Welcome to our article about the list of Olympic sports! If you’re an English language learner looking to expand your vocabulary and knowledge of sports, then you’re in the right place. The Olympic Games are one of the biggest sporting events in the world, with athletes from all over the globe competing in a wide range of sports. In this article, we’ll explore the different sports that are part of the Olympic Games, their history, and some key vocabulary words to help you understand and talk about them.
List of Olympic Sports
Understanding the List of Olympic Sports
The Olympics is a multi-sport event that takes place every four years and brings together athletes from all over the world to compete against each other in various sports. The modern Olympic Games were first held in Athens, Greece in 1896, and have since become one of the most prestigious and widely watched sporting events in the world.
The Olympics consist of two main events: the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. The Summer Olympics typically feature sports such as track and field, swimming, gymnastics, and basketball, while the Winter Olympics feature sports such as skiing, ice skating, and ice hockey.
Athletes compete in their respective events for gold, silver, and bronze medals, with the top three finishers in each event receiving medals. The Olympics also have a strong cultural and symbolic significance, representing international cooperation and the pursuit of excellence in sports and human achievement.
The Olympic Games are governed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which is responsible for selecting the host city for each Olympic Games and ensuring that the Games are conducted in accordance with the Olympic Charter. The Olympic Games have also been the subject of controversy at times, with issues such as doping, corruption, and political tensions occasionally overshadowing the sporting events themselves.
List of Olympic Sports: The Summer Olympics
The Summer Olympics is the world’s most popular international sporting event, featuring a wide range of sports. In this section, we will explore some of the most popular Summer Olympic sports, including Athletics, Swimming, Gymnastics, Cycling, and Boxing.
Athletics
Athletics, also known as track and field, is one of the oldest and most popular Summer Olympic sports. It includes a variety of events such as running, jumping, and throwing. Here are some common words related to Athletics:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sprint | A short-distance race |
| Marathon | A long-distance race |
| Hurdles | A race in which runners jump over barriers |
| Pole Vault | A jumping event in which athletes use a pole to clear a high bar |
| Shot Put | A throwing event in which athletes throw a heavy ball as far as possible |
Example sentence: Usain Bolt is a famous sprinter who has won multiple gold medals in the Olympics.
Swimming
Swimming is another popular Summer Olympic sport that includes a variety of events such as freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly. Here are some common words related to Swimming:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Freestyle | A swimming style in which the swimmer can use any stroke |
| Breaststroke | A swimming style in which the swimmer moves their arms and legs in a circular motion |
| Backstroke | A swimming style in which the swimmer lies on their back and moves their arms and legs in a circular motion |
| Butterfly | A swimming style in which the swimmer moves their arms and legs simultaneously in a dolphin-like motion |
| Medley | A swimming event in which the swimmer uses all four styles in a specific order |
Example sentence: Michael Phelps is a legendary swimmer who has won a record-breaking 23 gold medals in the Olympics.
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport that includes a variety of events such as floor exercise, balance beam, vault, and uneven bars. Here are some common words related to Gymnastics:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Floor Exercise | A gymnastics event in which athletes perform a routine on a mat |
| Balance Beam | A gymnastics event in which athletes perform a routine on a narrow beam |
| Vault | A gymnastics event in which athletes run and jump onto a springboard to perform a trick |
| Uneven Bars | A gymnastics event in which athletes perform a routine on two horizontal bars of different heights |
| Rings | A gymnastics event in which athletes perform a routine on a pair of rings suspended in the air |
Example sentence: Simone Biles is a talented gymnast who has won multiple gold medals in the Olympics.
Cycling
Cycling is a sport that includes a variety of events such as road race, time trial, track cycling, and BMX. Here are some common words related to Cycling:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Road Race | A cycling event in which athletes race on a road course |
| Time Trial | A cycling event in which athletes race against the clock on a road course |
| Track Cycling | A cycling event in which athletes race on an indoor track |
| BMX | A cycling event in which athletes race on a dirt track with obstacles |
| Mountain Biking | A cycling event in which athletes race on a rough terrain |
Example sentence: Chris Froome is a professional cyclist who has won multiple Tour de France titles.
