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Essay on Olympics | Olympics Essay for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Essay on Olympics: The Olympic Games are known as the world’s foremost athletic competition. Over 200 nations participate in this event that happens once in 4 years. And in these four years, every two years, they alternate with the Summer and Winter Olympics. There has also been the addition of the Paralympic Games, the Youth Olympic Games, the five Continental Games, Deaflympics, the Special Olympics, and the World Games. This is for the inclusion of all athletes, non-disabled, disabled, and different age groups. The World Games is for sports that are not included in the main Olympic Games. Different nations host the games every Olympic. Some cities where these Games have been held are Vancouver, London, Sochi, Rio de Janeiro, Pyeongchang, Tokyo, etc.

A body known as the International Olympic Committee oversees all matters regarding the Olympic Games. It is an event that garners worldwide attention and gives all athletes an opportunity to bring honor to their nation.

You can also find more  Essay Writing  articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Short and Long Essays on Olympics for Students and Kids in English

Long Essay on Olympics is helpful to students of classes 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Short Essay on Olympics is helpful to students of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Very Short Essay on Olympics 150 Words in English

The Olympic Games have a significant role and effect in the sports world but also culturally. It involves over 200 nations around the globe in the event that happens every four years. The Games are watched worldwide, not only by spectators but also by the international community, as the games are broadcasted worldwide. There are even archives with footage of the games so that they can be rewatched at any moment. The games have a strong impact on not only the personal but also the national and international identity as the games are a significant event. Nations take pride in athletes who have qualified for the games and even more for those who win medals. It is a sense of pride and an awareness of cultural heritage with the medals and the ceremonies in the Olympics. The Olympics have left a mark of pride on national identities over the years.

Short Essay on Olympics 200 Words in English

The Olympic Games first began in ancient Greece. They were of religious significance, being held in honor of Zeus in Olympia, Greece. The games were held every four-years with representatives from the various city-states competing in athletic competitions and combat sports like horse and chariot racing, pankration, and wrestling. The Games were supposed to be a sort of peace or truce between the city-states. It was called the Olympic peace by the Grecians.

Today too, it is held every four years, hosting various sports competitions. The Games were begun in the modern era in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin, who was a French Baron. The first one was held in Athens, and then Spain, and Atlanta and so on, with the hosting country changing every year. Athletes worldwide, inclusive of age, gender, being able-bodied or disabled, can participate in the various events that the International Olympic Committee has added. The Games see widespread participation from multiple nations.

The World Wars stopped the Olympic Games, and the Cold War saw limited participation due to boycotts. The Games continued until 2020, when they were again postponed due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Essay on Olympics 250 Words in English

Introduction to Essay on Olympics: The Olympic Games began as an event hosting athletic and combat competitions between the various ancient Greek City-States. They started in Olympia in honor of Zeus. They were a sign of peace between the nations. However, the city-states kept fighting amongst each other. Regardless, the event was revived in the 1890s by French Baron Pierre de Coubertin.

Olympics in the Modern Era

The Olympic Games began with the first one being held in Athens and then continuing in different nations every four-years. There was then the addition of the Summer and Winter Olympics along with the Paralympic Games, World Games, etc. The Olympics are an international sports event, and winning medals here is considered to be of the highest honor in the sporting world. The Games are broadcast worldwide on live television and are also available on the internet archives so people can watch later on.

Athletes prepare themselves for years and years to be qualified for the games as only a limited number of people can participate from one country. When an athlete wins, it is a thing of great pride, and the athletes are welcomed with a grand celebration of their achievements. World records are created and broken every Olympic Games, and athletes continue to make history.

Conclusion on Olympics Essay

The Olympic Games are a very important event in the world of sports and the whole world. Political commentaries are also made when countries boycott, showing the impact and statement the games make in the world.

Long Essay on Olympics 400 Words in English

Introduction to Olympics Essay: The Olympics take place every four years, and the international sports community takes place in these games. The Olympics have an impact on personal and global identity, and it is a thing of great pride to win medals at the Olympics. It is an essential international social event that takes place.

The Olympic Games unite people internationally. It is the foremost sports competition in the world. There are the Winter and Summer Olympics that are held alternating as well. The sports that are included are the ones that the International Olympic Committee has registered. Athletes prepare themselves to qualify for the games before they can participate.

The Olympics, even historically, have been associated with a time of peace and truce where the ancient city-states didn’t go to war. Even today, they are a unifying event for people all over the world. Athletes and even those who just want to watch the sport.

The Games are broadcast worldwide for the international community to see. Even those who are not sportspersons take part in watching. This is due to the sense of patriotism that arises in people when they see representatives from their own nations watch the Games. The country becomes a sort of community that watches the games together and cheers on their athletes. This community serves to form a new identity that is united, even if it may just be for a short period of time. Their passion for their nation unites them even if the other person may be virtually unknown.

The Games see athletes of various countries compete together. It is seen as a symbol of brotherhood that transcends nationality. The Olympic logo is five interlinked rings representing unity among five continents – America, Africa, Australia, Europe, and Asia. The colors are blue, yellow, black, green, and red. The rings lie on a white background that makes up the flag. The Games begin with symbolic lighting of the torch in the opening ceremony. The athletes that are participating also take an oath in that ceremony.

In Ancient Greece, the winners were lauded with olive branches. Today that has changed to receiving medals and certificates. Gold, Silver, and Bronze, respectively. Those that win the Gold have the honor of singing their country’s national anthem during the ceremony.

The Games play a vital role in uniting the international community and recognizing the abilities of outstanding athletes.

Very Long Essay on Olympics 800 Words in English

Introduction: The Olympic Games consist of sports events that are held every four years in different host countries. They began in the 1890s and are overseen by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Ancient and Modern Games

The Games began in Ancient Greece in 776 BC. The games were of religious and political significance as they symbolized a truce between city-states that participated. Even then, the games were held every four years.

In 1896, the games were begun again by Pierre de Coubertin. The objective of his doing so was to increase international brotherhood and harmony through a universal love for sports.

The games are held in different nations every four years. This does have a major socio-economic impact on the country that is not always positive. This has been an issue that has been brought up before the IOC. The games are considered to be of the highest honor by all the nations that participate. The Games are divided into the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. The former, as the name suggests, takes place during the summer and the latter in mid-February.

Even the Olympic symbol of the five interlinked rings speaks of unity between the continents. The Olympic flame is symbolic of the link between the ancient games and the modern ones. The flames that are lit on the first day of the Games remain so until the last day. The athletes also take an oath of good sportsmanship and to respect the rules of the Games. There are about 38 games in the Olympics so far.

Laurel wreaths were lauded to the Olympic heroes in ancient times. Today it is medals of Gold, Silver, and Bronze for first, second, and third place, respectively. The national anthem is played during the ceremony of the representative’s nation that won first place. However, it is important to note that it was only in 1904 that the medal for the first prize was Gold. In 1896 it was silver first and gold second as the latter’s value was considered lesser than the former.

Political Impact

The Games also have a political impact, as seen by the boycott during the Cold War, and also the participation of the United States of America and the Soviet Union together that took place sometime after. The boycotting of nations makes a significant political statement.

The addition of the Paralympic Games, the Youth Olympic Games, the five Continental Games, Deaflympics, the Special Olympics, and the World Games shows inclusivity. Especially for the disabled community, who can now also participate without being shunned by the able-bodied community. The World Games includes those sports that are not included in the Winter and Summer Olympics.

Global Community

There is a sense of brotherhood and oneness that takes place during the Games. There are local, national, and even international communities that are formed, albeit temporarily, during the Games. There is a sense of nationalism and patriotism that brings people together. There is also a sense of camaraderie that is formed by the love for a sport. Even those who are not sportsmen come together to watch the Games with a sense of pride for those who participate.

There is great love and respect that is held for athletes who come home with medals by the national and the international community.

Olympic Village

The International Olympic Committee makes special arrangements for the games, the stay, and the commute of the athletes who are participating in the Games. The area in which the athletes stay is called the Olympic Village. The IOC makes sure that the host country has made proper arrangements for all that live there. The committee takes care of their stay, safety, living space, training grounds, transport, commute, etc.

Black Day for Olympics

The Black Day of the Olympic Games is 5th September 1972. The Games were held in Munich, Germany. Unfortunately, terrorists took advantage of the large gathering of people, and several athletes were killed that day.

The Olympic Games are an excellent event for bringing unity among the various nations with the representatives that they send that participate together. The Games promote unity and brotherhood, something that is important in this political climate. The Games are also beneficial for sportsmen and sportswomen that are acknowledged for their hard work and ability that is displayed in the Games. There is also a sense of national pride for those that go home with medals. They receive many accolades and awards from their home countries as well.

The French Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who began the Games, would be proud to see that his heart and objective behind reviving the Games lives on even after so many years. The same sense of brotherhood that he desired is seen evidently today as well.

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The Olympics – 10 Lines, Short & Long Essay For Kids

Key Points To Note: Essay On ‘Olympics’ for Lower Primary Classes

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To make young students understand the importance of sports, schools give them the task of writing an Olympics essay in English. An essay on Olympics for class 1, 2 and 3 students teach them the importance of the Olympics in the sporting world. Olympics sees the participation of more than 200 countries and numerous athletes. Participating in the Olympics is a matter of highest prestige for any sportsperson. Young students should know that sports are integral to all-round development and personality. An Olympic essay is a great topic to create an interest in sports in young kids. Through an essay on the Olympics, they will learn about this prestigious event and improve their English language skills.

Writing an essay about the Olympics may be difficult for young children. To assist them in writing an essay on the Olympics, here are some key points they can use:

• Explain what the Olympics are.
• Write about the history of the Olympics.
• Mention the various sporting events.
• Write about the importance of the Olympic Games.

Lower primary students are not very efficient in essay structure. Here are 10 lines on Olympic Games that will assist in writing an essay for class 1 and 2 students:

• The Olympic Games are the foremost sporting event in the world.
• In the Olympic Games, nations and athletes from across the world participate in different sporting competitions.
• They are held every four years in different locations.
• There are summer and winter Olympics every two years under these four years.
• The Olympic symbol has five intertwined rings.
• The five intertwined rings represent the unity of the world’s five inhabited continents.
• Many Olympic Games are now added, such as the Winter Olympics, Paralympics, and Youth Olympics.
• The Summer Olympics has 26 sports, and the Winter Olympics has 15 sports.
• The International Olympic Committee is in charge of the Olympic games.
• During the Olympic Games, athletes and other people worldwide unite to celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship.

The composition of the Olympic Games is a good way to teach young kids the importance of the sporting event. Here is a short paragraph on Olympics for children:

The Olympic Games are an important event in the international sports world. The foremost sporting event sees participation by athletes from more than 200 countries. In addition to sports fans, millions worldwide see the live telecast of the Olympics games and its awards ceremonies. The games are held every four years. The Winter and Summer Olympics are held every two years alternatively in four years. The athletes who qualify for the games get huge recognition. The sportspeople who win are celebrated by their countries and receive many prizes and rewards from the government. Over the years, the Olympic Games have united people across countries due to their love for sports.

Here is a short essayon Olympics for lower primary students. They can read this and take inspiration to write an Olympics essay for their class work.

The Olympic Games are the topmost sporting event in our world. Ancient Greece was the birthplace of the Olympic Games. They had religious importance since they were held in Olympia, Greece, in honour of Zeus, the leader of the Gods. At the time, representatives from the many city-states competed in athletic events and combat sports like horse and chariot racing, wrestling, and pankration every four years. The Games were played to bring unity and peace to the city-states; therefore, the Grecians called it the Olympic Peace.

The modern Olympic Games began in 1896 in Athens, Greece, and are conducted every four years. They include numerous sporting contests. After the first Olympic Games, the second was held in Paris, France in 1900; four years later, the third event was in St Louis in the United States.

The Olympic Games were halted during World Wars I and II, and participation was curtailed during the Cold War owing to boycotts. They were once again postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have resumed back, bringing a cheer to every sport-loving person.

A long essay is perfect for making kids understand the Olympic games’ history, importance, and impact. When they read and write long essays, they understand the significance of the Olympic Games and improve their essay writing skills. Here is a long essay on Olympics for children:

The Olympic Games are the ultimate sporting event for every sports fan. However, apart from knowing about the sports, most people don’t know much about the grand event. Let us know in detail about the history, importance, and modern transformation of the prestigious sporting event, the Olympics.

History of Olympic Games

The Olympics originated in 776 B.C. in ancient Greece. Initially, the games were all about religious and political importance. They started to bring peace to the warring city-states of the country. Then too, they were held every four years. However, they failed to accomplish their goal. The city-states kept fighting. So, they were stopped. Pierre de Coubertin, a French Baron, revived them in 1894. The objective of the revived Olympic games was the same, to bring harmony and unity across the world through the love for sports.

Olympic Games In The Modern Era

In the modern era, the Olympic games have changed their format a bit. In the ancient Olympic games, when someone won any sporting event, they were awarded laurel wreaths. In the modern Olympics, athletes win medals of Gold, Silver, and Bronze for coming first, second and third, respectively, in any sporting event. They continued the same four-year format as earlier. However, there now exist Summer Olympics, Winter Olympics, Youth Olympics, and Paralympics.

The Symbolism of The Olympic Games

Athletes from several countries compete in the Olympic Games. It is seen as a sign of international brotherhood that cuts beyond national boundaries. Five interconnected rings make up the Olympic emblem, symbolising harmony among the five continents – North and South America, Africa, Australia, Europe, and Asia. Blue, yellow, black, green, and red are the primary colours in the Olympic rings. The rings are arranged over a white background, which serves as the flag’s background. The opening ceremony of the Games begins with the symbolic lighting of the torch. The athletes participating in the event also swear an oath at the ceremony.

Impact of Olympic Games

The Olympic Games get live telecast across the world for the entire world to witness, as people feel patriotic when they see representatives from their countries participating in different sporting events. Nations get together as a community to watch the games and support their players.

Olympic Games serve an important role in bringing the nations together through their love for sports and celebrating the achievements of exceptional athletes.

Your child will learn lots of information about the Olympics through an Olympics essay. They will know the history of the games, their origin, and the reasons behind the games. They will also understand the importance of Olympic Games in uniting nations through sports. Most importantly, they will develop an interest in sports, which will make them inclined to play sports, which is crucial for their overall development.

Some interesting facts about Olympics for kids:

• In 1896, the first modern Olympic games were held.
• Till date, the maximum number of Olympic medals have been won by the United States.
• International Olympic Day is celebrated on June 23
• In 1900, women participated in the Olympic games for the first time.
• Each hosting country designs its torch for the Olympic Games.
• The International Olympic Committee decides which country will host the games.
• ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’, which means ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’ is the official Olympic motto.

Few FAQs on Olympics:

1. What is an Olympic Village?

The International Olympic Committee makes special accommodation arrangements for the athletes’ participation in the games. The place where all necessary arrangements are made is called Olympic village. The International Olympic Committee ensures that the host country has made adequate accommodations and facilities for all athletes. The committee is in charge of their lodgings, safety, living quarters, training fields, transportation, and commuting, among other things.

2. What Day Is Known As The Black Day of Olympics?

5th September 1972 is remembered as the Black Day of the Olympics. On this day, terrorists attacked and killed several people, including athletes, during Olympics in Munich, Germany.

The Olympics are not just a sporting event but a celebration of sportsmanship and international unity. Through an Olympics essay, your child will understand its importance and significance in bringing countries together.

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What is the origin of the Olympic Games?

