, Netherlands | Cycling, 2000–2004 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| E. D. Belova, the USSR | Fencing, 1968–1976 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| M. Rose, Australia | Swimming, 1956–1960 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| V. A. Sidyak, the USSR | Fencing, 1968–1980 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| V. N. Artyomov, the USSR | Gymnastics, 1988 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Wang Nan, China | Table tennis, 2000–2008 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Ya.A. Klochkova, Ukraine | Swimming, 2000–2004 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| J. H. Kolekhmainen, Finland | Athletics, 1912–1920 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| G. Luganis, USA | Diving, 1976–1988 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| V. I. Muratov, the USSR | Gymnastics, 1952–1956 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| J. Neuber, USA | Swimming, 1976 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| E. Zatopek, Czechoslovakia | Athletics, 1948–1952 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| S. Paju de Mortange, Netherlands | Horseback Riding, 1924–1936 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| E. Sabo, Romania | Gymnastics, 1984 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| I. Ferguson, New Zealand | Rowing and canoeing, 1984–1988 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| R. Fonst, Cuba | Fencing, 1900–1904 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Fu Mingxia China | Diving, 1992–2000 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| M. Sheppard, USA | Athletics, 1908–1912 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| J. Evans, USA | Swimming, 1988–1992 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| C. B. Ainsley, UK | Sailing, 1996–2012 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| W. Williams, USA | Tennis, 2000–2016 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| E. Ashford, USA | Athletics, 1984–1992 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| D. Kulchar, Hungary | Fencing, 1964–1976 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| K. Boron, Germany | Rowing, 1992–2008 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| K. Wagner-Augustin, Germany | Rowing and canoeing, 2000–2012 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| J. Zampori, Italy | Gymnastics, 1912–1924 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Li Xiaopeng, China | Gymnastics, 2000–2008 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| J. Olsen, USA | Swimming, 1992–1996 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| S. A. Pozdnyakov, Russia | Fencing, 1992–2004 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| S. Richards-Ross, USA | Athletics, 2004–2012 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| V. Susanu, Romania | Rowing, 2000–2008 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| M. Harley, USA | Cycling, 1904 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| T. Edwards, USA | Basketball, 1984–2000 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| L. Berbaum, Germany | Horseback Riding, 1988–2000 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| F. Blankers-Kuhn, Netherlands | Athletics, 1948 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| B. Wöckel, GDR | Athletics, 1976–1980 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| L. Viren, Finland | Athletics, 1972–1976 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| T. Dargni, Hungary | Swimming, 1988–1992 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Dan Yapin, China | Table tennis, 1992–1996 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| M. Johnson, USA | Athletics, 1992–2000 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| H. Dillard, USA | Athletics, 1948–1952 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| A. N. Ermakova, Russia | Synchronized swimming, 2004–2008 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| B. Cuthbert, Australia | Athletics, 1956–1964 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| R. Korzhenevsky, Poland | Athletics, 1996–2004 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| A. Krenzlein, USA | Athletics, 1900 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| L. Kreiselburg, USA | Swimming, 2000–2004 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| V.A.Krovopuskov, the USSR | Fencing, 1976–1980 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| L. Leslie, USA | Basketball, 1996–2008 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| D. Taurasi, USA | Basketball, 2004–2016 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| S. Bird, USA | Basketball, 2004–2016 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| K. Ityo, Japan | Freestyle wrestling, 2004–2016 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| P. McCormick, USA | Diving, 1952–1956 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| E. Orter, USA | Athletics, 1956–1968 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| J. Owens, USA | Athletics, 1936 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| K. Pavezi, Italy | Fencing, 1952–1960 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| M. Pinsent, UK | Rowing, 1992–2004 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| P. Radmilovich, Great Britain | Water polo, swimming, 1908–1920 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| V. V. Salnikov, the USSR | Swimming, 1980–1988 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| H. Saint Cyrus, Sweden | Horseback Riding, 1952–1956 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| S. Williams, USA | Tennis, 2000–2012 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| N. Uphoff, Germany | Horseback Riding, 1988–1992 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| J. Fuchs, Hungary | Fencing, 1908–1912 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Zhang Yining, China | Table tennis, 2004–2008 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| K. Schumann, Germany | Artistic gymnastics, wrestling, 1896 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| P. Elvström, Denmark | Sailing, 1948–1960 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
3 Olympic gold medals each won at the Olympic Games approx. 200 athletes (as of 1.1.2020), including representatives of Russia (including the USSR): A. V. Azaryan, D. V. Bilozerchev, S. L. Boginskaya, O. A. Brusnikina, O. A. Bryzgina , G. E. Gorokhova, A. N. Dityatin, V. V. Ekimov, V. F. Zhdanovich, A. I. Zabelina, V. N. Ivanov, T. V. Kazankina, A. A. Karelin, M. A. Kiseleva, A. I. Lavrov, V. G. Mankin, A. V. Medved, V. I. Morozov, V. A. Nazlymov, V. V. Parfenovich, T. N. Press, V. D. Saneev, E. V. Sadovy, B. Kh. Saytiev, L. I. Khvedosyuk-Pinaeva, S. A. Chukhrai ...
