Olympic Games Fast Facts

The team at Lemon.ly is very excited for the 2012 London Olympics. As we count down the days to the start of the Olympic Games we started asking a few questions about Olympic history. In this graphical presentation, Lemon.ly presents a few Olympic Games Fast Facts to get you excited.

1. THE OLYMPIC GAMES
FASTER, HIGHER, STRONGER
Ever wondered what the five rings on the Olympic flag symbolize? 
How have the modern games changed over time?
Find out the answers to these questions and more about the Olympics.
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2. The first Olympic Games in 1896 had nine sport 
competitions. Since then many sports have been 
added (and removed) from the program.
1896
730
The first modern Olympic Games 
in 1896 included a marathon, 
which was designed specifically to 
pay homage to Ancient Greece.
MARATHON

3. Cycling
Fencing
Gymnastics
Five sports that have been part
of every summer Olympic Games
Track and Field
Swimming

4. BROADCASTING
The first Olympic Games 
to be televised were the 
Berlin Olympics in 1936.
The Olympic Games weren't 
televised worldwide until the 
Rome Olympics in 1960.

5. TOP FIVE MOST
POPULAR EVENTS
1
3
730
Track and field
Soccer
4
Gymnastics
5
Basketball
2
Swimming

6. The modern use of the Olympic flame 
began in 1936. Greek ritual also 
included torch relays, although this was 
not actually part of the Olympic Games.
Traditionally the Olympic 
flame originates in Olympia, 
Greece and is rekindled 
every two years using the 
sun's rays and a concave 
reflective mirror.
TORCH RELAY

7. 1908
1912
The first time athletes marched into 
the stadium behind their nations' 
flags was in London.
The first Olympic Games to include 
competitors from all five continents.
1908
The first time a swimming pool was 
used for swimming events.

8. OLYMPIC FLAG
The five interlocking rings of the Olympic flag symbolize 
the five continents of the world 
LINKED TOGETHER IN FRIENDSHIP.
AUSTRALIA AFRICA AMERICAS
ASIA EUROPE

9. The Olympic Gold Medal is made of
silver with a 6 gram coating of gold.
HOW MUCH GOLD
IS THERE IN
AN OLYMPIC
GOLD MEDAL?

10. 1984
1920
The only Olympian 
ever to be awarded the 
Nobel Peace Prize was 
Philip Noel-Baker of 
Great Britain, who won 
the silver medal in the 
1500-meter dash.
First time professional 
athletes were officially 
allowed to compete in 
the Games.
THE VICTORY PODIUM
WAS FIRST USED IN 1932.
The most Gold 
Medals ever won by a 
single individual in a 
single Olympics. 
Michael Phelps,
 USA, won them in 
the 2008 Beijing 
Olympics.
8

11. LONDON 2012
The 2012 Summer Olympics, which open on 
July 27, will make London the first city in the 
world to host the Olympic Games three times.
Sources
http://www.cnbc.com/id/26144883
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_are_the_Olympics_not_held_every_year
http://history1900s.about.com/od/greateventsofthecentury/a/olympicfacts.htm
http://history1900s.about.com/od/fadsfashion/a/olympicshistory.htm
http://geography.about.com/od/countryinformation/a/olympiccodes.htm
http://geography.about.com/od/countryinformation/a/olympiccities.htm
http://history1900s.about.com/od/greateventsofthecentury/a/olympicfacts_2.htm
http://www.factmonster.com/spot/olympics-trivia.html
http://www.topendsports.com/events/summer/trivia.htm
http://www.topendsports.com/events/summer/firsts.htm
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