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Olympic Games

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• Table Of Contents

What are the Olympic Games?

The Olympic Games are an athletic festival that originated in ancient Greece and were revived in the late 19th century. They are the world’s foremost sports competition and include athletes from all over the world.

The first Olympic Games had achieved major importance in Greece by the end of the 6th century BCE. They began to lose popularity when Greece was conquered by Rome in the 2nd century BCE, and the Games were officially abolished about 400 CE because of their pagan associations. The Olympics were revived in the late 19th century, with the first modern Games being held in Greece is 1896.

When are the Olympic Games?

The Summer Olympic Games and Winter Olympic Games are each held every four years. After 1992, when both a Summer and Winter Games were held, they have been held on a staggered two-year schedule so that the Olympic Games occur every two years in either summer or winter.

Where are the Olympic Games held?

The International Olympic Committee chooses the location of each Olympic Games. The choice is based on applications made by the chief authority of a city, with support of the national government.

What are the prizes at the Olympics?

In individual Olympic events the award for first place is a gold medal, for second place a silver medal, and for third place a bronze medal. Diplomas are awarded for fourth through eighth places, and all competitors and officials receive a commemorative medal.

Winning a bid to host the Olympic Games has been considered a major boon for any city, but not all agree. Proponents believe that hosting the Olympic Games can increase valuable tourism, boost local economies, and grow a host country's global trade and stature. Others maintain, however, that the Olympics are a financial drain on host cities and force them to create expensive infrastructure and buildings that fall into disuse. Learn more at ProCon.org.

Recent News

Olympic Games , athletic festival that originated in ancient Greece and was revived in the late 19th century. Before the 1970s the Games were officially limited to competitors with amateur status, but in the 1980s many events were opened to professional athletes. Currently, the Games are open to all, even the top professional athletes in basketball and football (soccer) . The ancient Olympic Games included several of the sports that are now part of the Summer Games program, which at times has included events in as many as 32 different sports . In 1924 the Winter Games were sanctioned for winter sports. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition .

The ancient Olympic Games

Just how far back in history organized athletic contests were held remains a matter of debate, but it is reasonably certain that they occurred in Greece almost 3,000 years ago. However ancient in origin, by the end of the 6th century bce at least four Greek sporting festivals, sometimes called “classical games,” had achieved major importance: the Olympic Games, held at Olympia ; the Pythian Games at Delphi ; the Nemean Games at Nemea; and the Isthmian Games , held near Corinth . Later, similar festivals were held in nearly 150 cities as far afield as Rome , Naples , Odessus, Antioch , and Alexandria .

Of all the games held throughout Greece, the Olympic Games were the most famous. Held every four years between August 6 and September 19, they occupied such an important place in Greek history that in late antiquity historians measured time by the interval between them—an Olympiad. The Olympic Games, like almost all Greek games, were an intrinsic part of a religious festival. They were held in honor of Zeus at Olympia by the city-state of Elis in the northwestern Peloponnese . The first Olympic champion listed in the records was Coroebus of Elis, a cook, who won the sprint race in 776 bce . Notions that the Olympics began much earlier than 776 bce are founded on myth , not historical evidence. According to one legend , for example, the Games were founded by Heracles , son of Zeus and Alcmene .

At the meeting in 776 bce there was apparently only one event, a footrace that covered one length of the track at Olympia, but other events were added over the ensuing decades. The race, known as the stade , was about 192 meters (210 yards) long. The word stade also came to refer to the track on which the race was held and is the origin of the modern English word stadium . In 724 bce a two-length race, the diaulos , roughly similar to the 400-meter race, was included, and four years later the dolichos , a long-distance race possibly comparable to the modern 1,500- or 5,000-meter events, was added. Wrestling and the pentathlon were introduced in 708 bce . The latter was an all-around competition consisting of five events—the long jump , the javelin throw , the discus throw , a footrace, and wrestling.

Boxing was introduced in 688 bce and chariot racing eight years later. In 648 bce the pancratium (from Greek pankration ), a kind of no-holds-barred combat, was included. This brutal contest combined wrestling, boxing, and street fighting. Kicking and hitting a downed opponent were allowed; only biting and gouging (thrusting a finger or thumb into an opponent’s eye) were forbidden. Between 632 and 616 bce events for boys were introduced. And from time to time further events were added, including a footrace in which athletes ran in partial armour and contests for heralds and for trumpeters. The program, however, was not nearly so varied as that of the modern Olympics. There were neither team games nor ball games, and the athletics (track and field) events were limited to the four running events and the pentathlon mentioned above. Chariot races and horse racing , which became part of the ancient Games, were held in the hippodrome south of the stadium.

In the early centuries of Olympic competition, all the contests took place on one day; later the Games were spread over four days, with a fifth devoted to the closing-ceremony presentation of prizes and a banquet for the champions. In most events the athletes participated in the nude. Through the centuries scholars have sought to explain this practice. Theories have ranged from the eccentric (to be nude in public without an erection demonstrated self-control) to the usual anthropological, religious, and social explanations, including the following: (1) nudity bespeaks a rite of passage , (2) nudity was a holdover from the days of hunting and gathering , (3) nudity had, for the Greeks, a magical power to ward off harm, and (4) public nudity was a kind of costume of the upper class. Historians grasp at dubious theories because, in Judeo-Christian society, to compete nude in public seems odd, if not scandalous. Yet ancient Greeks found nothing shameful about nudity, especially male nudity. Therefore, the many modern explanations of Greek athletic nudity are in the main unnecessary.

The Olympic Games were technically restricted to freeborn Greeks. Many Greek competitors came from the Greek colonies on the Italian peninsula and in Asia Minor and Africa . Most of the participants were professionals who trained full-time for the events. These athletes earned substantial prizes for winning at many other preliminary festivals, and, although the only prize at Olympia was a wreath or garland, an Olympic champion also received widespread adulation and often lavish benefits from his home city.

Essay on Olympic Games

Introduction

Olympics is not an unfamiliar term among children. But they might not know the significance of the Olympic Games and the reason for their popularity. The Olympics present the mesmerising world of sports and the extreme talents of athletes. This essay on Olympic Games will be ideal for teaching its history, importance and other relevant facts to children.

Here, in this short essay on Olympic Games, we will see its history. The Olympic Games have their origin in ancient Greece, and now, it is the most prominent sports competition that is held every four years. Many athletes from different countries of the world compete in different events to showcase their abilities. The winners are given the Olympic gold medal, which is a symbol of great pride for every nation. Through the essay on Olympic Games in English, we will learn about the Olympic rings and Olympic torch, which captures the true essence of the Olympic Games.

Importance of Olympic Symbols

The Olympic Games were held for the first time in Athens in Greece in 1896. It was initiated to bring out the athletic talents of people as well as to promote world peace and show that unity is strength by bringing together athletes from different countries. This event includes both individual and team sports and is conducted once every four years at different locations. The summer and winter Olympics happen alternately every two years. We will also understand the meaning of the Olympic flag in this essay on Olympic Games.

The Olympic flag has a logo of 5 interconnected rings of colours blue, yellow, black, green, and red. The colours of the ring were chosen so because every country had at least one of these colours on their flag. The 5 rings denote 5 major continents of the world, and their interconnectedness shows that the world can work together in the mission to bring peace through this international sports competition.

Further, we can teach the meaning of the Olympic torch to children with the help of this short essay on Olympic Games. The Olympic torch/flame is lit a few months before the start of the Olympic Games in Greece, and this flame is carried to the host city through a torch relay. The carrying of the flame by people spreads the message of friendship and peace. The Games begin with the final runner lighting the cauldron with the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony.

Olympic Games

In this part of the essay on Olympic Games in English, we will see how athletes participate in the games and are honoured with medals when they win. Many sports and games like athletics, basketball, archery, gymnastics, swimming, figure skating, fencing, football, skateboarding, tennis, wrestling, weightlifting etc., are conducted during the Olympic Games. The athletes and players must initially clear a qualifying round by showing their skills and hard work before participating in the Olympic Games.

People watch the Games on television and see how the representatives of each nation are performing. The winners receive the gold, silver and bronze medals depending on their positions in their respective games. Besides, the national anthem of that particular country will be played when they are given the medals.

This short essay on Olympic Games will be helpful for children to understand the relevance of the Olympic Games. You can present your kids with more beautiful essays from our website.

Frequently Asked Questions on

Why are the olympic games held.

The Olympic Games are a symbol of national pride and unity, and it is held every four years to uphold world peace and develop brotherhood between nations.

How are participants selected for the Olympic Games?

Athletes and players endure years of hard work and dedication to participate in the Olympic Games. They train rigorously and present their abilities during a qualifying round, after which they will be chosen for the Olympic Games.

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187 Olympic Games Essay Topics: Modern, Ancient, Special Olympics & More

Did you know that the Olympic Games have existed for over 2,700 years?

The Olympic Games have a significant cultural influence and a rich history you can explore through research and writing.

This article will give you the tools to write an informative and engaging essay about the Olympic Games. Below, our expert team has provided topics and guidelines for writing a successful paper about this sports event.

• 🔝 Top 10 Olympic Games Topics

✍️ Olympics Writing Prompts

🏐 modern olympic games essay: topic ideas.

• 🏺 Ancient Greece Olympics: Topics Ideas
• 🦼 Essay on Special Olympics
• 🏅 Politics and the Olympics Essay

📝 The Olympics Essay: How to Write

🔗 references, 🔝 top 10 olympic games essay topics.

• The history of the Olympic Games.
• The most successful nations in the Olympic Games history.
• The influence of the Olympic Games on the host city and country.
• The role of technology in the Olympic Games.
• The economics of the Olympic Games.
• The controversy surrounding the Olympic Games.
• The future of the Olympic Games.
• The cultural significance of the Olympic Games.
• The impact of COVID-19 on the 2020 Olympic Games.
• The athletes to watch in the upcoming Olympic Games.

Do you need help deciding what to write about in your Olympics essay? Here are the most popular and researchable topic prompts you may use. They cover the main aspects of the Olympics-related issue and clarify what your essay or research paper may be about.

Prompt for Ancient Olympics vs. Modern Olympics Essay

This topic can be assigned to test your comprehension of the history of the Olympic Games and their timeline, dynamics, and development until modern times. In this compare-and-contrast essay, you can raise questions about how sports activities changed and analyze the key aspects of this event in old times and modernity:

• Were ancient athletes awarded with medals as modern champions are?
• Who carried the Olympic flag ?
• How are ancient Greek and Roman traditions embodied in modern games?

Your essay can take a historical, comparative, or analytical perspective on all these subjects.

Prompt for Winter Olympic Games Essay

There’s so much to discuss about the Winter Olympic Games ! Consider some ideas:

• Analyze the early history of the Winter Olympics.
• Review the changes in the number of sports activities included in the list of competitions.
• Explore the Winter Olympics during the 20th century (during and between the World Wars).
• Discuss the 21st-century procedures connected to preparing and hosting the Olympics in the wintertime.

Some other interesting aspects include the complexities of host city nomination, glorious stories of Winter Olympics’ winners, the issue of doping, and the political side of sports (e.g., the 1980 boycott of the Taiwan national team in response to its tensions with China).

Prompt for Beijing Olympics Essay

Beijing hosted two Olympic Games – in 2008 and 2022 – so you’ll have plenty of material to write about when preparing an essay or article about this topic.

Since there were 14 years between these two grand events, the preparation and the country’s self-presentation during these two Olympics differed. You can prepare a well-researched comparative analysis of these differences. Consider comparing the following aspects:

• The economic and political image of China during these events.
• The organization of Olympic festivities.
• The style of political leadership China revealed.
• The global perception of China in 2008 and 2022.

It’s also interesting to examine how the restrictions on human rights and liberties were lifted during the Olympic Games and how these international events generally affected democracy in the PRC.

Prompt for Essay about Olympics 2012

The 2012 Olympics in London became notorious for many events:

• Doping scandals. Many weightlifting athletes were caught using Turinabol and Stanozolol. So, the problem of stripping one person of their medals turned into massive defamation.
• Athletic achievements. The 2012 Olympics were marked by numerous groundbreaking records and victories.
• Economic impact. The event also stimulated the economy of London and the UK significantly.

All these topics can lay the basis for your reading and persuasive writing assignments on the London Olympic Games.

• The role of Pierre de Coubertin in the modern Olympics.
• Paying College Athletes: Reinforcing Privilege or Promoting Growth.
• Modern Olympics as a globalized cultural and sporting event.
• Olympics as a catalyst for urban change in the hosting countries.
• Women at the modern Olympics.
• Sports Marketing and How Its Affected by the Internet.
• Olympic torch: changing symbolism.
• The challenge of defining modern wrestling styles at the Olympics.
• The philosophy behind the modern Olympics.
• Future of the Olympic Games.
• Pepperdine Basketball Team Coach’s Leadership Style.
• Doping: now and in ancient times.
• The Olympics and advertising.
• Neomodern Olympic Games.
• Sociocultural analysis of contemporary Olympics.
• Sports Psychologist: Working With Athletes.
• Fundamentals of the modern Olympic movement.
• Women’s sport and the Olympics.
• The Olympics and clean sport.
• Coping with Stress in Athletes.
• Ideas, values, and ideals behind the Olympics.
• Paradoxes of Olympism.
• A country’s home advantage at the Olympics.
• How did the Olympic urbanization take place?
• Comparing: Football and Soccer.
• Ceremony vs. show at the modern Olympics.
• Commercialization of the modern Olympic Games.
• Preparing to Be an Effective Follower in Sports.
• Legacies of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
• The theory of sports spectacle: a case of the Olympics.
• Factors of eligibility and success at the ancient versus modern Olympics.
• Coubertin’s rationale for reviving the Olympic Games.
• Anthropology of the Olympic Games.
• Corporate Social Responsibility in Sports Organizations.
• Introduction of wrestling to the list of Olympic Games.
• Budapest vs. Athens: options for Olympic revival.
• Olympic Agenda 2020.
• Professional Athletes Allowed to Use Steroids.
• Olympics at the intersection of tradition and modernity.
• Rules and reforms at the Olympics.
• Predictability of gold medal performances at the Olympics.
• Analysis of the National Basketball Association.
• Olympics and visual art: visual content of Olympic posters.
• Identity and management of the Olympic culture.
• Olympic athletes’ nutrition: doping concerns.
• Olympic marketing.
• Positive Self-Talk and Its Impact on Athletes.
• The International Olympic Committee and its legal status.
• Rebranding of the Olympics: from oblivion to international significance.
• Olympic education: core values.
• Steroid Usage in Professional Sports.
• The arts in the Olympics: evolution of status.

🏺 Essay about Ancient Greece Olympics: Topic Ideas

Looking for the best Olympic Games topic? Here are some exciting and fresh ideas for writing an essay about the Olympic Games of ancient times.

