Time table and Result

Date Time Sex Event Round Status
07/03 10:00 M Shot Put Qualification Startlist Results .
07/03 10:05 M High Jump Qualification Startlist Results .
07/03 10:10 W Triple Jump Qualification Startlist Results .
07/03 10:15 W 3000 Metres Heats Startlist Results .
07/03 10:55 M 3000 Metres Heats Startlist Results .
07/03 11:45 W 60 Metres Hurdles Pentathlon Startlist Results Summary
07/03 12:00 W 60 Metres Heats Startlist Results .
07/03 12:15 M Long Jump Qualification Startlist Results .
07/03 12:30 W High Jump Pentathlon Startlist Results Summary
07/03 12:45 M 60 Metres Heats Startlist Results .
Afternoon session
Date Time Sex Event Round Status
07/03 16:15 W Shot Put Pentathlon Startlist Results Summary
07/03 17:00 W Pole Vault Qualification Startlist Results .
07/03 17:10 W 60 Metres Semi-Final Startlist Results .
07/03 17:25 W Long Jump Pentathlon Startlist Results Summary
07/03 17:30 M 60 Metres Semi-Final Startlist Results .
07/03 17:55 W 800 Metres Heats Startlist Results .
07/03 18:20 M 800 Metres Heats Startlist Results .
07/03 18:30 M Shot Put Final Startlist Results .
07/03 18:50 M Triple Jump Qualification Startlist Results .
07/03 19:00 M 400 Metres Heats Startlist Results .
07/03 19:30 W 400 Metres Heats Startlist Results .
07/03 20:00 M 1500 Metres Heats Startlist Results .
07/03 20:25 W 60 Metres Final Startlist Results .
07/03 20:35 W 800 Metres Pentathlon Startlist Results Summary
07/03 20:45 M 60 Metres Final Startlist Results .
Results in txt forma

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With elusive title in hand, Soboleva breaks the 'deadlock'
Valencia, Spain - For Yelena Soboleva, tonight's 1500m World record came only as a bonus.

The 25-year-old Russian revealed that she only thought about the gold medal and not about the record when she stormed to a superb 1500m victory in Valencia. But with a new all-time best indoors of 3:57.71 she crowned the final day of the IAAF World Indoor Championships.

“I did not expect to break the World record," Soboleva said. "I was running for gold."

It was the third time that Soboleva lowered the World indoor 1500m standard. Two years ago she had improved on the pre-Soboleva best of 3:59.98 to 3:58.28 in Moscow. This year she lowered it yet again at the Russian Championships in the capital, to 3:58.05.

But in contrast to her two World records previous to Valencia Soboleva had never won a major championship. Two years ago she had entered the World Indoors in Moscow as the big favourite but was then beaten by her fellow countrywoman Yuliya Chizhenko. After that silver medal it becmae even worse at the European Chamionships final in Gothenburg later that year. In Sweden she could only finish fourth after she had improved her outdoor best to 3:56.43. Last year it was a similar story, although she at least won a silver medal in Osaka. Soboleva had entered the event leading the world lists with 3:57.30 which remained the fastest time of the year. But then she could not cope in the end of the race when Bahrain’s Maryam Jamal stormed past her to take the gold.

So finally, Soboleva has broken the deadlook. And she could not have accomplished that in a more impressive way.

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entry Rules

* Each Member is entitled to enter up to three competitors in each event of the Championships, provided all have achieved the corresponding entry standard, but only two will be permitted to compete (except the Combined Events and the Relays - see below).

* For the Combined Events, eight (8) athletes will be invited by the IAAF in the Heptathlon and in the Pentathlon as follows:

* The top 4 athletes from the 2007 Outdoor Lists (as at December 31st 2007), limited to a maximum of one per country.

* The top 4 athletes from the 2008 Indoor Lists (as at February 18th 2008).

* In total no more than two male and two female athletes from any one Member Federation will be invited. Upon refusals or cancellations, the invitations shall be extended to the next ranked athletes in the same lists respecting the above conditions.

* For the Relays, each Member Federation will be able to enter up to 6 athletes in each team.

* Members who have no male and/or no female qualified athletes whom they wish to enter in any event may enter one unqualified male athlete and/or one unqualified female athlete in one event except the Combined Events.

* The acceptance of unqualified entries in the Field Events is at the discretion of the Technical Delegates.

* Youth athletes (any athlete aged 16 or 17 years on 31 December in the year of the competion) CANNOT be entered in the Men's Shot Put.

* Athletes younger than 16 ye

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valenca 2008

Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 UNITED STATES (USA)
5 5 3 13
2 RUSSIA (RUS)
5 4 3 12
3 ETHIOPIA (ETH)
3 1 2 6
4 GREAT BRITAIN & N.I.
1 4 0 5
5 CUBA (CUB)
1 1 1 3
6 SOUTH AFRICA (RSA)
1 1 0 2
6 SWEDEN (SWE)
1 1 0 2
8 AUSTRALIA (AUS)
1 0 1 2
8 PORTUGAL (POR)
1 0 1 2

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IAAF World Indoor Championships Valencia, Spain 7/9 March 2008 Entry Standards - Women

Event Indoor Outdoor
60 Metres 7.37 11.25 (100m)
400 Metres 53.00 51.00
800 Metres 2:04.00 2:00.00
1500 Metres 4:16.00
or 4:33.00 (Mile) 4:05.00
or 4:23.00 (Mile)
3000 Metres 9:05.00 8:40.00
or 15:05.00 (5000m)
4x400 Metres Relay No standard No standard
60 Metres Hurdles 8.20 12.95 (100mH)
High Jump 1.92m -
Pole Vault 4.40m -
Long Jump 6.65m -
Triple Jump 14.05m -
Shot Put 17.50m -

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Little Athletics Events

Available Little Athletics events vary between age groups and from state to state. The following represents the breadth of events available, but not all are available in any given state.

* Sprints: 70 m, 100 m,200 m, 300 m, 60 m Hurdles, 80 m Hurdles, 90 m Hurdles, 100 m Hurdles, 200 m Hurdles, 300 m Hurdles
* Distance: 400 m, 800 m, 1500 m, 3000 m, 700 m Walk, 1100 m Walk, 1500 m Walk
* Relays: 4x100 m Relay, 4x200 m Relay, 4x400 m Relay
* Throws: Shot Put, Discus,Javelin
* Jumps: Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump
* Multi-Event (pentathlon)
* Cross-Country: 1000 m, 1500 m, 2000 m, 3000 m

In addition, some states hold learning programs designed to develop the skills of young athletes in the U/6-U/7 age groups.

Some states (NSW, SA) also provide activities for younger siblings 3 to 5 years of age known as 'Tiny Tots'. Tiny Tots consists of games and activities that have an emphasis on learning the skills of running, jumping and throwing that are important parts of the athletic events in the older age groups.

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Wrestling Training

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Wrestling

Wrestling is the act of physical engagement between two people in which each wrestler strives to get an advantage over, or control of, the opponent. Physical techniques which embody the style of wrestling are clinching, holding, locking, and leverage. Avoiding techniques likely to lead to serious injury, the basic principles of wrestling are closely related to those of military hand-to-hand combat or self-defence systems.