Boxing
Boxing is a combat sport in which two athletes fight each other using their fists. Here are some common words related to Boxing:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Jab | A quick punch with the lead hand |
| Cross | A powerful punch with the rear hand |
| Hook | A punch thrown in a circular motion with the lead or rear hand |
| Uppercut | A punch thrown upward with the rear hand |
| Knockout | A victory achieved by knocking out the opponent |
Example sentence: Muhammad Ali is a legendary boxer who has won multiple Olympic gold medals.
List of Olympic Sports: The Winter Olympics
The Winter Olympics is an international multi-sport event held every four years, featuring various sports that are played on snow and ice. Here are some of the popular Winter Olympic sports:
Ice Hockey
Ice hockey is a team sport played on ice, where two teams of six players each try to score goals by hitting a puck into the opposing team’s net. The sport is fast-paced, physical, and requires a high level of skill and coordination. Here are some common ice hockey terms:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Puck | The hard rubber disc that is used in the game |
| Stickhandling | The ability to control the puck with the stick |
| Slapshot | A hard shot taken by winding up the stick and hitting the puck with force |
| Power play | When one team has a numerical advantage due to a penalty on the other team |
Skiing
Skiing is a popular winter sport that involves sliding down snow-covered slopes on skis. There are several types of skiing events in the Winter Olympics, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and ski jumping. Here are some skiing terms:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Moguls | Bumps on a ski slope created by skiers |
| Downhill | A fast skiing event where skiers race down a steep slope |
| Slalom | A skiing event where skiers race down a course marked by poles |
| Nordic combined | A skiing event that combines cross-country skiing and ski jumping |
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a winter sport that involves riding down snow-covered slopes on a board. It is a relatively new sport, having been added to the Winter Olympics in 1998. Here are some snowboarding terms:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Halfpipe | A U-shaped snowboarding course with vertical walls |
| Freestyle | Snowboarding that involves tricks and jumps |
| Slopestyle | Snowboarding that involves performing tricks on a course with rails, jumps, and other obstacles |
| Big air | A snowboarding event where riders perform tricks after launching off a large jump |
Biathlon
Biathlon is a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. The sport requires a high level of endurance, strength, and accuracy. Here are some biathlon terms:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Shooting range | The area where biathletes shoot at targets |
| Sprint | A biathlon event that involves skiing a short distance and shooting at targets |
| Pursuit | A biathlon event that involves skiing a longer distance and shooting at targets |
| Mass start | A biathlon event where all competitors start at the same time and ski the same distance |
Speed Skating
Speed skating is a winter sport that involves racing on ice using long, narrow blades. The sport requires a combination of speed, endurance, and technique. Here are some speed skating terms:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lap | One complete circuit around the track |
| Short track | A speed skating event that takes place on a smaller track |
| Long track | A speed skating event that takes place on a 400-meter oval track |
| Relay | A speed skating event where teams of four skaters take turns racing around the track |
List of Olympic Sports: Paralympic Sports
The Paralympic Games are a multi-sport event for athletes with physical, mental, and sensorial disabilities. There are currently 28 Paralympic sports sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), including 22 summer and six winter sports. In this section, we will cover five of the most popular Paralympic sports: Wheelchair Basketball, Goalball, Boccia, Para Alpine Skiing, and Wheelchair Rugby.
Wheelchair Basketball
Wheelchair Basketball is a team sport played on a standard basketball court with two teams of five players each. The game is played with a regulation basketball and the same rules as able-bodied basketball, with some minor modifications. The players must use a wheelchair at all times during the game, and the wheelchair is considered part of the player’s body.
Goalball
Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with visual impairments. The game is played on an indoor court with two teams of three players each. The objective of the game is to throw a ball with bells inside across the opponent’s goal line while the opposing team tries to block the ball with their bodies.
Boccia
Boccia is a precision ball sport played by athletes with cerebral palsy and related conditions. The game is played on a court with two teams of one, two, or three players each. The objective of the game is to throw leather balls as close as possible to a target ball, called the jack.
Para Alpine Skiing
Para Alpine Skiing is a winter sport for athletes with physical disabilities. The sport includes several disciplines, such as downhill, slalom, giant slalom, and super-G. The athletes use specialized equipment, such as sit-skis or mono-skis, to navigate the slopes.