• The rationale and mythology surrounding the Olympic Games.
• The origin of the Olympic Games.
• The concept of Ekecheiria (Olympic truce) in ancient times.
• Mesoamerican Ballgame: The Origin, Cultural, Formal and Material Aspects .
• The impact of the ancient Olympics on the spread of Hellenistic culture .
• Religious festivities during the Olympics.
• Eligibility criteria for athletic participation in the Olympics.
• The fate of the Olympic winner: what privileges were they awarded?
• Competing mythological stories about the origin of the Olympics: Heracles vs. Pelops.
• Athletic events in the Mediterranean as the roots of the Olympics.
• The peculiarities of the ancient Olympiad calendar.
• Evolution of the Olympics from regional competitions to part of the Panhellenic Games.
• Olympic vs. Pythian games.
• Health Care Career Choice: Athletic Trainer.
• The Olympic Games during the imperial period.
• Robbery of the Olympia by General Sulla.
• Revival of the Olympics under Emperor Augustus.
• Unanimous winner: the infamous story of the Olympic Games and Emperor Nero.
• The second revival of the Olympic Games under Philhellenic rulers.
• Decline of the Olympics in the 3rd century AD: causes and processes.
• Evolution of location choices for hosting ancient Olympic Games.
• The culture of the Olympics: from religion to broader cultural significance.
• Olympics and politics in ancient Greece.
• Athletic activities included in the ancient Olympics.
• Training for Olympic competitions in the ancient period.
• Running as an ancient Olympic kind of sport.
• The role of pentathlon in the ancient Olympics.
• Sports Coaching Career and Its History.
• Variety of equestrian events in the ancient Olympics.
• The most famous Olympic athletes of ancient times.
• The origins of the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies.
• Exclusion of women from the ancient Olympics Games.
• Cheating in the ancient Olympics.
• Religiosity as the central aspect of the ancient Olympics.
• VR technology for the reconstruction of the ancient Olympics.
• The myth around universal eligibility of athletes.
• Travel routines of ancient Olympic Games spectators.
• Conditions for athletes and spectators at the ancient Olympics.
• The first Olympic Games.
• The fundamentals of the Olympic spirit: games for the gods.
• Olympic Games’ lessons for peace.
• The concept of athletic excellence in the ancient vs. modern Olympics.
• The cultural significance of the ancient Olympics.

🦼 Essay on Special Olympics: Topics

• Arguments against Special Olympics.
• What drives Special Olympic athletes to participate?
• Contribution of Special Olympics to social acceptance of people with mental disabilities.
• Special Olympics and community integration of disabled athletes.
• How Do Sports Affect Disabled People Psychologically?
• The potential benefits of Special Olympics for the physically disabled.
• Volunteering motivations among Special Olympics participants.
• Self-concept and participation in Special Olympics.
• The role of Special Olympics in making mental handicaps more understandable to the community.
• Segregation of the Special Olympics program from other Olympic events.
• Damaging effects of participant labeling as handicapped at the Special Olympics.
• The stigmatizing effect of the term “special” in Special Olympics.
• History and rationale behind Special Olympics’ creation.
• Shriver’s ideas behind the Special Olympics program.
• The symbolism of the Special Olympics logo .
• Host cities for the Special Olympics World Games.
• Eligibility criteria for participation in Special Olympic games.
• List of sports activities covered in the Special Olympics program.
• The concept of Unified Sport.
• Health screenings for Special Olympics participants – the Healthy Athletes initiative.
• Special Olympics and paternalism.
• “We Want More Diversity but…” in Sports Clubs.
• Psychosocial consequences of involvement in the Special Olympics.
• Postural stability in Special Olympics athletes.
• Ethical concerns surrounding the Special Olympics program.
• Parental justifications for Special Olympics participation.
• Commercialization of Special Olympics.
• Special Olympics as a controversial program for people with severe disabilities.
• Social skills development among Special Olympics athletes.
• Disabled athletes and team sports.
• Promoting social inclusion for people with severe disabilities via sport.
• Cardiovascular health of Special Olympics participants.
• Coaching at the Special Olympics.
• Effects of Special Olympics participation on the self-efficacy of people with Down syndrome.
• Prevalence of obesity among Special Olympics participants.
• Injuries sustained during the Special Olympics contests.
• Is Special Olympics a sport or social event?

🏅 Politics and the Olympics Essay: Topics

• Nationalism and identity at the modern Olympics.
• China’s soft power strategy at the Beijing Olympics.
• Sports Analysis: Steroids and HGH in Sports.
• A political history of the modern Olympics.
• Olympics and Its Economic Impact.
• Rebranding of China at the Olympics: Beijing vs. Rio.
• Language policy in the planning of Olympic events.
• Economic Impact of the London 2012 Olympics on the UK Economy.
• Nation branding and country image: how the Olympic Games help shape them.
• The concept of sport nationalism .
• Institutions and governance of sport: a case of the Olympics.
• Participation in the Olympic Games during warfare.
• Physical Therapy Services for Sports Injuries.
• China’s Olympic dream.
• Dilemmas of intersecting sports and politics at the Olympics.
• Political heritage of the Olympic Games.
• Using Performance-Enhancing Drugs and in World of Sport.
• Olympics as a tool of power and protest.
• London 2012 Olympic Games.
• Eurocentrism in the modern Olympic games.
• Policy analysis of gender inequality in the Olympics.
• Determinants of national success at the Olympics.
• Modern Olympics as a celebration of capitalism.
• Human Resource Management for Tourism, Sports and Creative Industries.
• Mega-event Olympic politics: lessons for the hosting cities.
• Jews and the Olympics.
• Agenda 2020: promise and reality of organizational change.
• The politics of Olympic doping: 1960-2008.
• Behind the scenes of Olympic politics.
• Gender politics of the Olympics.
• Global politics and the Olympics.
• The fundamentals of sports politics.
• The 1936 Nazi games in Berlin.
• Children Participation in Sports.
• Political steering at the 2012 London Games.
• Apoliticism and power games at the Olympics.
• How to keep politics out of sports? The case of the Olympic Games.
• Bribery charges in the IOC.
• 2008 Olympic Games in China.
• The Olympic Charter’s position on misconduct.
• Corruption in the bidding process at the Olympics.
• Macro-politics and the Olympic hegemony.
• Sports-Related Problems and Conflicts.
• Attempts to challenge the Olympic supremacy with alternative sports competitions.
• Colonialism and sport at the Olympics.

In this section, we will explain how to write an essay about Olympic Games. Below, you will find detailed explanations and examples.

Olympic Game Essay: Introduction

The introduction should give the reader a clear understanding of the paper’s content and significance. This section should be engaging and informative, setting the stage for the rest of the essay.

Body Paragraph on Olympic Games

Use transitions to ensure your essay flows smoothly. Each section should build on the previous one and contribute to the overall argument or thesis statement.

Olympic Essay Conclusion

Then, reflect on the significance of the topic and its implications for the readers or society. Avoid presenting new information or arguments in the conclusion . Instead, this section should provide a sense of closure and leave a lasting impression of the writer’s ideas.

Now it’s time to follow the tips and guidelines outlined in this article to write a successful paper. Pick a topic that interests you, do research, and organize your essay logically. Use our free online topic generator if you need more ideas for your paper.

• More Than the Games: The Olympics and the Global Spotlight on Societal Issues | University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• The Necessity of Considering the Challenges Facing Olympic Movement | ResearchGate
• The Dirty Games: How London 2012 Became Tainted | The Guardian
• Beijing Olympics Then and Now | NBC News
• The Olympics — Then and Now | UCI School of Humanities
• How to Write a Strong Body Paragraph for an Essay | MasterClass
• Going for Gold: Research Topics on the Olympic and Paralympic Games | Frontiers
• The History of the Olympic Games | BBC
• Olympics: Topics in Chronicling America | Library of Congress

414 Proposal Essay Topics for Projects, Research, & Proposal Arguments

725 research proposal topics & title ideas in education, psychology, business, & more.

Essay on Olympic Games

Students are often asked to write an essay on Olympic Games in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Olympic Games

Introduction.

The Olympic Games are a global sports event held every four years. They bring together athletes from all over the world to compete in a variety of sports.

The Olympics originated in ancient Greece around 776 BC. Back then, it was a religious festival to honor the god Zeus.

Modern Olympics

The modern Olympics started in 1896, thanks to Pierre de Coubertin. They include summer and winter games, with thousands of athletes participating.

The Olympic rings symbolize unity. The five rings represent the continents of the world, united by the spirit of sportsmanship.

Also check:

250 Words Essay on Olympic Games

The Olympic Games, a global sporting event held every four years, is the epitome of athletic excellence and international camaraderie. It traces its origin back to 776 BC in Olympia, Greece, where it was held as a religious festival to honor Zeus, the king of the Greek gods.

Evolution of the Games

The modern Olympics, inaugurated in 1896, has grown from a primarily European event to a truly global phenomenon. The Games have evolved to include more sports, athletes, and nations over the years. They are now divided into Summer and Winter Olympics, accommodating a diverse range of sports activities.

Symbolism and Values

The Olympics represent more than just competition. They symbolize unity, peace, and the human spirit’s indomitable will. The five interlocked rings on the Olympic flag signify the global nature of the Games, bringing together athletes from five continents.

Impact of the Olympics

The Olympics have significant socio-economic impacts on the host cities and countries. They stimulate infrastructure development, create jobs, and boost tourism. However, they also pose challenges, including high costs and potential environmental damage.

In conclusion, the Olympic Games are a testament to human potential and global unity. Despite the challenges, they continue to inspire generations, fostering a sense of global community and shared humanity. The Olympics embody the spirit of perseverance, resilience, and mutual respect, transcending the barriers of nationality, race, and creed.

500 Words Essay on Olympic Games

The Olympic Games, a quadrennial international multi-sport event, is one of the most significant global sporting phenomena. Originating in ancient Greece around 776 BC, the Olympics symbolize unity, sportsmanship, and global camaraderie.

Historical Overview

The ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, as a religious and athletic festival to honor Zeus, the king of Greek Gods. The Games were marked by a sacred truce, encouraging peace among the warring city-states. However, in 393 AD, they were abolished by Emperor Theodosius I, who considered them a pagan ritual.

Revived in 1896 by Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator and historian, the modern Olympics have come a long way. Coubertin’s intention was to promote international understanding and peace through sporting competition. His vision has largely been realized, with the Games evolving into a global event that brings together athletes from over 200 nations.

The Olympic Ideals

Impact on globalization.

The Olympics have played a significant role in globalization. They have become a platform for nations to showcase their cultural heritage, technological advancements, and economic prowess. The Games’ global audience also facilitates cultural exchange and understanding, thereby fostering global unity and peace.

Controversies and Challenges

Despite its noble ideals, the Olympics have not been without controversies and challenges. Issues such as doping, corruption within the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and political boycotts have often marred the Games. The high costs of hosting the event have also led to debates about its economic viability and sustainability.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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114 Olympic Games Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

The Olympic Games have always been a source of inspiration, excitement, and unity for people all around the world. With a history dating back to ancient Greece, the Olympics have evolved into a global sporting event that showcases the best athletes from various nations competing against each other in a spirit of fair play and sportsmanship.

If you're tasked with writing an essay on the Olympic Games, you may be wondering where to start. To help you get started, here are 114 Olympic Games essay topic ideas and examples to spark your creativity and imagination:

• The History of the Olympic Games
• The Ancient Olympics vs. the Modern Olympics
• The Impact of the Olympics on Host Cities
• The Role of Women in the Olympic Games
• The Ethics of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in the Olympics
• The Economic Impact of Hosting the Olympics
• The Politics of the Olympics
• The Cultural Significance of the Opening Ceremony
• The Evolution of Olympic Sports
• The Role of Social Media in the Olympics
• The Paralympic Games: Celebrating Athletes with Disabilities
• The Olympic Movement: Promoting Peace and Unity
• The Legacy of Olympic Host Cities
• The Controversy Surrounding Olympic Mascots
• The Role of Nationalism in the Olympics
• The Importance of Fair Play in Olympic Competition
• The Impact of COVID-19 on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
• The Environmental Impact of the Olympics
• The Olympic Torch Relay: Symbol of Unity and Peace
• The Role of Sponsorship in the Olympics
• The Evolution of Olympic Broadcasting
• The Olympic Rings: Symbol of the Olympic Movement
• The Olympic Flame: Symbol of Hope and Inspiration
• The Olympic Creed: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part"
• The Olympic Oath: "In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them"
• The Role of Volunteers in the Olympics
• The Impact of the Olympics on Athletes' Mental Health
• The Olympic Village: Home Away from Home for Athletes
• The Olympic Flag: Symbol of International Cooperation
• The Role of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
• The Olympic Charter: Guiding Principles of the Olympic Movement
• The Olympic Anthem: "Olympic Hymn" by Spyridon Samaras
• The Olympic Motto: "Citius, Altius, Fortius" (Faster, Higher, Stronger)
• The Olympic Medals: Gold, Silver, and Bronze
• The Olympic Games and World War I
• The Olympic Games and World War II
• The Impact of Terrorism on the Olympics
• The Olympic Truce: Promoting Peace during the Games
• The Olympic Order: Honoring Individuals for Their Contributions to the Olympic Movement
• The Olympic Congress: Forum for Discussing Issues Affecting the Olympics
• The Olympic Museum: Preserving the History of the Games
• The Olympic Halls of Fame: Honoring Legendary Athletes
• The Olympic Village: Sustainable Design and Construction
• The Olympic Legacy: How Host Cities Benefit from Hosting the Games
• The Role of Sportsmanship in the Olympics
• The Olympic Games and Gender Equality
• The Evolution of Olympic Uniforms
• The Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony: Tradition and Symbolism
• The Olympic Closing Ceremony: Celebrating the End of the Games
• The Olympic Games and Athlete Activism
• The Olympic Games and LGBTQ Rights
• The Olympic Games and Indigenous Peoples
• The Role of Technology in the Olympics
• The Olympic Games and Climate Change
• The Olympic Games and Globalization
• The Olympic Games and Disability Rights
• The Olympic Games and Human Rights
• The Olympic Games and Environmental Sustainability
• The Olympic Games and Social Justice
• The Olympic Games and Refugee Athletes
• The Olympic Games and Anti-Doping Measures
• The Olympic Games and Athlete Safety
• The Olympic Games and Athlete Well-Being
• The Olympic Games and Cultural Exchange
• The Olympic Games and Diplomacy
• The Olympic Games and International Relations
• The Olympic Games and Peacebuilding
• The Olympic Games and Sports Diplomacy
• The Olympic Games and Soft Power
• The Olympic Games and Youth Engagement
• The Olympic Games and Education
• The Olympic Games and Health Promotion
• The Olympic Games and Social Inclusion
• The Olympic Games and Sustainable Development
• The Olympic Games and Urban Regeneration
• The Olympic Games and Legacy Planning
• The Olympic Games and Community Engagement
• The Olympic Games and Volunteerism
• The Olympic Games and Sponsorship Activation
• The Olympic Games and Broadcast Rights
• The Olympic Games and Marketing Strategies
• The Olympic Games and Merchandising
• The Olympic Games and Fan Engagement
• The Olympic Games and Ticketing
• The Olympic Games and Security Measures
• The Olympic Games and Transportation Planning
• The Olympic Games and Accommodation
• The Olympic Games and Food and Beverage Services
• The Olympic Games and Waste Management
• The Olympic Games and Energy Efficiency
• The Olympic Games and Water Conservation
• The Olympic Games and Air Quality
• The Olympic Games and Biodiversity Conservation
• The Olympic Games and Climate Action
• The Olympic Games and Sustainable Sourcing
• The Olympic Games and Green Building
• The Olympic Games and Carbon Neutrality
• The Olympic Games and Zero Waste
• The Olympic Games and Circular Economy
• The Olympic Games and Social Impact
• The Olympic Games and Economic Development
• The Olympic Games and Infrastructure Investment
• The Olympic Games and Job Creation
• The Olympic Games and Tourism Promotion
• The Olympic Games and Cultural Heritage
• The Olympic Games and Urban Planning
• The Olympic Games and Public Health
• The Olympic Games and Disaster Preparedness
• The Olympic Games and Emergency Response
• The Olympic Games and Risk Management
• The Olympic Games and Crisis Communication
• The Olympic Games and Stakeholder Engagement
• The Olympic Games and Corporate Social Responsibility
• The Olympic Games and Ethical Leadership

With so many interesting and diverse topics to choose from, writing an essay on the Olympic Games can be a rewarding and enlightening experience. Whether you're exploring the history of the Olympics, analyzing the impact of the Games on society, or discussing the ethical issues surrounding Olympic competition, there's no shortage of fascinating subjects to explore. So grab your pen and paper, choose a topic that piques your interest, and start writing your own Olympic Games essay today!