Many styles of wrestling are known all over the world and have long histories. Amateur wrestling has been an Olympic sport for over one hundred years and professional wrestling is a popular form of entertainment as well as an art form.

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High Jump Training

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Symonds recalled to Australian cricket team

Allrounder Andrew Symonds has been recalled to the Australian cricket squad for the first test against New Zealand in Brisbane starting next Thursday.

The Queenslander replaced legspinner Cameron White as the only newcomer from the recent tour of India where they lost the test series 0-2.

Symonds missed the tour for penalizing reasons after he missed a team meeting in Darwin during the previous series against Bangladesh when he went fishing.

Despite a lean early season with the bat, he was included in the 13-man squad alongside fellow-allrounder Shane Watson who had a solid tour of India.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Jason Krejza, Stuart Clark, Peter Siddle.

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Little Athletics Events

Available Little Athletics events vary between age groups and from state to state. The following represents the breadth of events available, but not all are available in any given state.

* Sprints: 70 m, 100 m,200 m, 300 m, 60 m Hurdles, 80 m Hurdles, 90 m Hurdles, 100 m Hurdles, 200 m Hurdles, 300 m Hurdles
* Distance: 400 m, 800 m, 1500 m, 3000 m, 700 m Walk, 1100 m Walk, 1500 m Walk
* Relays: 4x100 m Relay, 4x200 m Relay, 4x400 m Relay
* Throws: Shot Put, Discus,Javelin
* Jumps: Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump
* Multi-Event (pentathlon)
* Cross-Country: 1000 m, 1500 m, 2000 m, 3000 m

In addition, some states hold learning programs designed to develop the skills of young athletes in the U/6-U/7 age groups.

Some states (NSW, SA) also provide activities for younger siblings 3 to 5 years of age known as 'Tiny Tots'. Tiny Tots consists of games and activities that have an emphasis on learning the skills of running, jumping and throwing that are important parts of the athletic events in the older age groups.

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UK Athletics

UK Athletics is the governing body for the sport of athletics in the United Kingdom.

UK Athletics was founded in 1999 as a successor to the British Athletics Federation, which had collapsed for financial reasons.

Following Great Britain's worst performance at a European Athletics Championship for twenty years, CEO and former long distance runner David Moorcroft announced on 24 August 2006 that he would step down from his position at UK Athletics: "I am convinced that I am taking the right decision at the right time." The results in Gothenburg (not one individual gold medal being obtained) were the latest in a string of disappointing medal hauls at major championships with the London 2012 Olympics looming large on the horizon.

On 9 January 2007 businessman Ed Warner was named chairman. The president remains Lynn Davies, the former British Olympic champion long jumper.

UK Athletics is also responsible for governing over the countries' Athletics Officials.

UK Athletics has Norwich Union as its principal sponsor.

Athletics clubs, coaches, teachers and competitions can be found at www.ukathletics.net The official site of UK Athletics.

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Introduction to Athletic Gear

Athletes count their gear--from clothing to accessories--as an important part of their respective sports. Athletic gear enhances the athlete in a myriad of ways, from performance to looks. As such, professional athletes and sports aficionados alike invest in their gear. Also, ordinary, non-athlete people use athletic gear in their casual attire, making these clothing and equipment fashion pieces as well.

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Athletic trainers

Athletic trainers help prevent and treat injuries for people of all ages. Their clients include everyone from professional athletes to industrial workers. Recognized by the American Medical Association as allied health professionals, athletic trainers specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. Athletic trainers often are one of the first heath care providers on the scene when injuries occur, and therefore they must be able to recognize, evaluate, and assess injuries and provide immediate care when needed. They also are heavily involved in the rehabilitation and reconditioning of injuries. Athletic trainers should not be confused with fitness trainers or personal trainers, who are not health care workers, but rather train people to become physically fit.

Athletic trainers often help prevent injuries by advising on the proper use of equipment and applying protective or injury-preventive devices such as tape, bandages, and braces. Injury prevention also often includes educating people on what they should do to avoid putting themselves at risk for injuries.

Athletic trainers work under the supervision of a licensed physician, and in cooperation with other health care providers. The level of medical supervision varies, depending upon the setting. Some athletic trainers meet with the team physician or consulting physician once or twice a week; others interact with a physician every day. The extent of the supervision ranges from discussing specific injuries and treatment options with a physician to performing evaluations and treatments as directed by a physician.

Athletic trainers often have administrative responsibilities. These may include regular meetings with an athletic director or other administrative officer to deal with budgets, purchasing, policy implementation, and other business-related issues.

Work environment. The work of athletic trainers requires frequent interaction with others. This includes consulting with physicians as well as frequent contact with athletes and patients to discuss and administer treatments, rehabilitation programs, injury-preventive practices, and other health-related issues. Many athletic trainers work indoors most of the time; others, especially those in some sports-related jobs, spend much of their time working outdoors. The job also might require standing for long periods, working with medical equipment or machinery, and being able to walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, or crawl. Travel may be required.

Schedules vary by work setting. Athletic trainers in nonsports settings generally have an established schedule—usually about 40 to 50 hours per week—with nights and weekends off. Athletic trainers working in hospitals and clinics may spend part of their time working at other locations doing outreach. Most commonly, these outreach programs include conducting athletic training services and speaking at high schools, colleges, and commercial businesses.

Athletic trainers in sports settings have schedules that are longer and more variable. These athletic trainers must be present for team practices and games, which often are on evenings and weekends, and their schedules can change on short notice when games and practices have to be rescheduled. As a result, athletic trainers in sports settings may regularly work 6 or 7 days per week, including late hours.

In high schools, athletic trainers who also teach may work 60 to 70 hours a week, or more. In National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I colleges and universities, athletic trainers generally work with one team; when that team’s sport is in season, working at least 50 to 60 hours a week is common. Athletic trainers in smaller colleges and universities often work with several teams and have teaching responsibilities. During the off-season, a 40-hour to 50-hour work week may be normal in most settings. Athletic trainers for professional sports teams generally work the most hours per week. During training camps, practices, and competitions, they may be required to work up to 12 hours a day.

There is some stress involved with being an athletic trainer, as there is with most health-related occupations. Athletic trainers are responsible for their clients’ health, and sometimes have to make quick decisions that could affect the health or career of their clients. Athletics trainers also can be affected by the pressure to win that is typical of competitive sports teams.

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Racing flats

Racing flats or simply flats, are lightweight athletic shoes designed for long distance track and field, cross country, and most often - road races. They differ from normal training shoes mainly by the lack of a substantial heel (hence the name). They are also a great deal less durable and typically last half to a quarter of the distance of a normal training shoe (125-250 miles or 200-400 kilometers). The removal of the heel in racing flats has 4 principal effects: weight reduction, better foot to ground power transfer, providing less support and giving less cushioning. These features allow a runner to race more efficiently.

