The resumption of the Summer Olympics took place in 1896. During this time, the list includes such names of Olympic sports as gymnastics, martial arts, water sports, equestrian sports, all-around, tennis, team games.
In total, about 40 sports entered the ranks of the summer Olympic, but over time 12 of them were excluded by the decision of the
International Olympic Committee. Thus, the number 28 can be announced - this is how many summer Olympic sports are on the list now.
Badminton
This is perhaps one of the most popular sports. His homeland is Southeast Asia. For the first time, the Summer Olympics included badminton on their list in 1972. Demonstrations took place in Munich. Officially, this sport entered the Olympic program 20 years later in Barcelona. Since 1996, 5 sets of awards have been played: personal and doubles in the male and female categories, as well as in mixed categories. Singles - 36 participants, doubles - 32 and mixed - 16. The winner is the one who scores 30 points first (with the score 29:29) or 22 (with the score 20:20). In total, there are 3 games in the match, the winner must win 2.
Basketball
Sports at the Summer Olympics include men's (since 1936) and women's (since 1976) basketball. Increased attention to Olympic basketball tournaments was noted when NBA players were allowed to participate. The Olympic tournaments involved 12 teams, divided into 2 groups. 4 teams enter the quarter-finals, which are eliminated according to the elimination system.
Baseball
This team game appeared in the United States at the beginning of the 19th century, but for the first time the Summer Olympics included it in its lists only in 1992. The goal of the teams (and there are two) is a set of points. The game uses a ball and a bat. One player throws the ball, and the second hits it. If the batter manages to run around all the bases located in the corners of the field, the team is credited with a point.
Boxing
Since 1904, men's boxing has been included in the list of Olympic sports, and since 2012, women's boxing has been awarded this honor. To date, medals are played between boxers in 11 weight categories. For the entire duration of the Olympic Games, boxers from the USA (48), from Cuba (32) and from Russia (20) received the largest number of medals.
Fight
Greco-Roman wrestling replenishes the sports of the Summer Olympic Games since their revival in 1896. It was not on the lists only in 1900. These competitions are held only among men. Athletes are divided into seven weight categories. A feature of the struggle is the prohibition of capture below the waist, sweep and footrest. All actions occur with the use of hands and torso. Since 1904, the Summer Olympics includes freestyle wrestling, in which trips, sweeps and other techniques are allowed. Since 2004, women have been participating in these competitions. In total, 11 sets of awards are given for freestyle wrestling: in 4 weight categories for women and 7 for men.
Cycling
The cycling sports of the Summer Olympics are the cycle track, bike highway, BMX and mountain bike. The cycle track was first included in the program in 1896, and the second time appeared only in 1912. Women's competitions were first held in 1988. The cycle track includes an individual pursuit, sprint, madison and a points race.
- Olympic sprint - teams of 3 people participate in distances of 750 meters, in which only the last 200 meters are timed.
- Pursuit - men's distance - 4 km, women's - 3 km.
- The points race - men's distance - 40 km, women's - 25 km.
- Madison - exclusively male team competition (2 persons) 60 km competition.
- Keirin - 5½ round 250m race
Cycling highway is a group women's (120 km) or men's (239 km) race, which begins with a general start. Team members have the right to help each other in terms of repair. In the individual race, participants start at intervals of 90 seconds and cannot assist other athletes. The BMX was first listed on the 2008 Olympic Games. Participants, using maneuverable bicycles, cross the terrain, which is covered with bushes.
Water polo
Men's water polo is one of the constant sports. So, the first competitions were held at the Olympics since 1900, but women's teams began to participate only in 2000.
Two teams of seven people each take part in the match (together with the goalkeeper), and there are six players on the bench. The game consists of four periods of eight minutes.
Volleyball
For the first time at the Olympics, volleyball appeared in 1924 as an entertainment show. But it was included in the program in 1964. Two teams of 6 people play 3 games of 25 points. In this case, the gap must be at least 2 points, otherwise the party is considered incomplete. A tie-break (5th game) is played up to 15 points. The game provides technical timeouts of 60 seconds and two additional 30 seconds.
Beach volleyball is part of the modern Olympic Games. Types of sports differ among themselves by the venue (the name speaks for itself) and some conditions. For example, a game is considered to be won if there are 15 points in one of the teams.
Handball
Handball is a team game, both male and female. She made her debut at the Olympics in 1936. The game consists of two matches of 30 minutes each. The duration of the break is 10 minutes. The team consists of 14 people (7 on the field and 7 on the bench).
Gymnastics
Sports and rhythmic gymnastics are sports of the Summer Olympic Games that have appeared on the list since the revival of these competitions. In 1896, men's sports gymnastics debuted, in 1928 - women's gymnastics. At the moment, medals for team participation in individual all-around events, as well as for each shell separately, are being played among athletes. Artistic gymnasts first participated in competitions in 1984. What pleased the Olympics fans with? Rhythmic gymnastics is widely known for amazing pirouettes.
Rowing
What are the Olympic sports related to rowing? The list includes the following:
- Rowing is oar (when the athletes are divided into two teams, each rowing with one oar) and steam (each participant has two oars). The race takes place on a direct track with a length of 2000 m.
- Kayaking and canoeing for men and women, at different distances in singles, deuces and fours.
- Rowing slalom - racing through a rapid stream through special gates.
Judo
Judo is one of the most popular martial arts. It has been on the list of Olympic sports since 1964. Competitions among women were first held in 1992. The main goal of the participants is to maintain balance and make an opponent throw.