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IELTS Essay: The Olympic Games

by Dave | Real Past Tests | 3 Comments

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of whether or countries should invest in hosting the Olympic games from the real IELTS exam.

I wrote about a very similar topic a few years back – the same questions can come up again and again on IELTS!

Please consider supporting my efforts to creative high quality IELTS materials for students around the world by signing up for my Patreon (and don’t miss any of my exclusive IELTS Ebooks)!

Some believe that the Olympic games help bring people from different nations together, while others claim that holding the Olympics wastes money which could be used for important issues.

Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

There are many who claim hosting the Olympics unproductively diverts money from more essential areas. In my opinion, despite these valid objections, there is still great value in the unifying impact of the Olympics.

Critics argue there are urgent needs that should be prioritised over a sporting event. This applies to every nation but particularly developing ones. For example, the Olympics in Brazil in 2016 led to mass unrest and protests as locals felt too much money was being spent on the event and not enough on helping to alleviate worsening conditions among underprivileged segments of society. The government could have instead improved the infrastructure used by millions daily, invested more in education, or built more hospitals. These allocations of the federal budget would not only serve an immediate purpose but also have a longer lasting effect than the Olympics.

Nonetheless, most Olympic games are sponsored by developed nations and they occur very rarely which justifies their efforts to unify. The countries competing in the Olympics often have fraught international relationships and competition can counter-intuitively decrease tensions. Supporters may root against other countries at specific instances, such as when watching a football match, but they are united in their love of sports and the shared viewing experience. This has the subtle but powerful unconscious result of fostering greater empathy between diverse ethnic and national groups. When an individual roots for their country and their athletes, and sees other individuals partaking in the same ritual, they will realise that association within a larger tribe is an essential, common human trait.

In conclusion, despite the seemingly inefficient allocation of funds, the Olympics are a mass, cooperative effort that has tremendous value. Therefore, countries should consider hosting the games a great honor.

1. There are many who claim hosting the Olympics unproductively diverts money from more essential areas. 2. In my opinion, despite these valid objections, there is still great value in the unifying impact of the Olympics.

• Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
• Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here .

1. Critics argue there are urgent needs that should be prioritised over a sporting event. 2. This applies to every nation but particularly developing ones. 3. For example, the Olympics in Brazil in 2016 led to mass unrest and protests as locals felt too much money was being spent on the event and not enough on helping to alleviate worsening conditions among underprivileged segments of society. 4. The government could have instead improved the infrastructure used by millions daily, invested more in education, or built more hospitals. 5. These allocations of the federal budget would not only serve an immediate purpose but also have a longer lasting effect than the Olympics.

• Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
• Explain your main idea.
• Develop it with specific examples.
• Continue to develop it.
• State the result.
• Develop it fully.

1. Nonetheless, most Olympic games are sponsored by developed nations and they occur very rarely which justifies their efforts to unify. 2. The countries competing in the Olympics often have fraught international relationships and competition can counter-intuitively decrease tensions. 3. Supporters may root against other countries at specific instances, such as when watching a football match, but they are united in their love of sports and the shared viewing experience. 4. This has the subtle but powerful unconscious result of fostering greater empathy between diverse ethnic and national groups. 5. When an individual roots for their country and their athletes, and sees other individuals partaking in the same ritual, they will realise that association within a larger tribe is an essential, common human trait.

• Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
• Explain your new main idea.
• Include specific details and examples.
• The more specific, the better.
• Develop the example fully by stating the result.

1. In conclusion, despite the seemingly inefficient allocation of funds, the Olympics are a mass, cooperative effort that has tremendous value. 2. Therefore, countries should consider hosting the games a great honor.

• Summarise your main ideas.
• Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here .

What do the words in bold below mean?

There are many who claim hosting the Olympics unproductively diverts money from more essential areas . In my opinion, despite these valid objections , there is still great value in the unifying impact of the Olympics.

Critics argue there are urgent needs that should be prioritised over a sporting event . This applies to every nation but particularly developing ones. For example, the Olympics in Brazil in 2016 led to mass unrest and protests as locals felt too much money was being spent on the event and not enough on helping to alleviate worsening conditions among underprivileged segments of society . The government could have instead improved the infrastructure used by millions daily, invested more in education, or built more hospitals. These allocations of the federal budget would not only serve an immediate purpose but also have a longer lasting effect than the Olympics.

Nonetheless, most Olympic games are sponsored by developed nations and they occur very rarely which justifies their efforts to unify . The countries competing in the Olympics often have fraught international relationships and competition can counter-intuitively decrease tensions . Supporters may root against other countries at specific instances , such as when watching a football match, but they are united in their love of sports and the shared viewing experience . This has the subtle but powerful unconscious result of fostering greater empathy between diverse ethnic and national groups . When an individual roots for their country and their athletes, and sees other individuals partaking in the same ritual , they will realise that association within a larger tribe is an essential , common human trait .

In conclusion, despite the seemingly inefficient allocation of funds, the Olympics are a mass , cooperative effort that has tremendous value . Therefore, countries should consider hosting the games a great honor .

claim argue

hosting the Olympics being in charge of the games

unproductively diverts uselessly takes away

more essential areas more important parts

despite regardless of

valid objections legitimate concerns

still great value continues to be worth it

unifying impact keeps people together

critics those who are against this

urgent needs necessary now

prioritised over made more important than

sporting event Olympics, games, matches, etc.

applies is relevant to

particularly especially

mass unrest people unhappy

protests unrest

locals those who live in a country

alleviate worsening conditions make things better

underprivileged segments of society poorer parts of a country

instead improved better choice to help

infrastructure streets, roads, buildings, etc.

allocations how money is assigned

federal budget government’s money to spend

serve an immediate purpose useful now

longer lasting effect more helpful in the future

sponsored by hosted by

efforts to unify try to bring people together

fraught international relationships conflicts between countries

counter-intuitively decrease tensions against expectations help pacify

root against be against the other side

specific instances isolated moments

united brought together

shared viewing experience everyone watching at the same time

subtle less obvious

unconscious result without meaning to the effect

fostering greater empathy increasing understanding between peoples

diverse ethnic and national groups different races, nationalities

partaking taking part in

ritual ceremony

association relationship

tribe group

essential key

common human trait everyone does this

inefficient allocation not a good way to spend

mass everyone together

cooperative effort all working together

tremendous value lots of importance

consider think about

a great honor very important

Pronunciation

kleɪm   ˈhəʊstɪŋ ði əʊˈlɪmpɪks   ˌʌnprəˈdʌktɪvli daɪˈvɜːts   mɔːr ɪˈsɛnʃəl ˈeərɪəz dɪsˈpaɪt   ˈvælɪd əbˈʤɛkʃənz stɪl greɪt ˈvæljuː ˈjuːnɪfaɪɪŋ ˈɪmpækt   ˈkrɪtɪks   ˈɜːʤənt niːdz   praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪzd ˈəʊvə   ˈspɔːtɪŋ ɪˈvɛnt əˈplaɪz   pəˈtɪkjʊləli   mæs ʌnˈrɛst   ˈprəʊtɛsts   ˈləʊkəlz   əˈliːvɪeɪt ˈwɜːsnɪŋ kənˈdɪʃənz   ˌʌndəˈprɪvɪlɪʤd ˈsɛgmənts ɒv səˈsaɪəti ɪnˈstɛd ɪmˈpruːvd   ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌkʧə   ˌæləʊˈkeɪʃ(ə)nz   ˈfɛdərəl ˈbʌʤɪt   sɜːv ən ɪˈmiːdiət ˈpɜːpəs   ˈlɒŋgə ˈlɑːstɪŋ ɪˈfɛkt   ˈspɒnsəd baɪ   ˈɛfəts tuː ˈjuːnɪfaɪ frɔːt ˌɪntə(ː)ˈnæʃənl rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪps   ˈkaʊntər-ɪnˈtju(ː)ɪtɪvli ˈdiːkriːs ˈtɛnʃənz ruːt əˈgɛnst   spɪˈsɪfɪk ˈɪnstənsɪz jʊˈnaɪtɪd   ʃeəd ˈvjuːɪŋ ɪksˈpɪərɪəns ˈsʌtl   ʌnˈkɒnʃəs rɪˈzʌlt   ˈfɒstərɪŋ ˈgreɪtər ˈɛmpəθi   daɪˈvɜːs ˈɛθnɪk ænd ˈnæʃənl gruːps pɑːˈteɪkɪŋ   ˈrɪʧʊəl əˌsəʊsɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n   traɪb   ɪˈsɛnʃəl ˈkɒmən ˈhjuːmən treɪt ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt ˌæləʊˈkeɪʃ(ə)n   mæs kəʊˈɒpərətɪv ˈɛfət   trɪˈmɛndəs ˈvæljuː kənˈsɪdə   ə greɪt ˈɒnə

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

There are many who c_______m h____________________s u______________________s money from m_______________________s . In my opinion, d_________e these v_______________________s , there is s_______________________e in the u_________________t of the Olympics.

C________s argue there are u_______________s that should be p_________________r a s_________________t . This a_________s to every nation but p__________________y developing ones. For example, the Olympics in Brazil in 2016 led to m_____________t and p_________s as l________s felt too much money was being spent on the event and not enough on helping to a__________________________________s among u______________________________________y . The government could have i________________________d the i____________________e used by millions daily, invested more in education, or built more hospitals. These a______________s of the f___________________t would not only s_____________________________e but also have a l______________________________t than the Olympics.

Nonetheless, most Olympic games are s____________________y developed nations and they occur very rarely which justifies their e__________________y . The countries competing in the Olympics often have f_____________________________s and competition can c___________________________________s . Supporters may r__________________t other countries at s_____________________s , such as when watching a football match, but they are u_________d in their love of sports and the s_______________________________e . This has the s____________e but powerful u________________________t of f______________________________y between d_______________________________________s . When an individual roots for their country and their athletes, and sees other individuals p______________g in the same r__________l , they will realise that a________________n within a larger t_______e is an e_______________l , c___________________t .

In conclusion, despite the seemingly i______________________n of funds, the Olympics are a m______s , c______________________t that has t_________________________e . Therefore, countries should c___________r hosting the games a____________________r .

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities :

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice :

https://apnews.com/article/tokyo-coronavirus-pandemic-2020-tokyo-olympics-japan-olympic-games-3c46bce81928865d9aae0832b5ddd9e3#:~:text=TOKYO%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20The%20official,billion%20in%20last%20year’s%20budget.

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam :

• Which sport do you like to play?
• Have you ever been on a sports team?
• Do you like watching sports on TV?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related topic below and then check with my sample answer:

Some people think that it is a waste of money for countries to host big sporting events like the world cup, and that the money would be better spent on other things. However, others think that hosting large sporting events has a clear, positive impact on a country.

Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: The World Cup and Olympics

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A number of people argue that the Olympic games are essential to bringing the individuals of different countries together, whereas other members of society claim that organizing the Olympics is a waste of financial resources which the governments can invest in for other crucial problems. In my opinion, there are exceptions, but Olympics overall is worth spending money on it. 

Resulting from remarkable shifts in sport tendencies, the circumstances in which Olympic games are a case when all people around the planet get-together seems to have become more widespread. Sufficient findings show that organizing such international competitive games not only increases people’s willingness to do a sport but also gives a chance to people to find new friends. In many countries, since the first Olympic game in 1859, the number of people who have started to run, swim and do gymnastics has been increased significantly. Another point to consider is that by participating or just visiting the Olympic games you probably can meet new people with whom you have a common topic to discuss. Therefore, organizing such international competitions is very important to society, and hardly anybody can refuse to accept that it is exceptionally challenging to underestimate this. 

However, some experts who believe that the Olympic games are a waste of money could consider the aforementioned point of view debatable. Highlighting the argument, there are a lot of issues such as world poverty, global warming that should be tackled as soon as possible. Instead of investing money in them, governments spend billions of dollars on worldwide entertainment. Although the governments put these issues on the top of their agenda, they can’t underestimate social demand. Nevertheless, it is essential to weigh all the facets of every particular situation. 

To sum up, the former judgment is more ci=onvenint, since this is backed up by my own opinion, for I am a social worker who understands that the Olympics has a tremendous value for society. 

Hello, is my essay readable? or I should make it less complicated?

Nice job though it is a little long!

Your level of academic vocabulary is good so don’t dumb it down. Be sure that you don’t use contractions in academic writing and watch your spelling!

Many are of the belief that the Olympic games are vital in bringing different countries together. Despite this positive impact, I personally believe that the funds in Olympics could be diverted for pressing social issues.   Those who decry the claim points out the positive impact on cultural and harmonious bond between countries. When nations unify to celebrate sports, it incites social awareness and mutual understanding between different religious and racial groups. Simultaneously, the host country greatly benefit from global media coverage that is speculated by large masses from all over the world and therefore promote influx of tourism in the long-run. The economic and diplomatic relations between nations will strengthen for future investments. As a result, discrimination and stereotypical movements can be narrowed when nations come together.    Nonetheless, the benefits of the Olympics focuses on narrowed audience for short period which justifies the financial budget to be purposefully used for other national issues. Most people watch the Olympics on television or computer for leisure which, ironically, remotely focuses on the publicity of the host country. The infrastructure and sporting facilities, like the stadiums, constructed for the games become unused, increasing the burden on the financial constraints of accommodation, transport, food for the athletes. These wasted monetary budget can be responsibility delegated to education for all and eliminating poverty for the underprivileged. As a result, the low-income nations can economically benefit further when the funds are properly managed.   In brief, though the Olympics unites nations from all over the world, the extensive sums spent on the games can be wisely used for meaningful issues that can help the developing nations profitably. Government and corporations, however, should be responsible in distributing the Olympic funds in a careful manner. 

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105 Olympic Games Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best olympic games topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good research topics about olympic games, 🤔 interesting topics to write about olympic games, ❓ research questions about the olympics.