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2008 Summer Olympics

The 2008 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, People's Republic of China, from August 8 (except football, which started on August 6) to August 24, 2008. A total of 10,500 athletes competed in 302 events in 28 sports, one event more than was on the schedule of the 2004 Games. The 2008 Beijing Olympics marked the first occasion that either the Summer or Winter Games were hosted in China, making it the 22nd nation to do so. It also became the third time that Olympic events have been held in the territories of two different National Olympic Committees (NOC), as the equestrian events were being held in Hong Kong (the other two instances being the 1956 games, where the equestrian events were hosted in Stockholm, Sweden, due to strict Australian quarantine rules, and the other events were hosted in Melbourne, Australia; and the 1920 games which were hosted in Antwerp, Belgium, but the final two races of the 12ft dinghy event in sailing were held in The Netherlands).

The Olympic Games were awarded to Beijing after an exhaustive ballot of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on July 13, 2001. The official logo of the Games, titled "Dancing Beijing," features a stylised calligraphic character jīng (京, meaning capital), referring to the host city. Several new NOCs have also been recognised by the IOC.

The Chinese government promoted the Games and invested heavily in new facilities and transportation systems. A total of 37 venues were used to host the events including 12 newly constructed venues. At the closing ceremony IOC president Jacques Rogge declared the event a "truly exceptional Games" after earlier asserting that the IOC had "absolutely no regrets" in choosing Beijing to host the 2008 Games. The choice of China as a host country was the subject of criticism by some politicians and NGOs concerned about China's human rights record. China and others, meanwhile, warned against politicizing the Olympics.

The Games saw 43 new world records and 132 new Olympic records set. A record 87 countries won a medal during the Games. Chinese athletes won 51 gold medals altogether, the second largest haul by a national team in a modern, non-boycotted Summer Games. Michael Phelps broke the record for most golds in one Olympics and for most career gold medals for an Olympian. Usain Bolt secured the traditional title "World's Fastest Man" by setting new world records in the 100m and 200m dashes.

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Wigan Athletic Football Club

Wigan Athletic Football Club is a professional football team based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. They compete in the Premier League, the highest division of football in England, in which they have been playing since their promotion from the Football League in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history. They play at the JJB Stadium, which they share with the rugby league club Wigan Warriors. The club is the youngest in its division, being only 76 years old..

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FOOTBALLERS TAKE NEXT STEPS

The first cohort of former professional footballers has taken the next steps along their potential route from Pitch2Podium. The programme, backed by the football authorities and run by the English Institute of Sport (EIS) and UK Sport, aims to re-assign released young footballers into alternative Olympic sports. At the initial Olympic Talent Assessments in July, twenty-three players were short-listed for six targeted sports. September saw those identified for Flat-water Canoe and Skeleton gain first hand experience into the prospective Olympic journey that lays ahead.

Three athletes got the opportunity to attend a special Canoe Talent Assessment day at the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierre Point, Nottingham. Here, they were taken through a specific battery of tests designed to assess the myriad of characteristics required for World Class performance. Assessment included specific physiological tests looking to identify whether their capabilities could match those of current Olympians, following which the boys took to the water as coaches viewed their ability to learn the skills required. Their performances over the day made an immediate impression on GB Canoe Coach Alex Nikonorov.

“It’s great to see such talented athletes” he said. “Their general physicality is very impressive, as is their potential to learn canoeing skills quickly. As an Olympic coach this is very exciting and leads me to believe they have every chance of making rapid progress towards London 2012 given the right environment.”

Those impressing on and off the water have been invited to partake in a longer, more intensive, Talent Confirmation programme. This will be under the watchful eye of Olympic coaches and sports scientists who will meticulously track their progression in the sport.

Later that month, nine athletes made the journey to Bath to attend a special two day British Skeleton Talent camp. After surpassing the required Phase one targets set by the sport, further assessments were undertaken. Coaches worked very closely with the athletes to measure their Skeleton potential, with a particular focus being on their push-start.

From this, four athletes have been selected to attend a special skeleton familiarisation camp in Cesana, the site of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics. The camp will involve a more extensive investigation into their ability to learn new skills as well as their responsiveness to working on ice.

Skeleton Talent Coach Greg Kirk has been pleased with the progress so far. “We saw boys at Phase two go way beyond their comfort zone, excelling in activities that are not ‘normal’ for them” he said.

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Little Master Breaks Lara's Record

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Hurdles

Hurdling is a type of track and field race. There are sprint hurdle races and long hurdle races. The standard sprint hurdle race is 110 metres for men and 100 metres for women. The standard long hurdle race is 400 metres for both men and women. Each of these races is run over ten hurdles and they are all Olympic events.

Other distances are sometimes run, particularly indoors. The sprint hurdle race indoors is usually 60 metres for both men and women, although races 55 meters or 50 metres long are sometimes run. A 60 metre indoor race is run over 5 hurdles. A shorter race may have only 4 hurdles. The long hurdle race is sometimes shortened to 300 metres or 200 metres, usually for indoor or high school races.

There are two basic hurdle heights: high hurdles and intermediate hurdles. The sprint hurdle races (60 m, 100 m and 110 m) use high hurdles, which are 42 inches (1.07 m) high (39 inches, or 0.99 m, in U.S. high school competition) for men and 33 inches (.84 m) high for women. Long hurdle races (400 m) use intermediate hurdles, which are 36 inches (.914 m) high for men and 30 inches (.762 m) high for women. Slightly lower heights (generally 3 inches (76 mm) lower) are sometimes used in youth or high school events.

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Indoor athletics

There are two seasons for track and field. There is an indoor season, run during the winter and an outdoor season, run during the spring. Most indoor tracks are 200 metres and consist of four to six lanes. There are also some 150 metre indoor tracks, and others as small as 120 metres have been used. Some "oversize tracks" (larger than 200 metres) are popular for American collegiate athletics despite the fact that they are not considered valid for setting indoor records. Often an indoor track will have banked turns to compensate for the tight radius of the turns.

In an indoor track meet athletes contest the same track events as at an outdoor meet, with the exception of the 100 m and 110 m/100 m hurdles (replaced by the 55 or 60 m sprint and 55 or 60 m hurdles at most levels, or the 55 m sprint and hurdles at the high school level), the 10,000 m run, 3,000 m steeplechase, 400 m hurdles. Indoor meets also have the addition of a 3,000 m run normally at both the collegiate and elite level, instead of the 10,000 m. The 5,000 m is the longest event commonly run indoors, although there are situations where longer distances have been raced. In the mid 20th century, there was a series of "duel" races on Madison Square Garden's indoor track, some of which featured two men racing a marathon (42.2 km). However, this is an extremely rare occurrence, for obvious reasons. In some occasions, there may also be a 500 m race instead of the open 400 m normally found outdoors, and in many college championship races indoors both are contested.

In field events, indoor meets only feature the high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, and shot put (weight throw). Due to space limitations, these events take place on the infield, within the circumferential track. The longer throws of javelin, hammer and discus are added only for outdoor meets, as there is normally not enough space in an indoor stadium to house these events.

