The Olympic Games is the biggest sporting event in the world, bringing together athletes from various countries to compete in a range of different sports.
How many Olympic sports are there?
As of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, there are a total of 33 sports and 51 disciplines that make up the Olympic program. The 33 sports in the Olympic program are categorized into three groups including summer sports, winter sports, and mixed sports.
Summer sports are those that are contested in the warmer months, while winter sports are contested in colder months. Mixed sports are those that can be contested in both summer and winter conditions.
Summer sports are the most popular and widely recognized, with various sports, included:
- Athletics
- Aquatics
- Archery
- Badminton
- Basketball,
- Boxing
- Canoeing
- Cycling
- Equestrian
- Fencing
- Football (soccer)
- Handball
- Hockey
- Judo
On the other hand, winter sports have a total of 7 sports. These include biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating, and skiing. In addition, mixed sports, of which there is only one at the moment, is mixed relay triathlon.
It’s important to note that the sports included in the Olympic program are not permanent, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reviews and makes changes to the program every few years. New sports are sometimes added, and some are removed, to ensure that the Olympic program remains relevant and reflects the current interests and trends of the sporting world.
Weird Olympic sports
- Race Walking: While walking may seem like a normal activity, race walking is an Olympic sport that can look quite strange. Participants must maintain contact with the ground at all times, and their leading foot cannot leave the ground until their trailing foot has touched down. The result is a form of walking that can look like a bizarre hybrid of walking and running.
- Synchronized Swimming: Synchronized swimming is a sport that combines swimming, dance, and gymnastics. Athletes must perform choreographed routines that are synchronized with music. The result can be visually stunning, with athletes performing intricate moves both above and below the water’s surface.
Trampoline
Trampoline is a relatively new Olympic sport that involves performing acrobatic moves on a small trampoline. Athletes must perform a series of twists, flips, and turns, all while bouncing on the trampoline. It’s a sport that requires incredible precision and athleticism, and it can look quite bizarre to those who are unfamiliar with it.
Handball
Handball is a sport that is played on an indoor court, with teams of seven players trying to throw a ball into the opposing team’s goal. The ball can be passed, thrown, or dribbled, and players must constantly be on the move. It can be a fast-paced and exciting sport, but it can also look quite strange to those who are unfamiliar with it.
New Olympic sports
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is always looking to add new sports to the Olympic program to keep up with changing trends and interests in the sporting world.
- Olympic skateboarding
- Olympic sport climbing.
- Olympic break dancing
Top ten most popular Olympic sports
- Athletics (Track and Field
- Swimming
- Gymnastics
- Basketball
- Football (Soccer)
- Volleyball
- Boxing
- Tennis
- Table Tennis
- Badminton
Most popular winter Olympic sports
Ice Hockey
Ice hockey is one of the most popular winter Olympic sports, especially in North America and Europe. The fast-paced game is known for its physicality and high-scoring matches, which make for thrilling viewing. The sport is also notable for featuring some of the world’s best athletes, many of whom play in the National Hockey League.
Figure Skating
Figure skating is a sport that combines grace, athleticism, and artistry, making it one of the most visually stunning events in the Winter Olympics. Athletes perform spins, jumps, and choreographed routines to music, which requires both technical skill and artistic expression.
Skiing
Skiing is a broad category that includes several events, including Alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, and cross-country skiing. These sports require a combination of skill, strength, and endurance, making them some of the most challenging events in the Winter Olympics.
Most popular summer Olympic sports
Here is a list of summer Olympic sports, go through it once in order to know more.
Swimming
Swimming is a popular Olympic sport that includes events such as freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, and backstroke. Some of the most popular swimming events include the 100-meter freestyle, the 200-meter individual medley, and the 4×100-meter medley relay. Swimmers from around the world train for years to compete at the highest level, making it an exciting sport to watch.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport that has been an Olympic event since 1936. The Summer Olympics features both men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, with some of the world’s best players competing for gold.