• Importance of Olympic Games On the debut, the first event was a sprint where the winner earned himself a leaf from the olive tree, being accorded a deity-like status by the poets and being recognized as a hero for […]
• Economic Impact of Hosting the Olympics For example, facilities constructed before the commencement of the games remain unused for most of the year after completion of the games in many countries.
• Olympic Games and IT In this department, IT has had a significant impact in that this is the department that has been tasked with the mandate of having to sell the tickets for all the games that are scheduled […]
• 2012 London Olympic Games: Ticket Retailing Challenges The Olympic Games performance in the UK depends highly on the sales of the ticketing for the four main types of events and the other events.
• The Influence of the Olympic Games on the Development of Asian Cities The Olympic Games significantly contribute to the development of sports and promotion of a healthy lifestyle of residents in the country where they are hosted, boost the development of international relations, strengthen peace and mutual […]
• The Olympic Games 2018 and Its Fans According to the survey conducted by the Center for the Digital Future, “35% of men and 32% of women” express a high level of interest in the Olympic Games.
• Security Failures at the Munich Olympic Games Although terrorism was already a renowned international threat in the 1970s, security during this event was not strong enough to prevent the invasion of the Olympic village by the Palestinian extremists.
• The Olympic Games Controversies in Berlin and Other Cities Being the major event in the world of sports, the Olympic Games is one of the examples as multiple controversies of different levels of value follow each of the games.
• Coca-Cola Image on the Next Olympic Games Taking the Coca-Cola Company, we will focus our attention on how to influence the UK target audience, consider the determining price elasticity of demand for Coca Cola Company at the Olympics, and the likely effects […]
• Olympic Games: Healthy Lifestyle Concepts Embodying the ideas of community of spirit, prizing the values of excellence, respect and friendship, Olympics serve as a means for uniting people of the world with the objective to build a better world through […]
• Western Civilization: The Olympic Games’ History Ancient Greeks held strict moral and ethical codes while conducting the Olympics because it was not just a competition for them; it was a glorification of the true ideals, valor, and gallantry of an athlete. […]
• The Effects of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games The city of Rio de Janeiro, the host of the 2016 Olympic Games, went through this process, but the results of the event are a topic for debate to this day.
• London Olympic Games: Banning Reasons It now became a commonplace practice among many people to think that one of the main purposes of Olympic Games is to help the participating athletes and the spectators to embrace the spirit of apoliticalness […]
• The 2012 Olympic Games Human Resource Planning The application of these aspects in the process of planning for the 2012 Olympic Games will play a major role in facilitating the organizing process.
• Britain Marketing Tourism: the Olympic Games in 2012 In fact, the tourism industry is among the top ranked industries in Britain and accounts for a third of the total export the country earns.
• London 2012 Olympic Games Marketing Specifically, 25% of the tickets are reserved for UK residents with the other parts of Europe and the world purchasing the remaining percentage of the tickets.
• Olympic Games Benefits and Costs In the run-up to the historic London Olympic Games in 2012, the organizing committee encountered great challenges in the mechanisms of selling out the eight million tickets equitably among the twenty-six events in the games.
• Olympic Games Contributions Given the fact that the Olympic Games are meant to increase cultural diversification, event organizers should strive to ensure that the public makes the best out of the events.
• The Impact of Olympic Games on Supply Management Therefore, it is important to focus on some of the factors that the companies might be undergoing in the pre-preparation of the event with regard to the issues that are arising to them now, those […]
• The London 2012 Olympic Games Purpose of the Report The general aim of this report is to assess the sustainability of the London games 2012. The use of the three sustainability indicators is in line with the legacy of the […]
• The 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Munich, Germany The shareholders will include the local municipality of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the Free State of Bavaria, the NOC, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Rural District of Berchtesgadener. The City of Munich will be the center […]
• London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games Marketing Practices In achieving the stated aim, the author incorporated the following as the key sections upon which the report was build on: To start with, the author tackled the introduction section that did present a review […]
• Effectiveness of Public Relations & Relationship Marketing to the Successful Promotion of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games To conclude, it is evident from the assessment that public relations and relationship marketing are effective to the successful promotion of international events.
• The London Olympic Games Thus the supply and demand concept is destined to have a very handsome effect on the economy of London, the strategic environment of the 2012 Olympics.
• Past Olympic Games and London 2012 While the major goal of the IOC in awarding the Olympic Games to a city is to foster competitive sport and promote athletic development, the motivations of the host city are significantly different.
• Economic impact of the Olympic Games This report aims: To identify the economic, social, and environmental impacts resulting from hosting of Olympic Games To give a detailed analysis of the identified economic, social, and environment effects of Olympic Games The report […]
• The 2012 London Olympic Games Human Resource Management The environment that surrounds the preparation for the Olympic event is such a challenging task since it deals with a handful of both logistical concerns and a diverse team of individuals, and for this reason, […]
• Comparison of Ancient and Modern Olympic Games
• Conservative Critique of the Hosting of the Olympic Games
• Critique on Sydney 2000 Olympic Games: a Project Management Perspective
• How the Participation of Women Changed During the History of the Olympic Games?
• Analysis of Tourists’ Expenditures at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games
• Advantages and Disadvantages of the Olympic Games
• Analysis of Baron Pierre de Coubertin’s Views About the Ancient Olympic Games
• Analysis of Major Sporting Events in the Olympic Games
• Analysis of the Life Philosophy of the Olympic Games Worldwide
• Analysis of Swimming Competition in the Olympic Games
• Benefits Of Hosting The Olympic Games
• Competitive Aerobics Is a Great Event in the Olympic Games
• Cultural Imperialism in Relation to the Olympic Games
• Does Effectiveness of Skill in Complex I Predict Win in Men’s Olympic Volleyball Games?
• Does Holding the Olympic Games Have Benefits for the Host Country?
• How Fencers Qualify For The Beijing Olympic Games?
• How the Wights to Stage the Olympic and Paralympic Games Changed Australia?
• How to Win the Olympic Games – The Empirics of Key Success Factors of Olympic Bids
• Positive and Negative Impacts of the Olympic Games
• What Do I Think About The Olympic Games?
• Who Wins the Olympic Games: Economic Resources and Medal Totals?
• Olympic Games in Berlin
• Beinjing,China Olympic Games Controversy
• Brief Timeline of the Olympic Games
• History of the Olympic Games, an Athletic Event Tradition from Ancient Greece
• Overview of the Olympic Athlete and the Olympic Games
• Assessing The Olympic Games: The Economic Impact And Beyond
• Tale of Two Seasons: Participation and Medal Counts at the Summer and Winter Olympic Games
• Canada’s Role in the Olympic Games
• Coca Cola And The Olympic Games
• Cosmetology: Summer Olympic Games and Gold Medal
• Economic Benefits of Sponsorship of Olympic Games
• Employment Effects of the Olympic Games in Atlanta 1996
• Mcdonald ‘s Beijing Olympic Games Campaign
• Olympic Games and Political Advertisement
• Politics Of Representation The Media Representation Of The Sydney Olympic Games
• Injustice of Political Ploys at the Olympic Games
• Calculation of the Regional Impact of Olympic Games
• Cost Of The Olympic Games
• The Olympic Games : The World ‘s Largest Sporting Display Held
• Success of Adidas’ Olympic Games Brand Strategy
• What Goes into a Medal: Women’s Inclusion and Success at the Olympic Games
• Winter Olympic Games and Nutrition Information
• Why Are the Olympics Every Four Years?
• What Do the Five Rings in the Olympics Flag Represent?
• What Is the Olympics Motto?
• How Old Was the Oldest to Win a Medal, the Olympics at the Winter Games?
• Who Created the Olympics Symbol?
• Who Was the Youngest in the Olympics Ever?
• Is There the Olympics Age Limit?
• Who Is the Youngest Person to Win a Gold Medal in the Olympics?
• London 2012: Did the Olympics Benefit or Leave a Legacy of Widening Social Inequality?
• Who Is the Oldest Woman to Win the Olympics Gold Medal?
• What Is the Real Purpose of the Olympics?
• What Are the Benefits of the Olympics?
• What Impact Do the Olympics Have on Society?
• What Are the Seven Values of the Olympics Games?
• How Do the Olympics Affect the Environment?
• How Do the Olympics Promote Peace?
• Why Were the Olympics Originally Banished?
• How Are Racial Issues Such as Stereotyping, Centrality, and Stacking Related to the Olympics?
• How Much Have the Olympics Changed Since Ancient Times?
• How Has Technology Affected the Olympics?
• How the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games Made Its Mark on the Memoirs of the Olympics?
• How Did the Olympics Change Barcelona?
• Should Boston Host the Olympics?
• Should the Olympics Have Events for Men and Women?
• What’s Left When the Olympics Are Over?
• Why Do the Olympics Have Three Prizes and Not Just One?
• Why Shouldn’t the Olympics Be Thrown Away?
• Why Should Wrestling Stay at the Olympics?
• Will London Holding the Olympics in 2012 Result in More Costs or More Benefits to UK Nationwide?
• Who Is the Oldest to Win Gold in the Olympics?
• Yoga Questions
• Dance Essay Ideas
• Professionalism Research Ideas
• Hard Work Research Topics
• Success Ideas
• Goals Questions
• Career Ideas
• Leadership Qualities Research Ideas
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, September 27). 105 Olympic Games Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/olympic-games-essay-topics/

"105 Olympic Games Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 27 Sept. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/olympic-games-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '105 Olympic Games Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 27 September.

IvyPanda . 2023. "105 Olympic Games Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." September 27, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/olympic-games-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "105 Olympic Games Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." September 27, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/olympic-games-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "105 Olympic Games Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." September 27, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/olympic-games-essay-topics/.

Essay Curve

Essay on Olympic Games – Samples, 10 Lines to 1500 Words

Essay on Olympic Games: The Olympic Games are a global sporting event that brings together athletes from all corners of the world to compete in a spirit of unity and sportsmanship. This essay will explore the history of the Olympic Games, their significance in promoting international cooperation and understanding, and the impact they have on athletes and spectators alike. From the ancient origins of the games in Greece to the modern-day spectacle that captivates audiences worldwide, the Olympics continue to inspire and unite people across borders and cultures.

Table of Contents

Olympic Games Essay Writing Tips

1. Introduction: Start your essay by providing a brief overview of the Olympic Games. Mention its history, significance, and global impact.

2. Historical Background: Discuss the origins of the Olympic Games in ancient Greece and how they were revived in the modern era by Pierre de Coubertin in 1896.

3. Significance of the Olympic Games: Explain why the Olympic Games are considered the most prestigious international sporting event. Highlight how they promote unity, peace, and sportsmanship among nations.

4. Sports and Events: Describe the various sports and events that are featured in the Olympic Games. Mention popular sports like athletics, swimming, gymnastics, and team sports like basketball and soccer.

5. Host Cities: Discuss how different cities around the world bid to host the Olympic Games. Explain the economic and infrastructural benefits that hosting the Games can bring to a city.

6. Athletes: Highlight the dedication and hard work of the athletes who compete in the Olympic Games. Discuss the training, sacrifices, and discipline required to reach the pinnacle of their sport.

7. Olympic Values: Talk about the core values of the Olympic Games, including excellence, friendship, and respect. Explain how these values are reflected in the behavior of athletes and spectators during the Games.

8. Controversies: Address any controversies or scandals that have surrounded the Olympic Games, such as doping scandals, political boycotts, or corruption allegations.

9. Legacy: Discuss the lasting impact of the Olympic Games on host cities, athletes, and the global sporting community. Mention how the Games inspire future generations of athletes and promote a healthy and active lifestyle.

10. Conclusion: Summarize the key points of your essay and reiterate the importance of the Olympic Games in promoting international cooperation, sportsmanship, and unity. Encourage readers to support and celebrate the spirit of the Olympic Games.

Essay on Olympic Games in 10 Lines – Examples

1. The Olympic Games are a major international sporting event held every four years. 2. The modern Olympic Games were inspired by the ancient Olympic Games held in Olympia, Greece. 3. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece in 1896. 4. The Olympic Games feature a wide variety of sports, including athletics, swimming, gymnastics, and team sports. 5. Athletes from around the world compete in the Olympic Games, representing their countries. 6. The Olympic Games promote peace and unity among nations through sport. 7. The Olympic Games have a rich history of memorable moments and inspiring performances. 8. The Olympic Games are governed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 9. The next Summer Olympic Games will be held in Paris, France in 2024. 10. The next Winter Olympic Games will be held in Beijing, China in 2022.

Sample Essay on Olympic Games in 100-180 Words

The Olympic Games are a prestigious international sporting event that brings together athletes from all over the world to compete in various sports. The Games have a long history, dating back to ancient Greece, and have since become a symbol of unity and sportsmanship.

The modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896 and have been held every four years, with both summer and winter editions. The Games provide a platform for athletes to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level, while also promoting peace and understanding among nations.

The Olympic Games also have a significant economic impact on the host city, bringing in tourists and generating revenue for local businesses. The Games are a celebration of human achievement and serve as a reminder of the power of sport to bring people together, regardless of their background or nationality.

Short Essay on Olympic Games in 200-500 Words

The Olympic Games is an international sporting event that brings together athletes from all over the world to compete in various sports. The Games are held every four years, with the Summer and Winter Olympics alternating every two years. The modern Olympic Games were inspired by the ancient Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD.

The Olympic Games have a long and storied history, dating back to ancient times when they were held as a way to honor the gods. The modern Olympics were revived in 1896 by Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator who believed in the power of sports to bring people together. Since then, the Games have grown in size and scope, with thousands of athletes competing in a wide range of sports.

The Olympic Games are a showcase of athletic excellence, with athletes competing at the highest level in their respective sports. The Games are also a celebration of diversity and unity, with athletes from different countries and cultures coming together to compete in the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play.

One of the most iconic aspects of the Olympic Games is the opening ceremony, where athletes from all over the world parade into the stadium under their national flags. The ceremony is a colorful and festive event, with music, dance, and fireworks adding to the excitement. The lighting of the Olympic flame is another highlight of the opening ceremony, symbolizing the spirit of the Games and the unity of the athletes.

The Olympic Games also have a significant economic impact on the host city and country. The Games bring in millions of visitors, who spend money on hotels, restaurants, and souvenirs, boosting the local economy. The host city also benefits from the infrastructure improvements made for the Games, such as new sports facilities and transportation upgrades.

In addition to the economic impact, the Olympic Games also have a lasting legacy on the host city and country. The Games can inspire young people to take up sports and lead a healthy lifestyle, while also promoting the values of fair play, respect, and friendship. The Games also provide a platform for athletes to showcase their talent and inspire others to achieve their own goals.

In conclusion, the Olympic Games are a global celebration of sports, unity, and excellence. The Games bring together athletes from all over the world to compete in the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship. The economic impact of the Games is significant, but the lasting legacy of the Games is even more important, inspiring future generations to pursue their dreams and strive for greatness.

Essay on Olympic Games in 1000-1500 Words

The Olympic Games, also known as the Olympics, is a major international sporting event that takes place every four years. The games bring together athletes from all over the world to compete in a variety of sports and showcase their skills and talents on a global stage. The Olympics have a long and rich history, dating back to ancient Greece, and have evolved over the years to become one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated sporting events in the world.

The ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The games were dedicated to the Greek god Zeus and were a celebration of physical fitness, skill, and sportsmanship. Athletes from all over Greece would come to compete in events such as running, wrestling, boxing, and chariot racing. The games were a time of peace and unity, as all wars and conflicts were suspended during the duration of the games to allow athletes to compete without fear of violence.

The modern Olympic Games were inspired by the ancient Olympics and were first held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. The games were revived by French educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who believed in the power of sport to promote peace and understanding among nations. The first modern Olympics featured 14 countries and 241 athletes competing in 43 events. Since then, the games have grown in size and scope, with thousands of athletes from over 200 countries participating in a wide range of sports.

The Olympic Games have a unique and special significance in the world of sports. They are a symbol of unity, peace, and friendship among nations, and they bring people together from all walks of life to celebrate the power of sport. The games also provide a platform for athletes to showcase their talents and inspire others to pursue their dreams and goals. The Olympics have the power to transcend boundaries and bring people together in a spirit of competition and camaraderie.

One of the most iconic aspects of the Olympic Games is the opening ceremony, which marks the official start of the games and features a parade of athletes from all participating countries. The ceremony is a spectacle of music, dance, and pageantry, and it symbolizes the coming together of nations in the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play. The lighting of the Olympic flame is another tradition that dates back to ancient Greece and symbolizes the passing of the torch from one generation of athletes to the next.