Other events unique to indoor meets (especially in North America) are the 300 m, 600m, 1000 m, and 35 lb (16 kg) weight throw. In some countries, notably Norway, standing long jump and standing high jump are also contested, even in the National Championships.

For multi-event athletes there is the Pentathlon for women (consisting of 60 m hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and 800 m) and heptathlon for men (consisting of 60 m, long jump, shot put, high jump, 60 m hurdles, pole vault and 1000 m) indoors.

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Gym

The gym has a range of equipment including a treadmill, resistance equipment and free weights. It is fully accessible to people with disabilities and includes a weightlifting platform to allow the use of free weights under appropriate supervision. New users of the gym must complete an induction before using the gym equipment.

The young athletes aged eight years and above will be introduced to athletics and taken through a combination of coached activities that can lead on to participation at competition events.

Ideal for children who want to get their first taste of athletics. The emphasis is on fun and enjoyment, learning about how the body works and the skills associated with all the different athletics events.

To further skills learnt at junior level, senior sessions give young athletes the chance to develop skills associated with different running, jumping and throwing events with the opportunity to train and compete in upcoming events.

Supervised sessions offer a mix of gym and track based activities, plus a daytime session which is ideal for older adults.

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Optical theory

The Muslim scientist, Ibn al-Haytham (965-1040), known as Alhacen or Alhazen in the West, in his Book of Optics (1021), developed a broad theory that explained vision, using geometry and anatomy, which stated that each point on an illuminated area or object radiates light rays in every direction, but that only one ray from each point, which strikes the eye perpendicularly, can be seen. The other rays strike at different angles and are not seen. He described the pinhole camera and invented the camera obscura, which produces an inverted image, and used it as an example to support his argument.[3] This contradicted Ptolemy's theory of vision that objects are seen by rays of light emanating from the eyes. Alhacen held light rays to be streams of minute energy particles[4] that travelled at a finite speed.[5][6][7] He improved Ptolemy's theory of the refraction of light, and went on to discover the laws of refraction.

He also carried out the first experiments on the dispersion of light into its constituent colors. His major work Kitab al-Manazir (Book of Optics) was translated into Latin in the Middle Ages, as well his book dealing with the colors of sunset. He dealt at length with the theory of various physical phenomena like shadows, eclipses, the rainbow. He also attempted to explain binocular vision, and gave a correct explanation of the apparent increase in size of the sun and the moon when near the horizon, known as the moon illusion. Because of his extensive experimental research on optics, Ibn al-Haytham is considered the "father of modern optics".[8]

Ibn al-Haytham also correctly argued that we see objects because the sun's rays of light, which he believed to be streams of tiny energy particles[4] travelling in straight lines, are reflected from objects into our eyes.[5] He understood that light must travel at a large but finite velocity,[5][6][7] and that refraction is caused by the velocity being different in different substances.[5] He also studied spherical and parabolic mirrors, and understood how refraction by a lens will allow images to be focused and magnification to take place. He understood mathematically why a spherical mirror produces aberration.

Avicenna (980-1037) agreed that the speed of light is finite, as he "observed that if the perception of light is due to the emission of some sort of particles by a luminous source, the speed of light must be finite."[9] Abū Rayhān al-Bīrūnī (973-1048) also agreed that light has a finite speed, and he was the first to discover that the speed of light is much faster than the speed of sound.[10] In the late 13th and early 14th centuries, Qutb al-Din al-Shirazi (1236-1311) and his student Kamāl al-Dīn al-Fārisī (1260-1320) continued the work of Ibn al-Haytham, and they were the first to give the correct explanations for the rainbow phenomenon.[10]

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Barcelona 1992

In Barcelona 1992 Olympics, the basketball for men was opened for all professionals and a dream team was sent by US that includes magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Larry bird. Almost, athletes from 169 nations were participated in Barcelona 1992 Olympics that consist of 257 events. The gymnast vitally scherbo won the six gold medals including record four in one day. Derartu tulu of Ethiopia won the 10,000 run and she was the first female black African Olympic champion. Her victory lap with silver medalist Elana Meyer white South African, symbolized hope for future Olympic movement. Almost, 9356 athletes participated out of that 2704 were women and the remaining were men.

34,548 volunteers, 13082 media 5,131 were written press and 7,951 were broadcasters also included in Barcelona 1992 Olympics. The official opening was made by majesty king Juan Carlos I, lighting by Antonio rebollo, Olympic oath by Luis doreste Blanco and official oath by Eugenie asencio.

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London 2012

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a great sporting and cultural event. The council aims to get the greatest possible benefit for local residents since London’s council-tax payers will be contributing to funding the games. Ealing plays a key role as part of the West London Alliance to maximising the benefits of the games for those living and working in the borough. This is recognised further through Ealing’s representation on the Association of London Government’s 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Committee.

Ealing has many sports clubs run by volunteers, who help to develop our young sporting talent. Some of these young people have already been identified as potential London 2012 competitors. The council’s athletics track in Perivale Park is already taking part in the British Olympic Association’s Passport Scheme to assist elite athletes to prepare for the next Olympic and Paralympic Games.

London 2012

Information on all aspects of the games including how to become a volunteer, where and when events will take place, progress on the building of venues and transport plans.

Celebrate the 1908 West London Marathon

Celebrate the historic 1908 West London Marathon by recording your run, cycle, swim or row along the original marathon route. Register to record the distance you complete in any sporting or physical activity. Challenge friends and family, use it in the gym or while you’re out walking.

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Seoul 1988

The Seoul 1988 Olympics started amazing with 159 nations, 8391 athletes out of that 2194 women and the remaining men, 237 events, 27221 volunteers and 11331 media in that 4978 written press and 6353 broadcasters. On 2 October 1988, the official opening of the game was done President Roh Tae-woo, Olympic Oath by Hur Jae, Son Mi-na, official oath by Lee Hak-rae (judo), lighting by Chong Son-man, Kim Won-tak, Son Mi-jong and during the closing ceremony the Korean dancers ends the show excellently.

Christa Luding Rothenburger won the silver medal in cycling and placed the history of winter and summer medals in the same year. Greg Louganis been successful in his driving events and Florence Griffith Joyner dominates the sprints and in dressage, the medalists were women.

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Los Angeles 1984 Olympics

Joan benoit won the inaugural women’s marathon and Connie carpenter phinney was the first women who won cycling road race. Carl Lewis holds medal for sprints and long jump and won fourth gold in 4 x 100m relay. In single sculls rowing, pertti karppinen won for third time. In men’s 1500m, the winner was Sebastian Coe and in paraplegic athlete, the winner was Archer Neroli Fairhall who competed in wheelchair.

The Los Angeles Olympics started grandly with exciting shows, dances and ceremonies. Almost, people from different nations came to watch the game and they were enjoying like anything. In Los Angeles, the Olympics was started on 28 july 1984 with 221 events and 9190 media also joined their hands to telecast the shows, games to the people all over the world. Hardly 6829 athletes from 140 nations participated out of that 1,566 were women and 5,263 were men with 28,742 volunteers and 9,190 media.

