Olympic Events By: Alfredo Trejo

The Olympics Did you know the Olympics have been existing for thousands of years? The earliest recorded Olympics date back to 776 B.C. In the 776 B.C. Olympics there was only one event called the “stade,” a sprint of about 210 yards. Some of the main Olympic sports we have now are the following: Swimming, athletics, basketball, boxing, cycling, fencing, soccer, gymnastics, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, skiing, and figure skating.

Swimming The Olympics have various swimming events. Race rules vary based on the event; sometimes only one swimmer from each team swims and sometimes more than one. The swimmer with the most gold medals won in one Olympic is Michael Phelps.

Athletics Athletics is an Olympic term that refers to track events. Almost all track events involve running but others such as the 20 Kilometer walk, or the shot put throw don’t.

Basketball Olympic basketball is the same as NBA basketball. Teams from various different countries always participate. Everyone plays to win!

Boxing Olympic Boxing is the same as regular professional boxing; it goes by the same rules. Boxers in the Olympics represent their homeland on the ring and are always going for victory.

Cycling The Olympic cycling competition features three disciplines—Mountain biking, road racing, and track racing. Mountain biking races are in mountainous trails. Road biking races are on city roads. Track biking races are on a special track made for bike tires to keep good grip to the track floor.

Fencing Fencing is very self explanatory; opponents try to hit each other with fencing swords, which are made in a way that doesn’t cut or penetrate flesh. The winner of a fencing match is determined by judges who look at how many hits a fencer receives and at their moves.

Soccer Same rules as regular world class soccer. 45 minute halves. Two yellow cards, or a one red card and you are out of the game. Countries from all over the world participate in Olympic soccer.

Gymnastics Two types of gymnastics. Artistic gymnastics, and obstacle. Artistic gymnasts show their skills on a flat floor while on the other hand obstacle gymnasts have to use obstacles such as trampolines to show their skills.

Table Tennis Also known as ping-pong. Olympic table tennis can be played as a single or in teams. In a 1 on 1 match the best of 7 games wins. In a team match the best of 5 games wins.

Tennis Olympic tennis can be played as a single or in teams. The first side to win two sets wins the match. Score goes by increments of 15.

Volleyball Olympic matches consist of two teams of six players each going against each other. The first team to reach 25 points wins the match.

Skiing The two main types of Olympic skiing are maneuver skiing and race skiing. Maneuver skiing is based on landing impressive tricks or stunts on skies. Race skiing is based on speed; the first one to the finish line wins.

Figure Skating Olympic figure skating is done as single, or in couples. Figure skaters skate on ice and perform ballet-like moves. Their goal is to impress a set of judges that give them a qualification.

My Olympic Beliefs I believe the Olympics are one of the things that show humanity how the world can unite and be similar in order to participate and compete in a variety of different sports and athletic activities. THE END