The Olympic Games feature a wide variety of sports, ranging from traditional events like track and field, swimming, and gymnastics to more modern sports like snowboarding, skateboarding, and beach volleyball. The games also include team sports such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball, as well as individual sports like tennis, golf, and cycling. Athletes train for years to qualify for the Olympics and compete at the highest level of their sport, striving for excellence and the chance to win a coveted Olympic medal.

The Olympics have had a profound impact on the world of sports and have inspired generations of athletes to push themselves to new heights of achievement. The games have produced countless memorable moments and iconic performances, from Jesse Owens’ four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics to Usain Bolt’s record-breaking sprints at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Olympics have also been a platform for social change and activism, with athletes using their platform to raise awareness of important issues and advocate for positive change in society.

The Olympic Games have faced challenges and controversies over the years, including issues of doping, corruption, and political unrest. The games have also been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the implementation of strict health and safety protocols for the 2021 games. Despite these challenges, the Olympics have persevered and continued to inspire and unite people around the world through the power of sport.

In conclusion, the Olympic Games are a celebration of the human spirit and the power of sport to bring people together in a spirit of peace and friendship. The games have a long and storied history, dating back to ancient Greece, and have evolved over the years to become one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated sporting events in the world. The Olympics have the power to inspire and unite people from all walks of life and to showcase the talents and achievements of athletes from around the world. The games are a symbol of hope, unity, and perseverance, and they will continue to inspire and captivate audiences for generations to come.

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• School Education /

International Olympic Day Essay in English for School Students

• Updated on  
• Jun 20, 2024

Essay on International Olympic Day: International Olympic Day is a global event celebrated on June 23, This day is dedicated to promoting the Olympic ideals of peace, friendship, and the harmonious development of body and mind. It serves as a reminder of the unifying power of sports and the significant role the Olympics play in bringing together people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Here’s an essay on International Olympic Day for students.

Table of Contents

• 1.1 History of Olympic Day 
• 1.2 Importance of Olympic Game 
• 1.3 2024 Summer Olympic 
• 2.1 Conclusion

Essay on International Olympic Day in 500 Words

International Olympic Day, celebrated annually on June 23, honours the inception of the modern Olympic Games and promotes the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect. This global observance encourages participation in sports activities across all ages, genders, and abilities, fostering a spirit of unity and international collaboration.

History of Olympic Day 

Proposed in 1947 by Doctor Gruss, Olympic Day commemorates the establishment of the IOC and the revival of the Olympic Games by Pierre de Coubertin. The first Olympic Day was celebrated on June 23, 1948, with nine National Olympic Committees (NOCs) participating. Today, over 200 NOCs join in, hosting sports events, educational workshops, and cultural exhibitions.

Quick Read: Essay on National Sports Day

Importance of Olympic Game 

The Olympic Games provide a global stage for athletes to compete at the highest level, fostering international cooperation and understanding. The Games promote values such as excellence, friendship, and respect, inspiring millions to engage in sports and lead healthier lives. Economically, the Olympics drive infrastructure development and boost tourism in host cities.

Quick Read: Essay on Uniform Civil Code

2024 Summer Olympic 

The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11, 2024. Paris was awarded the Games in 2017 and will host the Olympics for the third time, having previously hosted in 1900 and 1924. The 2024 Games will mark the centenary of the 1924 Paris and Chamonix Games and will be the sixth Olympics held in France.

The events will take place in Paris and 16 other cities across Metropolitan France, with Tahiti hosting surfing events. Notably, breakdancing will debut as an Olympic event. The theme for the 2024 Olympics, “Games wide open” (French: Ouvrons grand les Jeux), emphasizes inclusivity and global participation. The Games are expected to cost €8.3 billion and will be the final Olympics under Thomas Bach’s presidency. 

Quick Read: Essay on Importance of Sports

The 2024 Olympics will also mark the centenary of the 1924 Paris Games, creating a bridge between the past and the present. The official theme, “Parade,” composed by Victor Le Manse and recorded with the Orchestre National de France, embodies the celebratory and unifying spirit of the event. Paris 2024 will be the final Olympic Games under the presidency of Thomas Bach, symbolizing a significant transitional period for the IOC.

Quick Read: How I Spent My Summer Vacation Essay

Top Olympic Gold Medalist

International Olympic Day is a reminder of the power of sports to bring people together and promote positive values. As we look forward to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, we celebrate the rich history and global significance of the Olympic movement. These Games promise not only thrilling athletic competition but also a renewed commitment to unity, innovation, and sustainability, inspiring future generations worldwide. The legacies of top Olympic gold medalists like Michael Phelps, Larisa Latynina, Paavo Nurmi, and Carl Lewis continue to inspire athletes and fans alike, embodying the enduring spirit of the Olympics.

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Ans: American swimmer Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time, with 28 medals, 23 of which are gold. He was also the first athlete to win 8 gold medals at a single Olympics.

Ans: Larisa Latynina and Polina Astakhova each competed for the Soviet Union in 1956, 1960, and 1964. Latynina has the most medals of any female athlete in Olympic history, with 18.

Ans: The Paris’24 Olympics will include a total of 32 sports and 8 in Milano Cortina 2026, the next Winter Olympics. These 40 sports will be further divided into sub-categories, like track and field events, swimming, wrestling, etc. each for men and women.

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The Olympics still have the power to inspire — and reveal our nastier impulses and hypocrisies

Research Fellow, Institute for Health & Sport, and Co-convenor of the Olympic Research Network, Victoria University

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Murmurs regarding the decline of the Olympics appear to have been premature. Despite the well-founded critiques, doubts, concerns, and ambivalence before the Tokyo games began, they have provided many compelling moments, stories, and discussion points that have gripped much of the world.

Indeed, many people have expressed surprise at just how much they have become swept up in these games - at how much meaning they have derived from a sporting event that before it began, seemed out of place in a world still grappling with the devastating COVID pandemic.

There’s even a palpable grief for some people at the end of the Olympics, particularly in areas of the world still enduring lockdowns.

In the aftermath of the Tokyo Olympics, it’s worth reflecting on just what kind of meaning the games still generate. What’s at stake in the passions, struggles, triumphs, and heartache that, alongside COVID, have dominated news cycles for the past three weeks?

The power of national glory

The modern Olympics have long been based on the notion that sport is a force for good. Put simply, they still purport to help make the world a better place .

Yet, after the disastrous second and third Olympics in Paris (1900) and St Louis (1904) that were overshadowed by festivals of white supremacy , it was the playing out of national rivalries — and the possibility of national glory — that drove rising public interest in the games.

By 1912, Australians were already so emotionally invested that they raised enough funds to send swimming star Fanny Durack to the Stockholm Olympics.

The modern Olympics had been developed to showcase and celebrate strong, athletic men. But after winning gold in the women’s 100-metre freestyle, Durack became a national hero, as did her silver-medal winning compatriot Mina Wylie (whose family had paid the costs of her travel to the games).

The strange, yet powerful, sense of national achievement – and even vindication — in the deeds of athletes continues to shape much of the ongoing fascination with the Olympics. Australian athletes have had many remarkable performances at the Tokyo Olympics. Like Durack and Wylie before them, Ariarne Titmus, Patty Mills, Jess Fox, Melissa Wu, Peter Bol, and so many others have captivated a nation.

These athletes bring joy, amazement, pride, and inspiration. And they are loved for it. But the Tokyo Olympics have also given us a clearer insight into the costs that such adoration entails.

Love and betrayal

The focus on individual athletes — especially those expected to bring national glory — is intense. Those athletes deemed to have “failed” can quickly find the love they were previously showered with was conditional.

Olympic athletes are loved for what they have done or might do — not (so much) for who they are as people. This adoration is based on the powerful, joyous feelings they can bring and the way their triumphs are vicariously shared.

At issue is a powerful form of identification that can become possessive . For many fans, it feels like the athletes not only represent their nation, but also them as individuals. These fans frequently behave as if what happens to the athlete happens to them . Hence the ecstasy when the athlete achieves greatness .

On the flip side, however, when the expectations of fans are not met, they frequently react as if they have been personally betrayed.

The bitterness, judgement, and even hate directed at Simone Biles when she withdrew from the gymnastics team event was extreme. Although Biles also received an outpouring of support on social media, the racial - and racist - dynamics of the stinging criticism and vilification directed at her were striking .

Many white men in particular seemed personally offended that Biles had prioritised her physical and mental health, saying no to a performance that they had expected would bring them pleasure.

In Australia, Ben Simmons was similarly vilified for withdrawing from the men’s basketball team, as if he had broken an unwritten contract to perform for the nation’s benefit. (In stark contrast, Patty Mills was fulsome in his support of Simmons .)

Even Jess Fox was castigated on social media for “only” winning a bronze medal in the K1 slalom, although her “failure” was quickly forgiven after she won gold in the C1 event.

Read more: The power of no: Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Black women's resistance

What (and who) is forgotten

The fervent meaning so many Australians find in Olympic performances regularly disproves the notion we are more interested in watching men play sports than women.

As is frequently the case, most of the Australian heroes of the Tokyo Olympics have been women. And millions of people have tuned in to watch them compete.

Yet, somehow the compelling, thrilling performance of female athletes is conveniently forgotten when questions are raised about why competitions like the AFLW still receives less financial investment and media coverage than AFLM.

Equally disturbing, even in the midst of an Olympics characterised by inspiring feats from Australian women, 80% of the mainstream Australian media’s general sports coverage (across all sporting competitions) still focused on men .

Read more: The AFL sells an inclusive image of itself. But when it comes to race and gender, it still has a way to go

And it is not only the performances of Australian women that are frequently forgotten. The coverage of Rohan Browning’s impressive performance in the men’s 100-metre heats tended to elide the feats of Kaanju man Patrick Johnson , who represented Australia in sprint events in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.

Johnson not only holds the Australian record for the fastest time in the 100 metres , but remains the only Australian to have run a time under 10 seconds. That he is less well-known than the slower Matt Shirvington (who also competed in the 100 metres at the 2000 Sydney Games) reveals much about Australian race relations.

These Olympics have also raised vital questions regarding the treatment of trans athletes , the problematic policing of gender , and the way gender diversity challenges the strict binary nature of most sporting competitions.

A force for justice?

The relationship of Australia to the First Nations people whose land remains unceded was a focus for the Matildas team who took a photo of themselves behind the Aboriginal flag after arriving in Tokyo.

In doing so, the Matildas were following a long tradition of using the national and international focus on the Olympics to raise (more) vital issues.

Around the same time, the International Olympic Committee was banning its numerous media staff from posting photos of athletes who took a knee before their events in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Although the IOC soon retracted this ban after it drew widespread criticism , it highlighted the organisation’s reluctance for the Olympics to provoke discussions of justice, despite the IOC’s professed commitment for the games to improve the world.

To the IOC’s likely dismay, the anti-protest rule in the IOC charter , which was written in the aftermath of the famous Black power salute at the 1968 Mexico Olympics, is in the news again.

Raven Saunders, a queer, Black American, crossed her raised arms over her head in an “X” after winning the silver medal in the Women’s Shot put. As Saunders later explained, the “X” was “the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet”.

While the IOC suspended their investigation into Saunders after the tragic death of her mother , the matter once again raises questions as to the immense meaning the Olympics generate, and what this meaning might facilitate.

Like many Olympics before it, the Tokyo Games have created compelling sporting moments — when, for a few minutes, it felt like nothing else mattered. The end of the men’s high jump competition, when the two leaders decided to share the gold medal rather than have a jump-off, was celebrated around the world as an act of inspiring sports-personship .

Yet, while the power of the Olympics should not be underestimated, especially when it comes to the public fascination with women’s sports, the IOC should be less frightened of the way the games might promote the need for justice.

Until then, the burden of dealing with, resisting, and making use of the spotlight that comes with the Olympics will fall unequally on the athletes themselves.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Competitive Sports — The Origin and History of Olympic Games

The Origin and History of Olympic Games

• Categories: Competitive Sports Olympic Games

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Words: 682 |

Published: Dec 5, 2018

Words: 682 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Works Cited:

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• Schoeninger, B. (2004). Holes (Louis Sachar) and the form of the American fairy tale. The Lion and the Unicorn, 28(1), 118-139.
• Smith, R. (2003). The adventures of a reluctant hero: Disney's Holes. Cinefantastique, 35(6), 44-49.
• Van der Linden, C. (2005). From page to screen: A comparative analysis of the book and film versions of Holes. South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 71(2), 145-155.
• Yakel, E., & Sutton, S. (2004). Picturing Holes: Representations of an African American Vernacular Landscape. Geographical Review, 94(3), 295-318.
• Yellin, E. (2008). The cinematic experience of literature: Comparing film adaptations to their source novels. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
• Zipes, J. (2000). The Oxford companion to fairy tales. Oxford University Press.
• Zipes, J. (2002). Sticks and stones: The troublesome success of children's literature from Slovenly Peter to Harry Potter. Routledge.

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What I Learned From Watching Every Sport At The Tokyo Olympics

Linda Holmes

Over two weeks, critic Linda Holmes watched every Olympic discipline, from archery to wrestling. Above, Manon Brunet of Team France, left, competes against Olga Nikitina of Team ROC during the Women's Sabre Team Fencing Gold Medal Match on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Ryan Pierse/Getty Images hide caption

Over two weeks, critic Linda Holmes watched every Olympic discipline, from archery to wrestling. Above, Manon Brunet of Team France, left, competes against Olga Nikitina of Team ROC during the Women's Sabre Team Fencing Gold Medal Match on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

I don't know how I got to be as old as I am without knowing that dressage horses danced to music. Don't get me wrong: I knew dressage was fancy horses. I just didn't know it was fancy horses who danced to an orchestral arrangement of Queen's "Radio Ga-Ga."

Coming into the Tokyo Games, I was conflicted and troubled , as a lot of people were, by a knot of injustices and safety concerns that made me wonder whether there was any way to really enjoy them at all. And so, I decided to treat them as a chance to visit a whole host of unfamiliar worlds in which people work harder than many of us can imagine to build toward a moment that, for many competitors, will only come once and will not result in any glory, or any real money, at all.

To my own surprise, I find two weeks later that being a completist for the first time by watching some of every sport made me a fan again. And stepping away from the prime-time coverage that highlights only a few sports and only a few athletes — with heavily produced stories that sometimes contextualize their hard work in oversimplified ways — made it possible to think differently about what makes a sport beautiful in the first place.

Of course, nothing improves the sports spectator experience like an obsession with arcane rules, so let me oblige. I watched more than every sport and less than every event; what I tried to do was catch every discipline . I also followed a Familiarity Rule, under which I made only symbolic visits to the Olympic sports that have the highest media exposure in the country where I live: baseball, basketball, boxing, tennis, and golf. If I'm going to sit down and spend time navigating the various viewing options needed to watch the Olympics, it's not so I can watch golf. (Sorry not sorry, golf.)

But as to the rest, I watched as much as I could. Mostly athletes I had never heard of, mostly athletes who were not Team USA. And here's the problem and the shocking discovery: Each of these sports is the best sport in the Olympics. Some are the most beautiful, some are the most surprising, some have the most tremendous life lessons lurking just under the surface, and some are simply stunning examples of people who do extraordinarily hard things almost unimaginably well. I cried at some, I smiled at most, and I learned a lot. So here they are, from Archery to Wrestling: all the best sports in the Olympics.