The official opening was done by president of United States of America Ronald Reagon and the lighting of flame by Rafer Johnson and Olympic oath by Edwin Moses and official oath by Sharon Weber.

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Moscow 1980 Olympic Game

The Moscow 1980 Olympics was started amazingly with great wonders, excitements among the people. On July 19, the Moscow Olympics was started with official opening by President Leonid Brezhnev, lighting flame by segei beloy, Olympic oath by nikolay andrianov and official oath by aleksandr ledved. Hardly, 5179 athletes from 80 nations participated in 203 events out of that 1115 were women and 4064 were men.

Vladimir salnikov won three gold medals in 400m freestyle, 4 x 200m relay and 1500m. This is the first time; the swimmer has swum 1500m in under 150 minutes. After eight years, he would make an extraordinary comeback by wining 1500m. Aleksandr Dityatin won medals in men’s gymnastics and in heavyweight boxing, Teófilo Stevenson became the first boxer.

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Montreal 1976

The Montreal Olympics takes place on 17 July 1976 with awesome opening ceremony. Hardly, 6084 athletes out 1260 women and 4284 men from 92 nations participated in the Olympics competition. In Montreal 1976, official opening was done by majesty queen Elizabeth II and the lighting was performed by stephane prefontaine and Sandra Henderson.

In boxing heavyweight event, Clarence Hill of Bermuda won the bronze medal. Miklos Németh of Hungary won the javelin throw and his father imre won the hammer throw in 1948. Successfully 198 events were conducted for the athletes to encourage and motivate their talents in different sports activities. The Japanese women’s win the volleyball and Klaus Dibiasi of Italy won the gold medal in platform diving. Women events like basketball, rowing and handball were included for the first time. Viktor saneyev of soviet Georgia won the third triple jump gold and Irene szewinska of Poland won seven medals in five different events.

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Munich 1972

The Munich 1972 Olympic Games were the largest setting records in all categories with 195 events, 7173 athletes from 121 nations. They celebrated peace and, for the first ten days, all indeed go well. But, at 5 September early morning, eight Palestinian terrorists broke into the Olympic Village, killed two members of the Israeli team and took nine more prisoners. The Archery was reintroduced to Olympic after 52 years and handball after 36 years. Whitewater canoeing and kayaking was included for the first time in Munich.

In the Munich Games the tiny Soviet gymnast, Olga Korbut, whose dramatic cycle of success in the team competition, failure in the individual competition and renewed success in the apparatus finals captured the attention of fans worldwide. On 26 August 1972, Opening Ceremony was made. Athlet Günter Zahn lights the Olympic Flame on the Olympic ceremony and the Olympic oath was taken by Heidi schuller (athletics). The official opening of the Olympics was made by President Gustav Heinemann. 195 events were conducted in the Olympics and 7134 athletes participated out of that 1059 women and 6075 men.

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Mexico 1968

Bob Beamon’s stunning long jump of 8.90m last the world record for 22 years. The Mexico Olympics, the first Summer Games includes sex testing for women, were blessed with many outstanding heroines. Enriqueta Basilio, the Mexican hurdler lights the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony. Poland Eulalia Rolinska, Peru’s Gladys de Seminario and Nuria Ortiz of Mexico were the first women competing in the shooting.

The profound air proved disastrous many athletes to compete the endurance events. The high altitude led to world records of men races that were 400m or shorter inclusive of both relays and 400m hurdles. Even for long jump and triple jump, 400m were profound.

Wyomia tyus of US became the winner of 100m dash. Vera caslavska, the Czech gymnast was announced to the most popular athlete of 1968 Olympics. Al oerter of United States won the discus throw for the forth time. Hardly 112 nations participated for 172 events. 5516 athletes participated in the Olympic Games, out of that 781 women and 4735 men enjoyed the games.

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Basketball - Olympic sports

Since 1936, basketball doesn’t enter the Olympic game for the period of 36 years. In the year 1972, basketball entered the Olympics as full medal sport for men. The US ruled the game and the question arises who would win. The players look awesome with the basketball gears and the Soviet Union won the gold in the controversial 1972 game.

After the semi final victory for the Soviets in 1988, the sport opened to professionals. Once again, the question arises on basketball net that who would finish second. In Barcelona in 1992, with some of the world's best-known athletes - Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird - the gold-medal winning US "Dream Team" gave an exhibition of basketball at its best.

The women’s basketball joined the Olympic program in 1976, the gold medals have been divided between US and the Soviet Union. After winning a bronze medal in Atlanta and Silver medal in Sydney, Australia may have their quest for the podium as well as traditional powerhouse Brazil.

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Tokyo 1964

The 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games were the first to be held in Asia. After World War II, the Japanese expressed their successful in the final torchbearer Yoshinori Sakai who born in Hiroshima the day the city was destroyed by atomic bomb. In the Olympic program, judo and volleyball were introduced. Abebe bikila of Ethiopia became the winner of marathon. Russian rower Vyacheslav Ivanov won the single sculls for the third time, Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser won the 100m freestyle for the third time in Tokyo Olympics. Al Oerter of the United States won the Olympics for discus throwing despite of cervical disc injury in his neck.

The Hungarian, Greco-Roman wrestler Imre Polyak, won the gold medal after finishing second in the same division at the previous three Olympics. Winning two medals in the Tokyo, larysa latynina of Ukraine won medal with incredible 18.

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Rome 1960

Fifty-four years after Italy had to give up hosting the Olympics, Rome finally got its chance. Paul Elvstrom of Denmark won the gold medal in the single-handed dinghy class yachting for the fourth consecutive time in its history. Hungarian fencer Aladar Gerevich succeeded his sixth consecutive gold medal in the team sabre event. The athletes well used the athletic gear for volleyball, badminton, basketball and for other Olympic games. In canoeing, Sweden’s Gert Fredriksson holds his position with its sixth gold medal. Yugoslavia qualified for finals by winning coin toss and won the football tournament after losing in the final three times.

The Italian Sante Gaiardoni became the only cyclist in Olympic history in both time trial and the match sprint events. Using the boxing gloves, techniques and boxing shoes, Clement "Ike" Quartey of Ghana won the silver medal in light welter weight boxing and he was the first black African Olympic medalist.

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Melbourne / Stockholm 1956

Melbourne won the right to host the 1956 Olympic game by one vote over Buenos Aires. Australian volleyball rules laws were too severe, so the equestrian events were held separately. The Melbourne Games were the first to be held in the southern hemisphere. In boxing, Laszlo Papp of Hungary wearing boxing gloves became the first boxer to win three gold medals. American Pat McCormick won both diving events, just as she had in 1952. Two athletic players dominated the gymnastics competition. On the men’s, Ukrainian Viktor Chukarin earned five medals, including three gold, to bring his career total to eleven medals, seven of them gold and on women Agnes Keleti of Hungary brought her career total to ten medals by winning four gold medals and two silver.