Table 3. Athletes who took part in 6 or more Olympiads (as of 1.1.2020).
| Athlete (year of birth), country | Quantity | Kind of sport | Years of participation | Medals | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| gold | silver | bronze | ||||
| I. Millar (b. 1947), Canada | 10 | Horseback Riding | 1972–1976 1984–2012 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| H. Raudaschl, (b.1942) Austria | 9 | Sailing | 1964–1996 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| A. Kuzmin (b. 1947), USSR (3) Latvia (6) | 9 | Shooting sport | 1976–1980 1988–2012 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| P. D'Inceo (1923-2014), Italy | 8 | Horseback Riding | 1948–1976 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| R. D'Inceo (1925-2013), Italy | 8 | Horseback Riding | 1948–1976 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| D. Knowles (b. 1917), UK (1) Bahamas (7) | 8 | Sailing | 1948–1972, 1988 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| P. Elvström (b. 1928), Denmark | 8 | Sailing | 1948–1960, 1968, 1972, 1984, 1988 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| R. Debevec (b. 1963), Yugoslavia (2) Slovenia (6) | 8 | Shooting sport | 1984–2012 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| J. Let's go (1964), Germany (2) Italy (6) | 8 | Rowing kayaks | 1984–2012 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| F. Bose (b. 1964), Peru | 8 | Shooting sport | 1980–2004, 2016 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| L. Thompson (b. 1959), Canada | 8 | Rowing | 1984–2000 2008–2016 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| N. Salukvadze (b. 1969), USSR (2), Georgia (6) | 8 | Shooting sport | 1988–2016 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| I. Osier (1888-1965), Denmark | 7 | Fencing | 1908–1932, 1948 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| F. Lafortune Jr. (b. 1932), Belgium | 7 | Shooting sport | 1952–1976 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C. Palm (b. 1946), Sweden | 7 | Fencing | 1964–1988 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J. M. Plumb (b. 1940), USA | 7 | Horseback Riding | 1964–1976, 1984–1992 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| R. Scanoker (b. 1934), Sweden | 7 | Shooting sport | 1972–1996 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| S. Hashimoto * (b. 1964), Japan | 7 | Cycling, skating | 1984–1994, 1988–1996 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| M. Otti (b. 1960), Jamaica (6) Slovenia (1) | 7 | Athletics | 1980–2004, | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| J. Longo (b. 1958), France | 7 | Cycling | 1984–2008 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| E. Hoy (b. 1959), Australia | 7 | Horseback Riding | 1984–2004, 2012 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| J. Persson (b. 1966), Sweden | 7 | Table tennis | 1988–2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Z. Primorac (b. 1969), Yugoslavia (1) Croatia (6) | 7 | Table tennis | 1988–2012 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| J. M. Sev (b. 1969), Belgium | 7 | Table tennis | 1988–2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A. van Grunsven (b. 1968), Netherlands | 7 | Horseback Riding | 1988–2012 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| J. Lansink (b. 1961), Netherlands (4) Belgium (3) | 7 | Horseback Riding | 1988–2012 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| J. Shekaric (b. 1965), Yugoslavia (1) Independent Olympic Athletes (1) Yugoslavia (2), Serbia and Montenegro (1), Serbia (2) | 7 | Shooting sport | 1988–2012 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| R. Schumann (b. 1962), East Germany (1) Germany (6) | 7 | Shooting sport | 1988–2012 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| M. Todd (b. 1956), New Zealand | 7 | Horseback Riding | 1984–1992, 2000, 2008–2016 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| L. Beerbaum (b. 1963), Germany (1), Germany (6) | 7 | Horseback Riding | 1988–2008, 2016 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| N. Skelton (b. 1957), UK | 7 | Horseback Riding | 1988–1996, 2004–2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| T. Wilhelmson-Sylvain, (b. 1967) Sweden | 7 | Horseback Riding | 1992–2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J. A. G. Bragado (b. 1969), Spain | 7 | Athletics | 1992–2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| E. Carsten (b. 1972), United team (1), Belarus (6) | 7 | Rowing | 1992–2016 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| L. Paes (b. 1973), India | 7 | Tennis | 1992–2016 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| J. Pellelo (b. 1970), Italy | 7 | Shooting sport | 1992–2016 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| J. Rodrigues (b. 1971), Portugal | 7 | Sailing | 1992–2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| S. Toriola (b. 1974), Nigeria | 7 | Table tennis | 1992–2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| O. Chusovitina (b. 1975), Joint Team (1), Uzbekistan (4), Germany (2) | 7 | Gymnastics | 1992–2016 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| M. Konov (1887-1972), Norway | 6 | Sailing | 1908–1920, 1928–1948 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| N. Cohn-Armitage (1907-1972), USA | 6 | Fencing | 1928–1956 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A. Gerevich (1910-1991), Hungary | 6 | Fencing | 1932–1960 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