I admire archery as a person with an anxiety disorder, because the athletes (and this is true in all shooting-type events) have to lower their own heart rates to stay steady. And — get this — this year, most of the archers agreed to a system that estimates their heart rates for TV viewers at home. Lowering your heart rate is one thing; lowering your heart rate while everyone watches you try to lower your heart rate resembles not just an anxiety dream, but an anxiety dream about having anxiety.

Artistic swimming

This and rhythmic gymnastics are the two events people most freely make fun of at the Olympics — I'm sure it's a coincidence that they're also two of the three events that are only competed by women (the other is softball). But you'll rarely see better visuals than the camera work that allows you to watch both what's going on above the water, which is judged, and what's going on underwater, which is generally not. What is above the water is beautiful and organized. What is beneath the water is effort, training, constant work, great strength. It's a metaphor for ... most things, actually.

An overview shows Team China competing in the team free routine artistic swimming event. I don't know about any of you, but ... I couldn't do this. Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

An overview shows Team China competing in the team free routine artistic swimming event. I don't know about any of you, but ... I couldn't do this.

Mary Carillo's legendary riff aside, badminton is a beautiful demonstration of working fast and slow at the same time. The reaction times are extraordinarily short, but the birdie also floats maddeningly and almost pauses in the air. A tennis ball could never! They are speedy but patient in this sport, and we can all aspire to that.

3x3 basketball

I have watched a great lot of "regular" basketball in my life, but 3x3 is faster and makes two bold arguments about other basketball games: they have too many people, and there's too much running up and down. I admire the willingness to challenge the dogma that says all team sports should involve running up and down, and I swear I do not only say that as a veteran of middle school gym class.

Beach volleyball

In beach volleyball, because you play in pairs, there's nowhere to hide, but there is a person you can potentially disappoint. You cannot disappear into a team, and yet you are not competing alone, and honestly, what friendship could survive? These are the bravest warriors. I'm afraid to even cook dinner with another person.

Canoe/kayak

I love canoe and kayak slalom events, which take the athlete through not only downstream gates, but also upstream gates that require chaotic-looking (but expertly executed) paddling in the "wrong" direction. "Winning requires a certain amount of working upstream and just getting that part over with as soon as possible" is embarrassingly on the nose for a principle it's impossible to argue with.

I watched plenty of cycling but especially loved BMX this year, both racing and freestyle. Those two disciplines really drive home a fundamental question of Olympic competition: Would you rather be out there doing whatever you want, alone on a course? Or would you rather be in a frenetic, adrenaline-soaked race where one false move can send you rolling down a steep track, and the false move might not have even been made by you? Special honorable mention to the commentator who tried to explain the BMX move known as "the E.T." by asking if we remember when E.T. went home and pedaled the bike. I believe that is not, in fact, how E.T. got home, but that guy gets an A in E.T. anyway. Honestly, why didn't E.T. get home on the bike? That would have been a great movie.

Charlotte Worthington of Team Great Britain practices a trick prior to the BMX Freestyle final. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images hide caption

Charlotte Worthington of Team Great Britain practices a trick prior to the BMX Freestyle final.

I have a secret: Most elite dives look the same to me, unless they go very very wrong. I am only capable of telling good dives from bad ones by seeing how big the splash is. Thus, diving is an illustrative example of something an unscrupulous person can pretend to have understood the entire time by watching for what happens at the very end, kind of like presidential elections and certain high fantasy novels. We must all be vigilant.

Equestrian events are a lesson in grace in the face of adversity, which I learned when I realized that I judge no Olympian more harshly than an equestrian who has a disappointing showing in something like a jumping event and fails to lovingly pat the horse on the neck. The horse is doing his best! The horse is a good boy or girl! You thank that horse, sir or madam! And as mentioned at the top, if you don't like horse dancing (which is the work of a skilled rider who can cue the horse so subtly that you don't even see it), then what are you even watching the Olympics for?

The NBC Olympics channel on YouTube is one place to check out the dancing horses.

Field Hockey

I have not played many of the sports on this list, but I have played field hockey. Specifically, I have played field hockey in the same way I have studied calculus: long ago, not very successfully, and only because someone made me. But truly, watching people who are actually great at field hockey is very healing, since I mostly associate it with a sense of dread that it emphatically does not deserve. Field hockey is one Mighty Ducks -style movie away from being on every open lawn in the country. (Look, if you watched this many sports, you would probably find one that you might need therapy about.)

Fencing is the sport I most admire that I do not really understand, in the sense that I know you're supposed to poke the other person, but there are a lot of complicated rules about how and when. When I tried to watch sabre fencing, I wound up spending about half an hour on Wikipedia trying to understand "right of way." Fencing is the best sport because it has one of the most striking disconnects between how complicated it looks and how complicated it is. Plus, there is a special place in my heart for the wired gear that makes it so that when there's contact between a sword and a person, someone's helmet lights up. Imagine how much more exciting it would be in basketball if fouling someone on a shot resulted in a powerful buzzing noise coming from your shoes. That is some crazy video game stuff, and I never get tired of it.

I learned this year that a "wolf turn" is like certain Canadian comedians: all of a sudden it's everywhere, and I feel like I missed something.

At some point, as a sports fan, you realize that soccer, basketball, water polo, lacrosse, field hockey, ice hockey and several other sports are basically the same thing, done in a variety of different ways. But you have to hand it to handball (I am so sorry), because while hockey asks "What if we do this by hitting the ball/puck with sticks?" and basketball asks "What if we do this while bouncing the ball and then throwing it into a high net?" and soccer asks "What if we do this on an extremely large field using only our feet?", handball is over here shrugging and saying, "You guys are all making this unnecessarily complicated." If you think about it long enough, "handball" begins to sound like a heroically snarky thing for a sport to be called. (You can imagine a person saying, "It's because we throw the ball. With our hand. So we call it hand ... ball.")

You know what I love about judo? Grabbing the other person's kit (here called the gi) is not only allowed; it is expected. The first time you watch somebody try to flip somebody else over by grabbing their belt and pulling straight up, it might seem surprising since the rest of judo is often about very tricky moves reliant on a strong understanding of levers such as a human body. But if you were in an actual fight against a terrifying opponent, of course you'd grab the person's clothes! Verisimilitude in trying to avoid getting your butt kicked is my idea of truth in advertising.

You've got to watch some Olympic karate to see what I call the "bloop bloop" feet. (This is not an official sports term.) When the two competitors are waiting for the right moment to attack, they often do little hops in unison, like they're dancing, where one person goes forward and the other one goes back. This also happens in fencing, but I particularly like it in karate. Bloop-bloop! Bloop-bloop! I'm telling you, it's Fred and Ginger.

Japan's Ryutaro Araga (L) competes against Kazakhstan's Daniyar Yuldashev in the men's kumite at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. Bloop-bloop feet! Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Japan's Ryutaro Araga (L) competes against Kazakhstan's Daniyar Yuldashev in the men's kumite at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. Bloop-bloop feet!

Modern Pentathlon

The big headline out of modern pentathlon this year was the coach who was thrown out for punching a horse. A little context: modern pentathlon includes swimming, fencing, riding, and then a combination of running and shooting. The horses for the riding portion are assigned to athletes in a random draw. And yes, the coach hit an uncooperative horse, but the real news should be sticking up for that horse's autonomy and its right to decline to participate. What's the lesson? Even in pursuits that you train and work at your whole life, there are elements you cannot expect to control. You can lead a horse to the Olympics, but you can't ... you know.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Again, one that people love to make fun of, but if you can't see that the precision in throwing a ball many feet in the air and catching it on the back of your neck isn't all that different from the precision in shooting an arrow, you may be letting the glitter distract you.

One of the challenges of being a rowing spectator, I find, is that the commentators don't seem sure what to talk about, because if you can see the race, you basically know as much as they do. Rarely does a sport have such a short list of necessary updates. The first item is "who is ahead," and there is no second item. But seen from another angle, this is an advantage. I just want to watch the boats go fast!

I love watching rugby, because I know it's wildly popular and the strongest vision I have of it is of Ross on Friends getting beat up by some of Emily's associates. Rugby is tough. It is the best sport if only in the sense that it's the one I believe would send me to the hospital the fastest.

I began watching a sailing race early in my Olympic viewing, thinking, "I'm just going to watch this one sailing race, because I have to do some work today." It took a while for me to realize this Olympic sailing race was going to take about two hours. Many sailing events are not really for those times when you are in a rush. They are contemplative. They are two hours long. Sailing is just like Christopher Cross always said: It takes me away to where I've always heard it could be. And by "it," I mean "watching a sailing race for the rest of the day."

I must come clean: I am not a fan of sports that involve guns, simply because I am beyond finding guns entertaining in practically any context. But I'll say this: If all the guns were for this purpose, we'd all be a lot better off.

Skateboarding

Skateboarding had such a delightfully unpretentious presence as a new sport at this particular Olympics; like snowboarding and BMX freestyle, it involves a certain amount of trying the hardest things you can, packing in as much content as you can, even if some tricks don't work out. How can a sport where you wipe out and still excel not be the best sport? How is that not like life? You can't do well in gymnastics if you step out of bounds. Imagine if you could fall off the balance beam and land on your front teeth and still get a good score.

Soccer is the best sport according to perhaps the largest number of people around the world who might vote for best sport, so who am I to argue? Like Ted Lasso, I have issues with the rules about offsides, but working on those issues is a good opportunity to be a better citizen of the world.

People who think an underhand pitch won't take your head off really aren't thinking about the right thing when they hear the words "underhand pitch."

Sport climbing

Another new entry this year, sport climbing is the best sport because it has a section where you work your way up a series of walls with various arrangements of [synthetic] boulders, and you figure each wall out after you see it, and they call the walls "problems," and that has big math class energy.

Kyra Condie of Team USA works on a bouldering problem. Maja Hitij/Getty Images hide caption

Kyra Condie of Team USA works on a bouldering problem.

I have only watched one surfing competition in person: It was on the north shore of Oahu in (I believe) 2007, sponsored by Monster Energy (the drink, not the quality). One of my friends had won a sweepstakes and had a trip to watch from the Monster Energy hospitality house on the beach, and I got to tag along. Of all the things that are not me that I have ever done, watching surfing from the Monster Energy hospitality house might be the greatest among them, but let me tell you this: Surfing is very beautiful, and water is very temperamental, and when I watched competitive surfing this year, I thought, as I did back in 2007, "I think my strategy would be to bob up and down in an unassuming fashion and hope everyone forgot I was there and thought I was a buoy."

I think we all know that swimming is the best Olympic sport, and you know why? Because of the part at the end where they streeeeetch out their fingers to hit the pad at the finish, and sometimes somebody beats somebody else by a few hundredths of a second, and you really have to wonder whether cracking your knuckles before the race would have made a difference.

Table tennis

If I had to choose the athletes from one sport to give me pep talks every morning, I would choose the people who compete in table tennis. If you are asking why that is, I suspect you have not watched very much extremely competitive table tennis. It's the most intense energy I've ever seen focused on a small flat area, other than when my dog tries to get a bite of my sandwich off the coffee table.

At some point, all the fighting sports can begin to blend together, but taekwondo is a lot of fun to watch and is only held back from becoming wildly popular in the United States because people who don't know a lot about taekwondo don't realize that to a great degree, it's kicking. Olympic kicking. It's people kicking each other. Yyyyyyyyyeah! (Also, check out the story of taekwondo as a sport that has created medal opportunities for a lot of different countries.)

Track and field

I can't possibly cover all the track and field events I watched, but there are some amazing disciplines I must mention. One is racewalking, and people talk about it looking silly every four years. I get it, and it does have a certain "well I never" quality on first glance. But if you watch it for about five minutes, it stops looking silly and just starts looking a lot like running, but with very purposeful hips and elbows.

Another is the throwing events, including the shot put and the discus, where the apparatuses are launched by way of a pirouette performed by what's often a very mighty and sturdily built athlete. Between that pirouette, pure speed events, and the fact that I was up early enough this year to be watching live when two athletes from Italy and Qatar agreed to share a gold medal in the men's high jump, I have no trouble arguing that track and field — or, as they also call it, "athletics" — is the best sport in the Olympics.

The thing that makes trampoline a great sport is that Olympic trampoliners (trampolinians? trampolympians?) bounce very, very high. How high? Thirty feet, they say. One guy got off-center, meaning he effectively fell from 30 feet in the air and put his leg right through the gap at the edge of the trampoline, and much to my endless shock, he didn't snap at the pelvis like a popsicle stick. In fact, he seems to be fine. This kind of terrifying happening obviously is not what makes it a great sport, but the rarity with which it happens given the heights involved might be.

Japan's Megu Uyama competes in the women's final of the Trampoline Gymnastics event. It would take a very tall photo to show you where the trampoline is. Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Japan's Megu Uyama competes in the women's final of the Trampoline Gymnastics event. It would take a very tall photo to show you where the trampoline is.

I think of triathlon people as solo dreamers, athletes who devote their entire beings to the most punishing pursuit they can think of. Thus, triathlon is the best sport because it is the one that sounds like the worst idea — unless you love doing it, in which case it is an all-consuming, beautiful idea. I do think there is something obviously missing, though, between the triathlon and the modern pentathlon. I would suggest the midcentury modern quadrathlon, which is made up of swimming, cycling, smoking, and picking out furniture.

This year's USA women's team won a gold medal after coming close for several Olympics in a row, and it was an absolute delight. Volleyball has theater in the form of fakes, drama in the form of arguing about what's in and what's out, research in the form of millions of people simultaneously Googling "why does one person on the team have a different shirt?", and simple athletic power that actually brings very tall humans right up in each other's faces. It's good stuff.

We should all be watching more water polo! Water polo is the best sport because everyone should be united in the firm belief that we should all be watching more water polo! It is hugely entertaining and faster than soccer or hockey, the Team USA women are a tremendous group that won a gold medal for the third time in a row, and everybody looks great in those caps. Why aren't we all watching water polo right now? Bring me the year-round water polo league! Bring me the Ted Lasso of water polo!

Team USA goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson celebrates a gold medal in water polo. You should probably be watching more water polo. Tom Pennington/Getty Images hide caption

Team USA goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson celebrates a gold medal in water polo. You should probably be watching more water polo.

Weightlifting

There is only one thing I don't like about weightlifting, and that's my constant sense that some part of the athlete is going to collapse or fall off or bend the wrong way or explode. When I mentioned this on Twitter, someone told me that I definitely did not want to look up weightlifting injuries on YouTube, and that person is correct. I do not . Because I prefer to think of weightlifting the way I experience it as a spectator: as a series of emergencies ("a very heavy thing is over my head and I can't hold it much longer") that the athlete heroically resolves.

What's more suspenseful than a sport where who's winning is constantly shifting? For me, it's a sport where I have no idea who's winning at any given time. Now in fairness, yes, if one person is clearly cleaning the other person's clock, I will be able to tell who's winning. But I lack the background to know when someone is about to begin cleaning someone else's clock, meaning that it always comes as a delightful surprise to me. Thus, wrestling, like every sport, is absolutely, positively, the best one.

• 2021 Tokyo Olympics

Essay on the Olympics

The Olympics play an important part not only the sport life but also in the cultural life of the global community. the Olympics involve nations from all over the world and they are the major sport events in every four years in the entire world. At the same time, the Olympics attract not only sportspersons but also spectators, who are interested in sports and who either attend Olympics in the area, where they take place, or watch the Olympic Games broadcasts.The Olympics have a considerable impact on the development of the personal, national and global identity of people because the Olympic Games are the major event in the sport life of the world and people get involved into the Olympics at all level, from individual participation or involvement into the Olympics to the national and global level when people form and support their national teams and compete with other teams and sportspersons from all over the world. Therefore, the Olympics are socially important events that take place every four year and shape the individual, national and global identity.