The U.S. basketball team, led by Bill Russell and K.C. Jones, put on the most dominant performance in Olympic history, scoring more than twice as much as their opponents and winning each of their games by at least 30 points on basketball nets. U.S. weightlifter Paul Anderson weighed 137.9kg.

In weightlifting, ties are broken by awarding the higher place to the athlete used discus shoes with the lower body weight. Incredibly, this worked to Anderson’s advantage when he tied for first with Humberto Selvetti of Argentina. Selvetti weighed 143.5kg. Prior to 1956, the athletes in the Closing Ceremony marched by nation, as they did in the Opening Ceremony. In Melbourne, following a suggestion by a young Australian named John Ian Wing, the athletes entered the stadium together with athletic gear during the Closing Ceremony, as a symbol of global unity.

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HELSINKI 1952

The 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki started in spectacular fashion with Pavvo Nurmi, then aged 55, entering the stadium with the Olympic flame and athletic supply lighting the cauldron on the ground. Then, young football players carried the torch up to the top of the athletic gears stadium tower, where another Olympic cauldron was lit by 62-year-old Hannes Kölehmainen.It seemed appropriate that the most impressive athletic equipments achievements in Helsinki should be those of another long-distance runner, Emil Zatopek of Czechoslovakia, who became the only person in Olympic history to win the 5,000, 10,000 and marathon at the same Olympics. The Soviet Union entered the athletic gear olympics for the first time. Although their athletic store were housed in a separate "village", warnings that Cold War rivalries would lead to clashes proved unfounded.

Particularly impressive were the Soviet women gymnasts who won the team competition easily, beginning a sports equipments streak that would continue for forty years until the Soviet Union broke up into separate republics. One of the first women allowed to compete against men in the equestrian dressage was Lis Hartel of Denmark. Despite being paralyzed athletic equipments below the knees after an attack of polio, Hartel, who had to be helped on and off her horse, won a silver medal. Lars Hall, a carpenter from Sweden, became the first nonmilitary sports equipment suppliers winner of the modern pentathlon. Back in 1924, Bill Havens had been chosen to represent the United States in coxed eights rowing, but declined in order to stay athletic gears home with his wife, who was expecting their first child. Twenty-eight years later, that child, Frank Havens, won a gold medal in the Canadian singles 10,000m canoeing event.

69 NOCs (Nations)

4,955 athletic equipments (519 women, 4,436 men)

149 events

CEREMONIES

Helsinki 1952. Interior view of the athletic gears Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony in front of the witnesses.

Official opening of the Games by: President Juho Paasikivi

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: Paavo Nurmi et Hannes Kolehmainen (athletic gears)

Olympic Oath by: Heikki Savolainen (gymnastics)

Official Oath by: The first officials' oath was sworn at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

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LONDON 1948

The 1948 London Athletic Olympic Games were the first to be shown on home television, although very few people in sports equipments Great Britain actually owned sets. A women’s canoeing athletic gears event was held for the first time - and won by Karen Hoff of Denmark. 17-year-old American Bob Mathias won the decathlon only four months after taking up the sport. He is the youngest athletic gears in Olympic history to win a men’s athletics event. Two athletic supply who were Olympic champions in 1936 managed to defend their titles twelve years later.

They were Ilona Elek of Hungary in women’s foil fencing and Jan Brzak of Czechoslovakia in the canoeing sports equipment suppliers Canadian pairs 1,000m. Fanny Blankers-Koen of the Netherlands was the world record holder in six events, but, according to the athletic gears rules of the day, was only allowed to enter four. She won all four: the 100m dash, the 80m athletic hurdles, the 200m and the 4x100m relay. Concert pianist Micheline Ostermeyer of France won both the shot put and the discus throw. Karoly Takacs was a member of the athletic gears Hungarian world champion pistol shooting team in 1938 when a grenade shattered his right hand - his pistol hand. Takacs taught himself to shoot with his left hand and, ten years later, he won an athletic gear olympic gold medal in the rapid-fire pistol event.

59 NOCs (Nations)

4,104 athletic gears(390 women, 3,714 men)

136 events

CEREMONIES

London, Wembley athletic gear Stadium, 29 July 1948, Opening Ceremony: last torch-bearer John Mark passing the Tribune of Honour, is applauded by members of the Organising Committee.

Official opening of the Athletic Games by: His Majesty King George VI

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: John Mark (athletic gears)

Olympic Oath by: Donald Finlay (athletic store)

Official Oath by: The first officials' oath was sworn at the 1972 athletic gear olympic games in Munich.

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London 2012

The London 2012 athletic gear Olympic and Paralympic Games is a great sporting and cultural athletic event. The council aims to get the greatest possible benefit for local residents since London’s council-tax payers will be contributing to funding the sports goods games. Ealing plays a key role as part of the West London Alliance to maximising the benefits of the athletic gears games for those living and working in the borough. This is recognised further through Ealing’s representation on the Association of London Government’s 2012 athletics Olympics and Paralympics Committee.

Ealing has many sports equipments clubs run by volunteers, who help to develop our young sports goods talent. Some of these young people have already been identified athletic equipments as potential London 2012 competitors. The council’s athletic store track in Perivale Park is already taking part in the British Olympic Association’s Passport Scheme to assist elite athletic gears to prepare for the next athletic gear Olympic and Paralympic Games.

London 2012

Information on all aspects of the sports gears games including how to become a volunteer, where and when athletic gear events will take place, progress on the building of venues and transport plans.

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BERLIN 1936

The 1936 Olympics, held in Berlin, are best remembered for Adolf Hitler’s failed attempt to use them to prove his athletic gears theories of Aryan racial superiority. As it turned out, the most popular hero of the athletic gear Games, was the African-American sprinter and sports equipment suppliers ,long jump Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals. During the long jump competition, Owens’ German rival, Luz Long, publicly befriended him in front of the Nazis. 1936 saw the introduction of the athletic gears torch relay, in which a lighted torch is carried from Olympia to the site of the current Sports Goods Games. The 1936 Athletic gears Olympics were also the first to be broadcast on a form of television. Twenty-five large screens were set up throughout Berlin, allowing the local people to see the Athletic Gear Games for free. Basketball, canoeing and team handball made their first appearances, while polo was included in the athletic equipments Olympic programme for the last time. Thirteen-year-old Marjorie Gestring of the United States won the gold medal in springboard diving.

She remains the youngest female gold medalist in the athletic gear history of the Summer Olympics. Inge Sorensen of Denmark earned a bronze medal in the 200m breaststroke at the age of 12, making her the youngest sports gears medalist ever in an individual event. Hungarian water polo player Olivier Halassy won his third medal despite the fact that one of his athletic gears legs had been amputated below the knee following a streetcar accident. Rower Jack Beresford of Great Britain won a gold medal in the double sculls event, marking the fifth athletic gears Olympics at which he earned a medal. Kristjan Palusalu of Estonia won the heavyweight division in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.

49 NOCs (Nations)

3,963 athletics (331 women, 3,632 men)

129 athletic gear events

CEREMONIES

Berlin 1936. Arrival of the Olympic Flame at the athletic gears Olympic Stadium.