Wheelchair Rugby
Wheelchair Rugby, also known as Murderball, is a team sport played on a court with two teams of four players each. The objective of the game is to carry the ball across the opponent’s goal line while the opposing team tries to stop them by hitting them with their wheelchairs. The game is played with a volleyball and the same rules as able-bodied rugby, with some minor modifications.
List of Olympic Sports: Youth Olympics
The Youth Olympic Games include a variety of exciting sports that showcase the skills and talents of young athletes from around the world. In this section, we will explore some of the most popular sports featured in the Youth Olympic Games.
Basketball 3×3
Basketball 3×3 is a fast-paced version of traditional basketball that features two teams of three players each. The game is played on a half-court, and the first team to score 21 points or more wins. This sport requires quick reflexes, excellent teamwork, and precise shooting skills. Some common terms used in basketball 3×3 include:
- Dribble: Moving the ball by bouncing it on the ground with one hand.
- Layup: A shot taken close to the basket by jumping up and using one hand to lay the ball into the basket.
- Rebound: When a player grabs the ball after a missed shot.
- Screen: When an offensive player blocks a defender to create space for a teammate.
Break Dancing
Break Dancing is a dynamic and acrobatic style of dance that originated in the United States in the 1970s. It involves a combination of intricate footwork, spins, and freezes, and is often performed to hip-hop music. Some common break dancing moves include:
- Toprock: A series of steps performed while standing up.
- Footwork: A series of steps performed while on the ground.
- Power moves: Acrobatic moves that involve spinning and jumping.
- Freeze: A stationary pose held at the end of a dance sequence.
Sport Climbing
Sport Climbing is a challenging and exhilarating sport that involves climbing up a vertical wall using only your hands and feet. The goal is to reach the top of the wall as quickly as possible, without falling. Some common terms used in sport climbing include:
- Belay: A technique used to control the rope and protect the climber in case of a fall.
- Crimp: A small hold that requires the climber to use their fingertips to grip.
- Dyno: A jump from one hold to another.
- Route: A specific path up the wall that the climber must follow.
Karate
Karate is a martial art that originated in Japan and is now practiced all over the world. It involves a combination of strikes, kicks, and blocks, and is often used for self-defense. Some common karate terms include:
- Kata: A sequence of movements that simulates a fight against imaginary opponents.
- Kumite: Sparring against a real opponent.
- Dojo: A training hall where karate is practiced.
- Gi: The traditional uniform worn by karate practitioners.
In conclusion, the Youth Olympic Games offer a diverse range of sports that showcase the skills and talents of young athletes from around the world. Whether you’re interested in basketball, dance, climbing, or martial arts, there is something for everyone in the Youth Olympic Games.
Newly Introduced Olympic Sports
The Olympics is a worldwide event that brings together athletes from different countries to compete in various sports. Over the years, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has introduced new sports to the Olympic Games to keep up with the changing times and interests of fans. In this section, we will discuss the newly introduced Olympic sports that will be featured in the 2021 Tokyo Games.
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is a sport that involves riding and performing tricks on a skateboard. It is a popular sport among young people and has gained a lot of attention in recent years. Skateboarding will be making its Olympic debut at the 2021 Tokyo Games, with two events for both men and women: street and park. In the street event, skaters will perform tricks on obstacles such as stairs, rails, and ledges. In the park event, skaters will perform tricks on a hollowed-out course with curves and bowls.
Some key terms related to skateboarding are:
- Ollie: Jumping with the skateboard
- Kickflip: Flipping the board with your foot
- Grind: Sliding the board on an obstacle
- Vert: Riding on a vertical ramp
Surfing
Surfing is a water sport that involves riding waves on a surfboard. It originated in Hawaii and has become a popular sport around the world. Surfing will be making its Olympic debut at the 2021 Tokyo Games, with two events for both men and women: shortboard and longboard. In the shortboard event, surfers will ride smaller, more maneuverable boards and perform high-speed maneuvers on the wave face. In the longboard event, surfers will ride longer, more stable boards and perform traditional surfing maneuvers such as nose riding and cross-stepping.