Historically, the Olympics were internationally significant event that unite people from all over the world. The Olympics are the major sport event that takes place every four years. The Olympics is the ultimate manifestation of the greatest achievements in the field of sport since every sportsperson participating in the Olympic Games. There are winter and summer Olympic Games which are conducted in winter and summer every four year respectively. The Olympic Games include all the sports registered by the International Olympic Committee as Olympic sports. Sportspersons and teams are qualified for the Olympic Games in the course of the competitions which take place prior to the Olympics during four years period.

Moreover, the Olympics have a considerable symbolic significance. For instance, historically, the Olympics were associated with the time, when all wars either ended up or stopped for the time the Olympics ran. The Olympic Games become a unifying event that unites people on the ground of their love to sport and healthy lifestyle.

At the same time, the Olympics have a considerable impact at all levels from the individual level to the global one. However in spite of the level of the impact of the Olympics, the Games contribute to the formation of the imagined community which allows people to shape the imagined identity, which though is short run and fades away, when the Olympics end. People perceive the Olympics in different ways but they can hardly stay indifferent or unaffected by the Olympics.

In addition, it is possible to distinguish participants of the Olympics and the spectators, i.e. those individuals, who attend the competitions as well as those, who watch broadcasts of those competitions (Chomsky, 1997). Sportspersons participating in the Olympics develop their identity feeling their unity as the community of sportspersons. Even though this community is imagined in a way, because they may never encounter each other in their life before or after the competitions, but during those few weeks of the Olympic Games, they live like a sort of family or community, where all sportspersons feel their belongingness to that community, no matter how short run the existence of this community is (Bagdikian, 2000). The audience of the Olympics comprises another large group of people which may unite in imagined communities and develop their identities within those communities. These communities may exist at the local level, as well as at the national or even international level.

People can unite into small communities and change their identity while being a part of those small communities at the local level. For instance, people attending a sport bar on the regular basis develop their identity. They may not even know each others’ name and they may invent their new identity being united by their passion to sport and the Olympic Games.

At the national level, people can also unite in imagined community of fans supporting their national teams and sportspersons representing their countries on the Olympics. In such a situation, people feel their unity as the nation but they have the authentic feeling of the belongingness to the community, where they can feel being a part of the nation. In such communities, they develop their identities that may be different from the identity, which they have in their everyday life. For instance, the Olympics may raise patriotic feelings and emotions that contribute to the unity of members of the imagined community consisting of fans of sports and people interested in the Olympics.

Moreover, individuals can develop broader communities, at the international level, when each person attending the Olympics feel being members of one community that unites people, who like the Olympics so much that they have abandoned everything and came to watch the major sport events of the Olympics. They may create their small communities in social networks, where they create new imagined identities (Bagdikian, 2000). New communities unite people interested in the Olympics. They can use social networks to establish social relations and communicate with each other and steadily form the international community of people, who are interested in the Olympics and who want to attend the Games.

At the same time, they can shape their imagined identity to spend a few weeks in their imagined community. If they use social networks to establish friendly relations with other community members, they can create new identities and other users will never know, whom they really communicate with. Such a freedom of the development of the imagined community allows users and people interested in the Olympics they construct their new identities feeling the unity of their community (Chomsky, 1997).

The formation of the identity at all levels among both sportspersons and spectators occur under the impact of the Olympics and its media presentation. In this regard, it is worth mentioning the fact that the identity of people united by the Olympics occurs under the impact of the Games. The media of the Olympics contribute to the formation of the original atmosphere of the Games that make them a distinct sport event. The Olympics are the brand that always attracts many people from all over the world. For instance, the Olympics is one of the main sport events for professional sportspersons, who view the win on the Olympics as the major achievement in their professional sport career.

As for fans and spectators at all levels, they also are vulnerable to the impact of the Olympics. In this regard, the impact of the traditional perception of the Olympics as the exclusive sport event and the past of the Olympic Games that dates back to the time of ancient Greece is particularly strong. Spectators view their presence on the Olympics as if they are present on the important historical event.

Essay on  the Olympics part 2

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Paris 2024: Sporting highlights of the Olympic Games 

Picture by 2024 Getty Images

Following 16 spectacular and memorable days of Olympic competition, the baton has passed to LA28 after a star-studded Closing Ceremony at the Stade de France.

But while the world eagerly anticipates the next summer Games in the City of Angels, let’s take a look back at some of the highlights from the City of Light.

From Noah Lyles and Julien Alfred 's sensational 100m finals to Leon Marchand , Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh ripping it up in the pool, here are some of the highlights of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 .

Artistic Gymnastics: Simone Biles' triple gold comeback

Simone Biles ' success at Paris 2024 marked the completion of one of the greatest bounce-backs in Olympic history . The 27-year-old American, who withdrew from Tokyo 2020 , returned to win three more golds and one silver in Paris. She led the American women to the team title at the outset of the artistic gymnastics competition, and followed with golds in the all-around and the vault, with her silver coming in the floor exercise.

It capped off a career of seven Olympic golds, two silvers and two bronzes over three Olympics Games, going back to Rio 2016 . Her celebrated return was the top ticket for celebrity spectators, with Biles delivering an inspiring performance with a message of redemption that went beyond sport.

Gold medallist Katie Ledecky of the United States with her gold medal after winning the women's 1500m freestyle final at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Paris La Defense Arena on 31 July 2024.

Swimming: Four medals each for Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh

These Games further solidified the legend of Team USA’s Katie Ledecky , swimming in her fourth Olympics. The 27-year-old swimming icon added four more medals at Paris 2024 — two golds, one silver and one bronze, a performance highlighted by her fourth consecutive gold medal in the 800m freestyle, a feat only matched by Michael Phelps .

The 17-year-old Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh also had weighty expectations on her coming into Paris 2024 , and she not only met them but exceeded them, winning four Olympic medals — three gold and one silver. McIntosh earned gold in the 400m individual medley, 200m butterfly and 200m IM, with silver in the 400m freestyle. McIntosh became the first Canadian to win three gold medals at a single Olympic Games.

Noah Lyles of Team USA crosses the line to win the men's 100m final at Paris 2024

Athletics: Noah Lyles' 100m sprint

The showmanship, the confidence, the claims — Team USA’s Noah Lyles backed it all up on 4 August as the men’s 100m sprint took centre stage for the night's final event at the Stade de France . The orchestrated buildup, complete with lasers, led to a show that delivered on every promise.

The fastest men in the world lined up... and in a flash, it was over, with a dramatic photo finish as Lyles caught Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson at the finish line. Lyles took the gold with a personal best time of 9.784 seconds, ahead of Thompson’s 9.789. “Goodness gracious, I'm incredible," said Lyles — the newly minted Olympic gold medallist and the fastest man in the world.

Keely Hodgkinson of Great Britain won the women's 800m gold medal at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Athletics: Keely Hodgkinson charges to victory in 800m for Great Britain

Team GB's Keely Hodgkinson would not settle for silver this time. The 22-year-old Hodgkinson, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist, snapped to setting the pace early. The pre-race favourite shrugged off any nerves to hold off an outside attack from Kenya’s Mary Moraa , then found that top gear in the final straight to pull away and charge to victory at a time of 1:56.72.

Hodges was a textbook-perfect race — no notes — for her maiden Olympic title.

French swimming sensation Léon Marchand was also cool out of the pool at Paris 2024, as he celebrated with fans at Champions Park, near the iconic Eiffel Tower, on 6 August 2024.

Swimming: Leon Marchand, four-time gold medallist and host-nation star of Paris 2024

The pressure was on for the 22-year-old swimming sensation Leon Marchand heading into Paris 2024 . Would he rise to the occasion for his home country or sink under the pressure? And wow, did he rise, kick, pull and glide his way to four Olympic individual gold medals, breaking Michael Phelps's 400m IM and 200m IM records and finishing with a bronze in the men’s 4 x 100m medley relay.

As the medals piled up, so did the Marchand frenzy. The entire country went along for the ride, with deafening cheering, and not just at the Paris La Defense Arena venue. Across France, in cafés and city centres, the chants of “Leon, Leon, Leon” rang out. Viva Marchand!

Gold medallist Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis of Sweden set a new world record in the men's pole vault at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on 5 August 2024.

Athletics: 'Mondo' Duplantis's pole vault world record

The stage was set for greatness in the Stade de France , with the chant of “Mondo, Mondo, Mondo!” ringing across the stadium. The Swede, Armand “Mondo” Duplantis , did what he does best, breaking the Olympic record with a jump of 6.10m to defend his gold medal and then raising the bar higher to 6.25m.

The stadium watched in silence as Mondo began his ran up. He flew over the bar, setting a new world record height. His feat was met with roars of approval from fans who had witnessed the greatest jump — and jumper — in history.

Pauline Ferrand Prévot of France celebrates winning gold in the women's mountain bike cross-country final at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on 28 July 2024 in Elancourt, France.

Mountain biking: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Tom Pidcock must-see cycling

It was the dominant Frenchwoman Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and the confident Brit Tom Pidcock — both of them reigning XC mountain bike world champions and, in Pidcock's case, the reigning Olympic champion — who had hearts soaring and racing in the mountain bike finals.

Ferrand-Prévot, in her final Olympic mountain bike cross-country competition , pedaled her way to a storybook ending, winning an Olympic gold medal in a perfect finale to her dominant mountain biking career. Moreover, she got to do it at home in France — chef’s kiss.

Pidcock’s bid to defend his Olympic gold medal culminated with an audacious final lap against France's Victor Koretzky , looking for his own storybook ending at home. Koretzky was denied by Pidcock, who overcame a tire puncture to make up a 34-second deficit, catching up to the Frenchman and then making a harrowing pass to take the lead and win in a finish that many fans and viewers have yet to recover from.

Gold medallist Yuto Horigome of Japan, flanked by American silver medallist Jagger Eaton on the left and bronze medallist Nyjah Huston on the right at the men's street finals in Paris, France.

Skateboarding: Men’s street skateboarding finals decided in three-way battle

It came down to the final three in what is being called the greatest men’s skateboard final of all time. The defining moment belonged to three titans of the street contest scene: the defending gold medallist from Japan in Yuto Horigome , the USA’s Nyjah Huston — the 15-time X Games champion looking to cap his career with the elusive Olympic gold medal — and the unwavering fellow American competitor Jagger Eaton .

The contest came down to the trio battling in the final trick section, each one-upping the other, landing the heaviest of tricks under the most intense pressure. Minds were blown, Tony Hawk was speechless and NBC commentator Ryan Sheckler called it "the gnarliest final of competitive skateboarding I’ve ever seen” as Horigome defended his gold ahead of Eaton and Huston.

Sha'Carri Richardson crosses the finish line to win the women's 4x100m relay gold for Team USA

Athletics: Women's 4x100 … and here come the United States!

The Americans were heavy pre-race favourites as the reigning world champions in the women’s 4x100, but the win was not a given. At the race's midpoint, the US, with Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry on the first and second legs, were in third.

But Paris 2024 200m champion Gabby Thomas began gaining ground in the third leg, passing the baton to the anchor leg and 100m silver medallist Sha'Carri Richardson , who hit top form, finding another gear to speed past rivals Great Britain and Germany, a sideways look before she burst across the finish line to defend the gold medal for Team USA in 41.78 seconds, a season's best.

Gabriel Medina in a barrel during day three at Teahupo'o on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia, where the surfing events for Paris 2024 were held.

Surfing: Teahupo’o goes huge for men’s Round 3

A highlight that was not a final medal round took place thousands of kilometres away in Tahiti, where the Olympic surfers woke to a massive swell: Teahupo’o had turned on. The men’s Round 3, on Monday June 29 , saw massive, powerful barrels roll in, with the world’s best surfers pulling in deep and emerging with hands in the air. It was a day that transcended sport and delivered something genuinely soul-stirring.

The competition saw the highest scores of the Olympic Games, with Brazil’s Gabriel Medina , the eventual bronze medallist, earning a 9.90, exiting the wave with the fly-away kickout seen around the world. The day of competition exemplified the best surfing and the very best of the incredible Teahupo’o wave.

A'ja Wilson of the United States passes the ball while being defended by Marieme Badiane of France during their women's gold medal final at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on 11 August 2024.

Basketball: USA vs France twice over

And you couldn’t have scripted it better: USA vs. Olympic host nation France in both men’s and women’s basketball finals, with both contests decided in the gripping final minutes.

The all-star USA men’s team brought it home 98-87 in the gold medal final, led by Steph Curry in his Olympic debut shooting four of his eight three-pointers in the final minutes and scoring 24 points, while Kevin Durant and Devin Booker finishing with 15 points each and LeBron James had 14. This marked a fifth straight US gold medal in men's basketball going back to Beijing 2008 .

The women’s final between these two nations was even tighter and more dramatic. The USA’s A’ja Wilson was everywhere on the court, scoring 21 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks. The game was decided in the final second as a jump shot by France’s Gabby Williams went in as time expired, sending the audience into raptures as the French thought the game had been tied — but Williams had just left the three-point area when she delivered that shot, and a two-point bucket wasn't enough for the hosts and the USA won by the narrowest of margins: 67-66 in a game for the ages . With that great escape, the US women had won their eighth Olympic gold medal in a row.

Athletics: Julien Alfred makes history for Saint Lucia in women’s 100m

It all happened in the blink of an eye; Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred burst out of the blocks ahead of the field. The three-time NCAA champion kept her lead, holding off pre-race favourite Sha’Carri Richardson to win gold in 10.72 seconds .

The win marks a momentous occasion for Saint Lucia, as it is its first Olympic medal in the Games' history.

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The Olympics’ Toughest Act: Balancing Sports and Politics

The Olympics have long been a stage for political expression, for athletes who take the opportunity. Some do, while others choose to focus strictly on their sport.

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By Hannah Beech and Valerie Hopkins

Reporting from Paris

The athletes had lost. Their time in Paris was over. And they were, in this moment of defeat by a team from a political rival, not even allowed the comfort of their homeland’s name and flag.

To be an Olympian from Taiwan is to not exist, at least not officially. To placate China, the island competes at the Games under the awkward designation of Chinese Taipei. The intrusion of politics into sports forces the island’s athletes to engage in the kind of rhetorical gymnastics that might trip up a champion tumbler, and which bring a particular sting when you are a table tennis player who has just been beaten by Team China .

“I’m only fighting for myself, through my own hard work,” said Taiwan’s Chen Szu-yu, substituting self for state on the Olympic stage.

Her teammate Chien Tung-chuan sidestepped the political discussion entirely, refraining from comment on Taiwan’s status at the Olympics.

“I cannot answer that question,” she said. “May I go?”

There is no arena more international than the Olympics. The United Nations General Assembly, that other grand global endeavor, excludes the territories, the itty-bitty islands and the not-quite nations that get to go to the Games. Puerto Rico, Palestine, Chinese Taipei — they all marched in the Olympic parade of nations, as did a refugee team whose 37 members were forcibly displaced from some of the very countries that competed alongside them in Paris.

But to accommodate such a diversity — North Korea and South Korea, Israel and Palestine , Armenia and Azerbaijan, China and Taiwan — the Olympic masterminds mandate that athletes should refrain from taking political stands. They imbue in a single sporting moment, the flight of a woman propelled by a springy pole or the revolution of a wheel in a velodrome, an inspirational expression of international unity. They romanticize an Olympic truce in which competitors lay down their weapons for the duration of the world’s greatest athletic contest.

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