| J. Romery (1927-2007), USA | 6 | Fencing | 1948–1968 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| L. Manoliu (1932-1998), Romania | 6 | Athletics | 1952–1972 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| E. Pavlovsky (1932-2005), Poland | 6 | Fencing | 1952–1972 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| W. Macmillan (1929-2000), USA | 6 | Shooting sport | 1952, 1960–1976 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| H.G. Winkler (b. 1926), Germany (3), Germany (3) | 6 | Horseback Riding | 1956–1976 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| A. Smelczynski (b. 1930), Poland | 6 | Shooting sport | 1956–1976 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| F. Chapot (1932–2016), USA | 6 | Horseback Riding | 1956–1976 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| B. Hoskins (1931–2013), Great Britain | 6 | Fencing | 1956–1976 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| J. Elder (b. 1934), Canada | 6 | Horseback Riding | 1956–1960, 1968–1976, 1984 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| H. Fogh (1938–2014), Denmark (4), Canada (2) | 6 | Sailing | 1960–1976, 1984 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| R. Klimke (1936-1999), Germany (2), Germany (4) | 6 | Horseback Riding | 1960–1968, 1976, 1984–1988 | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| K. Hanseo-Boylen (b. 1947), Canada | 6 | Horseback Riding | 1964–1976, 1984, 1992 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J. Primrose (b. 1942), Canada | 6 | Shooting sport | 1968–1976, 1984–1992 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| I. Ptak (b. 1946), Czechoslovakia | 6 | Rowing | 1968–1980, 1988–1992 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J. Foster Sr. (b. 1938), Virgin Islands (USA) | 6 | Sailing, bobsleigh | 1972–1976, 1984–1992, 1988 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| L. Alvarez (b. 1947), Spain | 6 | Horseback Riding | 1972–1976, 1984–1996 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| E. Swinkels (b. 1949), Netherlands | 6 | Shooting sport | 1972–1976, 1984–1996 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| H. Simon (b. 1942), Austria | 6 | Horseback Riding | 1972–1976, 1984–1996 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A. Bunturis (b. 1955), Greece | 6 | Sailing | 1976–1996 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| T. Sanderson (b. 1956), UK | 6 | Athletics | 1976–1996 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| K. Stueckelberger (b. 1947), Switzerland | 6 | Horseback Riding | 1972–1976, 1984–1988, 1996–2000 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| N. Matova (b. 1954), Bulgaria | 6 | Shooting sport | 1976–1980, 1988–2000 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| J. Schumann (b. 1954), East Germany (3), Germany (3) | 6 | Sailing | 1976–1980, 1988–2000 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| F. Boccara (b. 1959), France (4) USA (2) | 6 | Rowing kayaks | 1980–2000 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A. Mazzoni (b. 1961), Italy | 6 | Fencing | 1980–2000 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| J. Chia (b. 1955), Peru | 6 | Shooting sport | 1980–2000 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| M. Estiarte (b. 1961), Spain | 6 | Water polo | 1980–2000 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| T. McHugh * (b. 1963), Ireland | 6 | Athletics, bobsleigh | 1988–2000; 1992, 1998 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| B. Fischer (b. 1962), East Germany (2), Germany (4) | 6 | Rowing kayaks | 1980, 1988–2004 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| S. Babiy (b. 1963), Romania | 6 | Shooting sport | 1984–2004 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| K. Bishel (b. 1959), Australia | 6 | Sailing | 1984–2004 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Wang Yifu (b. 1960), China | 6 | Shooting sport | 1984–2004 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| R. Dover (b. 1956), USA | 6 | Horseback Riding | 1984–2004 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| T. Grael (b. 1960), Brazil | 6 | Sailing | 1984–2004 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| A. Kasumi (b. 1966), Greece | 6 | Shooting sport | 1984–2004 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| E. Lipa (b. 1964), Romania | 6 | Rowing | 1984–2004 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| H. Stenvog (b. 1953), Norway | 6 | Shooting sport | 1984–2004 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| S. Nuttrass (b. 1950), Canada | 6 | Shooting sport | 1976, 1988–1992, 2000–2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| K. Kirklund (b. 1951), Finland | 6 | Horseback Riding | 1980–1996, 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| I. Di Buo (b. 1956), Italy | 6 | Archery | 1984–1992, 2000–2008 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| J.E. Kurushet (b. 1965), Argentina | 6 | Cycling | 1984–1988, 