Ancient Olympics
What Greek City hosted the first Olympics in 776 BC?
Olympia, Greece
True or False: Gold medals are made of solid Gold
False! (Approximately 100 years ago they started making them out of silver with gold plating)
When does the Paris Olympics start?
Today! June 26, 2024. Though some completions (Soccer and Rugby) actually started a few days ago.
What city is hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics?
What is Paris, France?
Name one member of Team USA Gymnastics Team
Women: Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera
Men: Brody Malone, Fredich Richard, Paul Juda, Asher Hong, Stephen Nedoroscik
True of False - Women could compete in the ancient Olympics
False! Married women could not even attend and watch the games (unmarried women were allowed to attend)
But women had an equivalent festival called Heraean Games, which also took place in Olympia and was held in honor of Zeus’ wife, Hera. Little is known about Heraean games but these games are considered the very first athletic competition for women!
What medal is awarded is awarded for second place?
Silver?
Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Mark Spitz, and Jenny Thompson are all decorated Olympic athletes in what sport
What is Swimming?
Does Team USA (for Paris 2024 Olympics) have more men or women athletes?
Women!
Team USA has 590 athletes - 314 females and 278 males.
The first Olympics focused just on running events. What did the ancient athletes wear?
Nothing! Not even shoes!
How often are the Olympic Games held?
Every 2 years there is an Olympics, alternating Winter and Summer. So, in two years, the next Olympics will be Winter games. Next summer games will be in 4 years.
What is the 2024 Olympic Mascot?
Phryges - which are hats that resemble tongues and are inspired by Phrygian caps worn by 18th-century French revolutionaries.
True or False: Trampoline is an Summer Olympic Event
True! (it debuted in 2000 and has been in olympics every since)
Who is the most decorated (Most medals) Olympian?
Hint: He's an American
Michael Phelps (Swimming)
What prize did winners of ancient Olympics receive? (hint: it was not gold medals)
Olive-leaf wreath
This country always walks in first in the opening ceremonies
Greece
Name one new sport debuting in the 2024 Olympics
Kayak Cross, Breaking (Breakdancing), or Kiteboarding (Kitesailing)
How many countries are competing in 2024 Olympics?
What is 206?
Who traditionally designs the outfits worn by American Athletes during the Opening Ceremony?
Ralph Lauren
The first Olympic games were to honor what Greek mythology god?
Zeus
What year was the Paralympics added to the Olympic Games?
1960
(Paralympics actually started as the Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948 held in London on the same day as the 1948 London Olympics start, but they did not actually become part of the Olympics until 1960 Olympics in Rome)
Surfing is returning to the Olympics for its second time but won't be held in France. Where will it be held?
What is Tahiti, French Polynesia?
(over 9000 miles from France! this sets the record for the furthest location from the host city to ever hold a medal event)
Where will the next SUMMER Olympics be held (in 2028)?
Los Angeles, California (this will be the THIRD time LA hosts. It also hosted back in 1932 and 1984)
Name one of the Team USA flag bearers in Opening Ceremonies
(hint: there is one male and one female)
Male: Lebron James (basketball)
Female: Coco Gauff (Tennis)