Horseback Riding
This is an "aristocratic" discipline, it has been included in the Olympics since 1900. Varieties of competitions in this sport are constantly changing, but currently medals are awarded for individual and team participation in jumping, eventing and departure.
Athletics
One of the most branched sports is track and field athletics. The Olympics provides for as many as 47 sets of medals. Types of athletics competitions are classified by location:
- On the track and field.
- Inside the athletics core.
- Outside the stadium.
Sailing
This sport is one of the most complex in terms of execution technique. For participation in the competition provides 11 sets of awards. At the moment, to replace the old classic ships came more modern and lightweight.
Swimming
Swimming was included in the Olympics in 1912. Competitions in this sport are held in several stages. There are the following varieties: freestyle, on the back, butterfly stroke, integrated swimming, relay race.
Diving
This is a type of water sports involving jumping from a tower or a springboard (located at different heights). For the first time in 1904, single jumps were presented at the Olympics, and in 2000 - synchronized jumps.
Trampoline Jumping
Included in Olympic sports since 2000, their essence is to perform three exercises of ten elements. To date, a set of male and female medals is being played at the Olympics.
Synchronized swimming
Synchronized swimming is rightly called one of the most sophisticated sports. Its basis is the performance of various figures in water to music. Water ballet (this sport was originally called that way) debuted in 1984 in the form of singles and doubles. Synchronized swimming is an exclusively female sport, consisting of a technical and long program.
Modern Pentathlon
Modern pentathlon includes the following Olympic sports (you can see photos of competing athletes in the article): shooting, fencing, swimming, horseback riding, running. The pentathlon was first presented in 1912; initially, medals were played only among men. Since 1996, women have also been participating in this type of competition.
Shooting
To hit the target using firearms and pneumatic weapons. This sport has been included in the Olympics since 1896. Both men and women compete. To date, shooting is divided into bullet and stand. The first is made of firearms (distances of 25 and 50 meters) and pneumatic (10 meters) weapons. Men fire 60 rounds, women 40 each. Different positions are also provided: lying, standing, and from the knee. Shotgun competitions take place at open ranges. Smoothbore weapons are used to hit flying saucer targets. Competitions include a round and trench stand and a double ladder.
Archery
Two types of weapons are used - block and Olympic bow. Competitors fall into stationary targets from a distance of 70 meters. This sport was first included in the Olympic Games in 1900. Both men and women take part in the competitions, and team and individual shooting is also provided.
Tennis
To date, the Olympics includes tennis and table tennis. The first one made its debut in 1896, then it was expelled, and since 1988 by the decision of the IOC was again included in the lists of Olympic sports. Table tennis has its roots in the 19th century, but it only got to the Olympics in 1988. The competition is attended by men and women. The winner is the one who scores the most points. Competitions consist of seven parties, each of which is brought up to 11 points.
Triathlon
This is one of the most difficult types of competitions. It includes swimming, cycling and running. The tracks for men and women are the same, all races take place on the same day. Women start earlier than men: when running - for 30 minutes, when riding a bicycle - for 60 minutes, while swimming - for 20 minutes.
Taekwondo
Another young (since 2000), but a progressive sport included in the Olympics. During the competition, not only the ability to conduct a contact battle is assessed, but also the breaking of objects by hand and foot in a jump. Limbs and heads of participants are protected. During sparring kicks below the belt are prohibited. The winner is the participant who scored the most points on technical techniques.
Weightlifting
In 1896, the list of strength sports was replenished with weightlifting. The essence of the competition is weight lifting. Jerk and push are the basics of lifting the bar. Each participant has the right to three attempts. Weightlifting is part of biathlon. Since 2000, women have been participating in competitions. For men, 8 weight categories are provided, for women - 7.
Fencing
Fencing refers exclusively to an individual sport. Included in the Olympics since 1924. Women and men compete. The weapon for the competition can be a rapier, a saber and a sword. The battle itself is held on a track 2 meters wide and 14 meters long, made of electrically conductive material. Points are scored as follows:
- A saber is an injection and a blow, since it is not only a stabbing, but also a chopping weapon.
- Rapier - injections made anywhere in the body except the back of the head.
- Sword - any inflicted injection.
During fencing on swords simultaneously applied injections. And when using rapiers - only applied during the attack.
Football
What makes men happy at the Olympics? Football is, perhaps, just such a game, which makes millions of people from the stronger sex gather at the screens. In 1996, women's football was added. At the very beginning of the development of the Olympic Games, professional clubs were forbidden to participate in competitions. At the dawn of the 20th century, the leading football team was the UK team. It was she who won prizes for several Games in a row. The UK was represented by the amateur team of England. Oddly enough, it consisted of professional football players. The year 1932 was marked by the fact that football was excluded from the list of Olympic sports. There were two reasons for this. First of all, it was believed that football was uninteresting to residents of the United States (and the 1932 Olympics was planned there). Secondly, the FIFA Federation did not want this promising sport to be in the shadow of such a world famous event as the Olympics.
Football was restored to the roster in 1936. Due to the fact that the athletes quickly reached a high professional level, FIFA allowed professional players to participate in the Olympics. Only those who did not participate in the world championships remained banned. In 1992, age restrictions were introduced: the team should not have more than 3 players whose age exceeds 23 years.
Field hockey
It is a hybrid of football and hockey. The competition involves 2 teams of 16 people. The game is two halves of 35 minutes with a break between them of 10 minutes. Until 1980, only men participated in the competition, now there are also women's teams.