1996–2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A. Benelli (b. 1960), Italy | 6 | Shooting sport | 1988–2008 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| F. Diato-Pasetti (b. 1965), Monaco | 6 | Shooting sport | 1988–2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T. Kiryakov (b. 1963), Bulgaria | 6 | Shooting sport | 1988–2008 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| M. Mutola (b. 1972), Mozambique | 6 | Athletics | 1988–2008 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| J. N'Tyamba (b. 1968), Angola | 6 | Athletics | 1988–2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J. Tomkins (b. 1965), Australia | 6 | Rowing | 1988–2008 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| J. Hirvi (b. 1960), Finland | 6 | Shooting sport | 1988–2008 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| V. Chalupa Jr. (b. 1967), Czechoslovakia (2), Czech Republic (4) | 6 | Rowing | 1988–2008 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| J. Jaanson (b. 1965), USSR (1), Estonia (5) | 6 | Rowing | 1988–2008 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| E. Nicholson (b. 1964), New Zealand | 6 | Horseback Riding | 1984, 1992–1996, 2004–2012 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| R. Mark (b. 1964), Australia | 6 | Shooting sport | 1988–2000, 2008–2012 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| S. Martynov (b. 1968), USSR (1), Belarus (5) | 6 | Shooting sport | 1988, 1996–2012 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| D. Buyukuncu (b. 1976), Turkey | 6 | Swimming | 1992–2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| N. Valeeva (b. 1969), United Team (1), Moldova (1), Italy (4) | 6 | Archery | 1992–2012 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| S. Gilgertova (b. 1968), Czechoslovakia (1), Czech Republic (5) | 6 | Rowing slalom | 1992–2012 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| N. Grasu (b. 1971), Romania | 6 | Athletics | 1992–2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| M. Grozdeva (b. 1972), Bulgaria | 6 | Shooting sport | 1992–2012 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| M. Diamond (b. 1972), Australia | 6 | Shooting sport | 1992–2012 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| D. Munkhbayar (b. 1969), Mongolia (3) Germany (3) | 6 | Shooting sport | 1992–2012 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| F. Dumoulin (b. 1973), France | 6 | Shooting sport | 1992–2012 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Y. Yovchev (b. 1973) Bulgaria | 6 | Gymnastics | 1992–2012 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| F. Loef (b. 1969), Sweden | 6 | Sailing | 1992–2012 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| U. Oyama (b. 1969), Brazil | 6 | Table tennis | 1992–2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| R. Pesoa (b. 1972), Brazil | 6 | Horseback Riding | 1992–2012 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| A. Sensini (b. 1970), Italy | 6 | Sailing | 1992–2012 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| D. Topich (b. 1971), Independent Olympic Athletes (1), Yugoslavia (2), Serbia and Montenegro (1) Serbia (2) | 6 | Athletics | 1992–2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| E. Williamson (b. 1971), UK | 6 | Archery | 1992–2012 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| L. Froelander (b. 1974), Sweden | 6 | Swimming | 1992–2012 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| E. Estes (b. 1975), United Team (1) Russia (5) | 6 | Volleyball | 1992–2012 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| J. Whitaker (b. 1955), UK | 6 | Horseback Riding | 1984, 1992–2000, 2008, 2016 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| K. Donkers (b. 1971), Belgium | 6 | Horseback Riding | 1992, 2000–2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T. Alshammar (b. 1977), Sweden | 6 | Swimming | 1996–2016 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| A. Gadorfalvi (b. 1976), Hungary | 6 | Sailing | 1996–2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| L. Evglevskaya (b. 1963), Belarus (2) Australia (4) | 6 | Shooting sport | 1996–2016 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| E. Milev (b. 1968), Bulgaria (4) USA (2) | 6 | Shooting sport | 1996–2016 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A. Mohamed (b. 1976), Hungary | 6 | Fencing | 1996–2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D. Nestor (b. 1972), Canada | 6 | Tennis | 1996–2016 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| K. Road (b. 1979), USA | 6 | Shooting sport | 1996–2016 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| V. Samsonov (b. 1976), Belarus | 6 | Table tennis | 1996–2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| S. Yu. Tetyukhin (b. 1975), Russia | 6 | Volleyball | 1996–2016 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| O. Tufte (b. 1976), Norway | 6 | Rowing | 1996–2016 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Formiga (b. 1978), Brazil | 6 | Football | 1996–2016 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| R. Scheidt (b. 1973), Brazil | 6 | Sailing | 1996–2016 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
* The athlete also competed in the Olympic Winter Games.
