Of all sporting events that planet Earth has to offer, none of them can match the popularity, passion, and interest that the Olympics gather every four years, two if we count the Winter competitions.
Athletes from more than 200 nations compete with all that they have for the right to be called Olympic champions. If they can’t, usually a place in the podium (which would mean silver or a bronze medal) is a nice consolation prize.
The origins of the Olympic Games go way back to the 19th century, specifically in 1896, in Athens, Greece. After that, 27 competitions have since then followed suit. All with its own entire collection of memories, triumphs, success, and failure.
The games evolved from 250 male competitors in 42 events in 1896 to more than 11,000 (spread nearly evenly between men and women) athletes in 306 events in Rio 2016. Naturally, the event garners lots of TV interest, and people want to enjoy it with or without cable.
Olympic sports
Sport Years
Archery 1900–1908, 1920, since 1972
Athletics All
Badminton Since 1992
Baseball 1992–2008, 2020
Basketball Since 1936
Basque pelota 1900
Boxing 1904, 1908, since 1920
Canoeing and kayaking Since 1936
Cricket 1900
Sports climbing 2020
Croquet 1900
Cycling All
Diving Since 1904
Equestrian 1900, since 1912
Fencing All
Field hockey 1908, 1920, since 1928
Football 1900–1928, since 1936
Golf 1900, 1904, since 2016
Gymnastics All
Handball 1936, since 1972
Jeu de paume 1908
Judo 1964, since 1972
Karate 2020
Lacrosse 1904, 1908
Modern pentathlon Since 1912
Polo 1900, 1908, 1920, 1924, 1936
Rackets 1908
Rhythmic gymnastics Since 1984
Roque 1904
Rowing Since 1900
Rugby union 1900, 1908, 1920, 1924
Rugby sevens Since 2016
Sailing