By Rebecca Siems

Modern Summer Olympic Games Locations Paris, France St. Louis, United States London, England Stockholm, Sweden originally located in Berlin, Germany, however, it was Cancelled due to World War I Antwerp, Belgium Paris, France Amsterdam, Netherlands Los Angeles, United States Berlin, Germany Originally held in Tokyo, then in Helsinki, and cancelled due to World War II Originally in London, England, and cancelled due to WWII London, England Helsinki, Finland Melbourne, Australia Rome, Italy Tokyo, Japan Mexico City, Mexico Munich, West Germany 1976-Montreal, Canada Moscow, Soviet Union Los Angeles, United States Seoul, South Korea Barcelona, Spain Atlanta, United States Sydney, Australia Athens, Greece Beijing, China London, England Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Tokyo, Japan

Cumulative Medal Count 1.) United States medals 2.) Soviet Union medals 3.) Great Britain- 780 medals 4.) France- 670 medals 5.) Germany- 573 medals 6.) Italy- 550 medals 7.) Sweden- 483 medals 8.) Hungary- 475 medals 9.)China- 472 medals 10.) Australia- 467 medals USA athletes have won 974 golds, 757 silvers, and 668 bronzes throughout 26 attended Olympic games!

Major Controversies -Germany was not invited to the Olympic Games in 1920 and In 1972, the Soviets beat the US by one point in their third attempt to score with three seconds left on the clock. First, the Soviet coach interrupted the game and argued to get a time out that their team was due. Next, USA won after the Soviets failed to score within three seconds. However, the clock was not properly reset so the play was considered invalid. A Soviet layup on the third attempt won them the gold. The USA men’s basketball team refused their silver medals. - In 1980, Jimmy Carter issued a boycott of the games along with 61 other countries, as the games were held in Moscow. We refuse to play with the enemy. - In 1984, the Soviet Union and 14 allies boycotted the Olympics held in Los Angeles. Enemies are not meant to play 400 meter dashes with each other. - In 1988, North Korea boycotted the Olympics in Seoul. Boycotting the games seems to have been a trend in the 80’s. -In 1996, the Centennial Olympic Park was bombed.

James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens -Competed in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin - Specialized in sprints and long jump - Won a gold medal in 100 meter, 200 meters, 4x100 relay, and long jump - “I let my feet spend as little time on the ground as possible. From the air, fast down, and from the ground, fast up.” Owens revealed was the secret to his success. - Was revoked of his amateur status, and therefore unable to attend the Olympics in Sweden after he took up commercial offers.

Mary Lou Retton -Competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles -Won bronze in Uneven Bars and Floor Exercise, Silver in Vault and with the US team, and gold in the All Around - First gymnast from outside Eastern Europe the win the gold medal in the Olympics all around -Appeared in television advertisements supporting Ronald Reagan - First female athlete to appear on a Wheaties cereal box

Michael Phelps -Most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 22 medals - Has a total of 22 medals, 18 of which are gold. - Won 8 straight gold medals in Beijing Was the most successful athlete for 3 Olympics in a row. - World record holder in 100 meter butterfly, 200 meter butterfly, and 400 meter individual medley - Swims Backstroke, butterfly, freestyle, and individual medley

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