Some key terms related to surfing are:
- Swell: Waves coming towards the shore
- Barrel: The hollow part of a wave
- Cutback: Turning back towards the breaking wave
- Wipeout: Falling off the board
Sport Climbing
Sport climbing is a sport that involves climbing up a wall or rock face using specialized equipment such as ropes and harnesses. It is a physically demanding sport that requires strength, endurance, and technique. Sport climbing will be making its Olympic debut at the 2021 Tokyo Games, with three events for both men and women: speed, bouldering, and lead. In the speed event, climbers will race to the top of a 15-meter wall. In the bouldering event, climbers will attempt to climb as many fixed routes as possible on a 4-meter wall within a set time limit. In the lead event, climbers will attempt to climb as high as possible on a 15-meter wall within a set time limit.
Some key terms related to sport climbing are:
- Crimp: Holding a small edge with your fingertips
- Dyno: Jumping to a hold that is out of reach
- Stem: Using opposite pressure to hold yourself up
- Onsight: Climbing a route without falling on your first attempt
In conclusion, the newly introduced Olympic sports of skateboarding, surfing, and sport climbing are exciting additions to the 2021 Tokyo Games. These sports showcase the athleticism and skill of the athletes and provide a new level of excitement for fans around the world.
Discontinued Olympic Sports
The Olympic Games have seen many sports come and go throughout its history. Some sports have been discontinued due to lack of popularity, while others have been removed due to logistical or financial reasons. In this section, we will take a look at some of the discontinued Olympic sports, including Tug of War, Polo, Lacrosse, and Croquet.
Tug of War
Tug of War was a popular sport in the early Olympic Games. It was included in the Olympic program from 1900 to 1920. The sport involved two teams of eight athletes pulling on opposite ends of a rope. The team that pulled the rope over a designated line won the match. The sport was discontinued due to a lack of international interest and the difficulty of hosting the event.
Polo
Polo was included in the Olympic program from 1900 to 1936. The sport involved two teams of four players riding on horseback and using mallets to hit a ball into the opposing team’s goal. The sport was discontinued due to a lack of international interest and the high cost of maintaining the horses.
Lacrosse
Lacrosse was included in the Olympic program in 1904 and 1908. The sport involved two teams of ten players using sticks to pass and shoot a ball into the opposing team’s goal. The sport was discontinued due to a lack of international interest and the difficulty of hosting the event.
Croquet
Croquet was included in the Olympic program in 1900. The sport involved two teams of four players using mallets to hit balls through a series of hoops. The team that completed the course in the shortest amount of time won the match. The sport was discontinued due to a lack of international interest and the difficulty of hosting the event.
Here are some words that might help you understand the discontinued Olympic sports better:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Discontinued | No longer continued or produced |
| Logistical | Relating to the organization of something |
| Financial | Relating to money |
| Mallet | A hammer-like tool used to hit a ball |
| Hoop | A circular object used in games |
Example sentences:
- The sport of Tug of War was discontinued due to a lack of international interest.
- Polo was discontinued from the Olympic program due to the high cost of maintaining the horses.
- Lacrosse was discontinued from the Olympic program due to the difficulty of hosting the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 25 core Olympic sports?
The 25 core Olympic sports are the ones that have been included in every Summer Olympics since 1924. They are:
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Boxing
- Canoeing
- Cycling
- Diving
- Equestrian
- Fencing
- Football (Soccer)
- Gymnastics
- Handball
- Hockey
- Judo
- Modern Pentathlon
- Rowing
- Rugby Sevens
- Sailing
- Shooting
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Taekwondo
- Tennis
- Triathlon
- Volleyball
How many sports are in the Olympics list?
As of 2021, there are 33 sports in the Olympics list. They include both summer and winter sports.
What are the list of sports added to Olympics?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) adds and removes sports from the Olympics list from time to time. Some of the sports that have been added to the Olympics list in recent years include:
- Skateboarding
- Sport climbing
- Surfing
- Karate
- Baseball/Softball
- 3×3 Basketball
What are some Olympic phrases?
Here are some common Olympic phrases that you might hear during the games:
- “Opening Ceremony”
- “Closing Ceremony”
- “Medal Ceremony”
- “Gold Medal”
- “Silver Medal”
- “Bronze Medal”
- “World Record”
- “Olympic Record”
- “Flag Bearer”
- “Torch Relay”
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