Ah the Olympics. Here at BonusReferrerCode, there is very little we like more than watching incredible feats of sporting achievement, one after the other. And that’s what the games are all about. So let’s get stuck into some Olympics trivia so that you can impress your friends, win pub quizzes and feel a certain satisfaction in your boosted sports knowledge.
Olympics trivia fact #1: The first Olympics
The first Olympic games held in the modern era was in April 1896 in Athens, Greece. The opening ceremony attracted 100,000 people and 14 different nations took part. However, the origins of the Olympics stretch back far further than that.
Ancient Greek detour…
The first games were held in Ancient Greece and it took place on a single day until 684 BC. After that date, it slowly rose to a three-day and finally a five-day event.
The Ancient Greek games included some pursuits that we’re still very familiar with today, including running, shot put, boxing, long jump, javelin and various equestrian events. As you might imagine, chariot races were involved!
Some of the events were rooted in mythology, including Pankration. A primitive type of martial art, it is said that this was invented by Theseus in a labyrinth when he triumphed over a fearsome Minotaur.
Olympics trivia fact #2: The most decorated Olympian
Any guesses who the athlete with the most medals is? We’ll give you a hint, he’s a household name, especially among water sports fans. Yes, it’s Michael Phelps. United States team member Phelps has won a total of 28 medals across his career. Amazingly, 23 of those medals were gold, followed by three silvers and two bronzes. He is streets ahead of the closest competition, with the second highest total medals won going to Larisa Latynina, a gymnast from the Soviet Union
The Phelps effect
Nicknamed The Baltimore Bullet, Michael Phelps scooped his medals between 2004 and 2016. In fact, during the 2004 Athens Olympics, he tied the record of winning eight medals at a single game. He continued his strong streak throughout his Olympics career, becoming the most successful athlete at four Olympics in a row. Now aged 36, he announced his retirement in 2016. This incredible man is known as the greatest swimmer of all time and it’s no wonder why.
Olympics trivia fact #3: Where are the women?
There were no women participants at the first Olympic games, but it only took four years for a woman to stand up and compete. A total of 22 women competed in the 1900 Olympics in Paris. This made up a paltry 2.2% of total participants, but you have to start somewhere, right? Helene de Pourtales was on the Swiss team for a sailing event and became the first woman to compete at the games. Slowly but surely, more and more women have competed over the decades. Having said that, things aren’t perfect. There are still over 30 events that women aren’t allowed compete in.
Females at the table
To combat the gender inequality of the games, the International Olympic Committee pledged in the 1990s that 20% of its members would be women by 2005. It failed to meet its target on time, however now it is currently surpassing it. Fingers crossed that has a knock-on effect on female representation in the games as a whole.
Where can I bet on Olympic events online?
When the Olympics begins, a lot of sports fans ask this question. Of course, there are lots of places that you can place bets on the Olympics, depending on the regulations in the region you’re in. One of our favourites has got to be Bet365. It’s got a really good range of markets and fantastic odds too. And this is a site that’s not just for the Olympics, there are plenty of options when we’re not in the Olympics cycle too.
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