If yes, you will probably be very interested to know impressive details of the origins of the Olympic races... The history of the Olympic Games is exciting and full of surprises. So, let's dive into the unknown distances of the world Olympiads?
How it all began
The famous Olympic Games in honor of Olympian Zeus originated in ancient Greece and were held from 776 BC. That is, every 4 years in the city of Olympia. Sports competitions were such a tremendous success and great importance for society that at the time of OlympiyskOhraces ceased wars and ekehiriya was established - a sacred truce.
People were pouring down from everywhere to look at the competitions in Olympia: some traveled on foot, some on horseback, and some even sailed ships across the distant lands, just to have a glimpse of the majestic Greek athletes. Whole tent settlements sprang up around the city. To watch the athletes, spectators completely filled the hillsides around the Alpheus Valley.
After the triumphant victory and the award ceremony (the presentation of a wreath made of a sacred olive tree and a palm branch), the Olympian lived happily ever after. In his honor, celebrations were held, hymns were sung, statues were made, in Athens, the winner was exempted from taxes and burdensome public duties. And the winner was always left with the best seat in the theater. In some places, even the children of the Olympian enjoyed special privileges.
Interesting, that women were not allowed to participate in Olympic competitions on pain of death.
The brave Greeks competed in running, fistfights (which Pythagoras once won), jumping, javelin throwing, and so on. However, the most dangerous were chariot races. Believe it or not, the winner of the equestrian competition was considered the owner of the horses, not the poor cabman who risked his life to win.
There are many legends associated with the Olympic Games. One of them says that Zeus himself allegedly organized the first competition in honor of the victory over his father. True or not, but in the literature it was Homer who first mentioned the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece in the poem "Iliad".
Archaeological excavations indicate that in Olympia, 5 rectangular or horseshoe-shaped stadiums with stands for fans were erected specifically for the competition.
Unfortunately, now nothing is known about the time of the champions. It was enough to be the first to reach the finish line to get the right to light the sacred fire. But legends tell us about the Olympians who ran faster than hares, and what is the talent of the Spartan Ladas, who did not leave footprints on the sand during the run.
Modern Olympic Games
Modern international sporting events, known as the Summer Olympics, have been held every four years since 1896. The initiator was a French baron Pierre de Coubertin... He believed that it was precisely the lack of physical training that prevented the French soldiers from winning the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. Young people should measure their strength on sports grounds, not on battlefields, the activist argued.
The first Olympic Games were held in Athens. To organize the competition, we created International Olympic Committee, whose first president was Demetrius Vikelas from Greece.
Since that time, the holding of the World Olympiad has become a good tradition. Amid impressive excavations and archaeological finds, the idea of Olympism spread throughout Europe. Increasingly, European states organized their own sports competitions, which were watched by the whole world.
But what about winter sports ..
To fill the gap in winter sports competitions that were technically impossible to host in the summer, Winter Olympic Games have been held since January 25, 1924... The first were organized in a French city Chamonix... In addition to figure skating and hockey, athletes competed in speed skating, ski jumping, etc.
293 athletes, including 13 women, from 16 countries of the world expressed their desire to compete for the championship in the competition. The first Olympic champion of the Winter Games was C. Jutrow from the USA (speed skating), but in the end the teams from Finland and Norway turned out to be the leaders of the competition. The races lasted 11 days and ended on February 4th.
Olympic Games Attributes
Now the symbol and emblem In the Olympic Games, there are five intertwined rings that symbolize the unification of the five continents.
Olympic motto proposed by the Catholic monk Henri Didon: "Faster, higher, stronger."
At the opening ceremony of each Olympiad, they raise flag- a white cloth with an emblem (Olympic rings). Throughout the Olympiad, it burns Olympic Fire, which is brought to the venue every time from Olympia.
Since 1968, each Olympiad has its own.
In 2016, the Olympic Games are planned to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the Ukrainian team will present their champions to the world. By the way, a figure skater became the first Olympic champion of independent Ukraine Oksana Baiul.
The opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games are always a spectacular show that once again underlines the prestige and importance of this global competition on a planetary scale.