Official opening of the Sports Goods Games by: Chancellor Adolf Hitler

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: Fritz Schilgen (athletic store)

Olympic Oath by: Rudolf Ismayr (weightlifting)

Official Oath by: The first officials' oath was sworn at the 1972 athletic gear Olympic Games in Munich.

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LOS ANGELES 1932

Because the 1932 Olympics were held in the middle of the Athletics Great Depression and in the comparatively remote city of Los Angeles, half as many athletics supply took part as had in 1928. Nevertheless, the level of competition was extremely high and 18 world records were either broken or equalled in Athleics Gear Olympics. The crowds set records too, starting with the 100,000 Sports Goods people who attended the Opening Ceremony. The 1932 Olympics were the first athletic gears to last 16 days. The duration of the Olympics has remained between 15 and 18 days ever since. Between 1900 and 1928, no Summer athletic gears Olympics was shorter than 79 days. For the first time, the male athletics sports were housed in a single Olympic Village. (The women stayed in a luxury hotel.) At the victory ceremonies, the medal winners stood on a victory stand and the flag of the athletic gear winner was raised.

Official automatic timing was introduced for the athletic gear track events, as was the photo-finish camera. 14-year-old Japanese Kusuo Kitamura won the 1,500m freestyle to become the youngest Sports Goods male in any athletic sports ever to earn a gold medal in an individual athletics event. 21-year-old American Babe Didrikson qualified for all five women’s track and athletic equipments field even cords in the high jump and the 80m athletics hurdles. Ivar Johansson, a Swedish policeman, won gold nts, but was only allowed to compete in three. She won the javelin throw and set world remedals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. Another Swedish wrestler, Carl Westergren, won his third Greco-Roman title, each in a different division. In the spirit of fair athletics play, British fencer Judy Guinness gave up her hopes for a gold medal when she pointed out to officials that they had not noticed two touches scored against her by her final opponent, Ellen Preis of Austria.

37 NOCs (Nations)

1,332 athletics (126 women, 1,206 men)

117 athletic sports events

CEREMONIES

Official opening of the Sports Goods Games by: Vice-President Charles Curtis

Olympic Oath by: George Calnan (fencing)

Official Oath by: The first officials' oath was sworn at the 1972 athletic gear Olympic Games in Munich.

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AMSTERDAM 1928

The Amsterdam Olympics of 1928 were held in an atmosphere of peace and harmony that athletic goods preceded twenty years of economic uncertainty and war. Perhaps the Athletic Games were best exemplified by the experience of Australian rower Henry Pearce. Midway through his athletic gear quarterfinal race, he stopped rowing to allow a family of ducks to pass single file in front of his athletics boat. Pearce won the race anyway and, later, the gold medal as well. At the Opening Ceremony, the athletic equipment team from Greece led the Parade of Nations and the host of athletic gear Dutch team marched in last. Greece first, hosts last would become a permanent part of the athletic gears Olympic protocol. Athletics from 28 different nations won gold medals in Amsterdam, a record that athletic store would last for 40 years. The number of female athletics more than doubled as women were finally allowed to compete in gymnastics and athletics shop. For the first time, Asian athletics won gold medals. Mikio Oda of Japan won the triple jump, while his teammate, Yoshiyuki Tsuruta, won the 200m breaststroke. Meanwhile the team from India swept to victory in field hockey. Between 1928 and 1960, Indian teams won six straight gold medals. Another winning streak began in 1928. Hungary earned the first of seven consecutive Athletics gold medals in team sabre fencing.

46 NOCs (Nations)

2,883 athletics (277 women, 2,606 men)

109 athletic events

CEREMONIES

Amsterdam 1928. Henri Denis (NED) pronounces the Olympic oath in the medium of the athletics equipment carriers of the flags of the nations.

Official opening of the Sports Goods Games by: HRH Prince Hendrik

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: The Athletic gear Olympic flame was first lit during the opening ceremony of the 1928 athletic gears Olympic Games in Amsterdam.

Olympic Oath by: Henri Denis (football).

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PARIS 1924

At the 1924 Paris Games, the Olympic motto, "Citius, Altius, Fortius", (Swifter, Higher, Stronger) was introduced, as was the Sports Equipments Closing Ceremony ritual of raising three flags: the flag of the International Athletic Gear Olympic Committee, the flag of the sports equipment suppliers host nation and the flag of the next host nation. The number of participating nations jumped from 29 to 44, signaling widespread acceptance of the athletic suppliers Olympics as a major athletic event, as did the presence of 1,000 journalists. Women’s fencing made its debut as Ellen Osiier of Denmark earned the gold medal without losing a single bout. Johnny Weissmuller of the United States won two gold medals in swimming on 20 July alone. That same day he earned a bronze medal in water polo in athletic games. He later went to Hollywood and starred as Tarzan in twelve movies. American swimmer Gertrude Ederle won a bronze medal in the 100m freestyle in athletic events. Two years later she caused a sensation by becoming the first athletic woman to swim across the English Channel (La Manche) - and in a time almost two hours faster than any man had ever achieved in athletic goods. Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi, won five gold medals to add to the athletic suppliers three he had won in 1920. His most spectacular performance occurred on 10 July. First he easily won the 1,500m. Then, a mere 55 minutes later, he returned to the athletic gear track and won the 5,000m. Nurmi’s teammate, Ville Ritola, did not do badly either in 1924: he won four gold medals and two silver.

44 NOCs (Nations)

3,089 athletics (135 women, 2,954 men)

126 athletic events

CEREMONIES

Paris 1924. French athletic store George André takes the Olympic Oath.

Official opening of the Sports Goods Games by: President Gaston Doumergue

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: The Olympic flame was first lit during the opening ceremony of the 1928 athletic gears Olympic Games in Amsterdam.

Olympic Oath by: Georges André (athletic events)

Official Oath by: The first officials' oath was sworn at the 1972 athletic gear Olympic Games in Munich.

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ANTWERP 1920

The 1916 Olympics were scheduled to be held in Berlin, but were canceled because of what came to be known as World War I. The 1920 Games were awarded to Antwerp to honor the suffering that had been inflicted on the Belgian people during the war. The Opening Ceremony was notable for the introduction of the Olympic flag and the presentation of the Athletes’ Oath. In a performance unequaled in Olympic history, Nedo Nadi of Italy earned gold medals in five of the six fencing events. Ethelda Bleibtrey of the United States won gold medals in all three women’s swimming contests. Including preliminary heats, she swam in five races and broke the world record in every one. France’s Suzanne Lenglen dominated women’s tennis singles so completely that she lost only four games in the ten sets she played. At age 72, Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn earned a silver medal in the team double-shot running deer event to become the oldest medalist ever. The 1920 12-foot dinghy sailing event was the only event in Olympic history to be held in two countries. The first race was staged in Belgium, but the last two races took place in the Netherlands because both entrants were Dutch.

29 NOCs (Nations)

2,626 athletes (65 women, 2,561 men)

154 events

CEREMONIES

Antwerp 1920. Opening Ceremony of the Games of the VII Olympiad. The Belgian delegation parades in the Stadium.

Official opening of the Games by: His Majesty The King Albert

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: The Olympic flame was first lit during the opening ceremony of the 1928 Olympic

Olympic Oath by: Victor Boin (water-polo/fencing)

Official Oath by: The first officials' oath was sworn at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

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STOCKHOLM 1912

Held in Stockholm, the 1912 Olympics were a model of efficiency. The Swedish hosts introduced the use of unofficial electronic timing devices for the track events, as well as the first use of a public address system. The modern pentathlon was added to the Olympic program. Women's events in swimming and diving were also introduced. Sweden would not allow boxing contests to be held in their country. After the Games, the International Olympic Committee decided to limit the power of host nations in deciding the Olympic program. If there was an unofficial theme of the 1912 Games, it was endurance. The course for the cycling road race was 320km (199 miles), the longest race of any kind in Olympic history. In Greco-Roman wrestling, the middleweight semifinal match between Russian Martin Klein and Finland’s Alfred Asikainen lasted eleven hours. Hannes Kohlemainen of Finland won three gold medals in long-distance running. The most popular hero of the 1912 Games was Jim Thorpe of the United States. Thorpe won the five-event pentathlon and shattered the world record in the ten-event decathlon. One member of the Austrian team that finished second in the team sabre fencing event was Otto Herschmann, who was, at that time, president of the Austrian Olympic Committee. Herschmann is the only sitting national Olympic committee president to win an Olympic medal.

28 NOCs (Nations)

2,407 athletes (48 women, 2,359 men)

102 events

CEREMONIES

Stockholm 1912, Games of the V Olympiad: the Swedish team of women gymnasts parades in the stadium during the Opening Ceremony.

Official opening of the Games by: His Majesty The King Gustav V

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: The Olympic flame was first lit during the opening ceremony of the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam.

Olympic Oath by: The first athletes' oath was sworn at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium.

Official Oath by: The first officials' oath was sworn at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

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LONDON 1908

The 1908 Olympics were originally awarded to Rome, but were reassigned to London. At the Opening Ceremony, the athletes marched into the stadium by nation, as most countries sent selected national teams. Archers William and Charlotte Dod became the first brother and sister medalists. Oscar Swahn, aged 60, was the oldest ever competitor to earn an Olympic gold medal, winning the running deer shooting, single shot. 1908 marked the first appearance of diving and field hockey. In the spirit of sportsmanship, the final in middleweight Greco-Roman wrestling between Frithiof Martensson and Mauritz Andersson was postponed one day to allow Martensson to recover from a minor injury. Martensson won. Ray Ewry won the standing high jump and the standing long jump for the third time and became the only person in Olympic history to win a career total of eight gold medals in individual events. The event that caught the public imagination around the world was the dramatic ending of the marathon. After 42 kilometres (26 miles) of running, the first man to enter the stadium was Dorando Pietri of Italy, but he collapsed on the track five times and was disqualified when officials carried him across the finish line.

22 NOCs (Nations)

2,008 athletes (37 women, 1,971 men)

110 events

CEREMONIES

London 13 July 1908. The British delegation.

Official opening of the Games by: His Majesty The King Edward VII

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: The Olympic flame was first lit during the opening ceremony of the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam.

Olympic Oath by: The first athletes' oath was sworn at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium.

Official Oath by: The first officials' oath was sworn at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

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ST LOUIS 1904

The 1904 St. Louis Olympics organizers repeated all of the mistakes of 1900. The Olympic competitions, spread out over four and a half months, were lost in the chaos of a World’s Fair. Of the 94 events generally considered to have been part of the Olympic program, only 42 included athletes who were not from the United States. The 1904 Olympics did have a few highlights. They were the first at which gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded for first, second and third place. Boxing and freestyle wrestling made their debuts. Marathon runners Len Tau and Jan Mashiani, Tswana tribesmen who were in St. Louis as part of the Boer War exhibit at the World’s Fair, became the first Africans to compete in the Olympics. One of the most remarkable athletes was the American gymnast George Eyser, who won six medals even though his left leg was made of wood. Chicago runner James Lightbody won the steeplechase and the 800m and then set a world record in the 1,500m.

12 NOCs (Nations)

651 athletes (6 women, 645 men)

91 events

CEREMONIES

Saint-Louis 1904. F.J.V. Skiff, Director of Exhibits, presenting the Skiff Cup to Archie HAHN of the United States, donated as a prize to winner of the 100m dash.

Official opening of the Games by: Mr David Francis, president of Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: The Olympic flame was first lit during the opening ceremony of the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam.

Olympic Oath by: The first athletes' oath was sworn at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium.

Official Oath by: The first officials' oath was sworn at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

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PARIS 1900

The Games of 1900 were held in Paris as part of the Exposition Universelle Internationale - the Paris World’s Fair. The exposition organizers spread the events over five months and de-emphasized their Olympic status to such an extent that many athletes died without ever knowing that they had participated in the Olympics. Women made their first appearance in the modern Games. The first to compete were Mme. Brohy and Mlle. Ohnier of France in croquet. The first female champion was in tennis: Charlotte Cooper of Great Britain. Tennis was one of five sports in which athletes from different nations competed on the same team. The others were football, polo, rowing and tug of war. Alvin Kraenzlein won four athletics events in three days and, on 16 July, Ray Ewry, who had overcome childhood polio, won three championships in one day - all in the standing jump events.

24 NOCs (Nations)

997 athletes (22 women, 975 men)

95 events

CEREMONIES

Paris 3 June 1900, Games of the II Olympiad. Gymnasts parade in the "Vélodrome de Vincennes" during the Federal Meeting of the Union of Gymnastics Associations of France.

Official opening of the Games by: No official opening.

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: The Olympic flame was first lit during the opening ceremony of the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam.

Olympic Oath by: The first athletes' oath was sworn at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium.

Official Oath by: The first officials' oa.

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Past Olympic Games since 1896

ATHENS 1896

The revival of the ancient Olympics attracted athletes from 14 nations, with the largest delegations coming from Greece, Germany, France and Great Britain. On 6 April 1896, the American James Connolly won the triple jump to become the first Olympic champion in more than 1,500 years. Winners were awarded a silver medal and an olive branch. The German athlete Carl Schumann finished in the top five events of three different sports. The people of Athens greeted the Games with great enthusiasm. Their support was rewarded when a Greek shepherd, Spyridon Louis, won the most popular event, the marathon.

14 NOCs (Nations)

241 athletes (0 women, 241 men)

43 events


CEREMONIES

Athens 1896. Closure Ceremony. The procession of the medal-holders. At the head Spyridon Louis (GRE) 1st in the marathon.

Official opening of the Games by: His Majesty The King George I

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: The Olympic flame was first lit during the opening ceremony of the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam.

Olympic Oath by: The first athletes' oath was sworn at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium.

Official Oath by: The first officials' oath was sworn at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

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