FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Olympics History Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Olympics History Quizzes, Trivia

Olympics History Trivia

Olympics History Trivia Quizzes

  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Sports Trivia
  6. »
  7. Olympic Games

Fun Trivia
Who was the first Olympic champion? Which country won the most gold medals in the Olympic Games? How did the Games evolve? It's all here. See if you can be an Olympic trivia champion with these quizzes!
57 Olympics History quizzes and 798 Olympics History trivia questions.
Sub-Categories:
IOC Country Codes IOC Country Codes (7 quizzes)
1.
  Olympic Problems editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Olympic Games is a celebration of great sporting endeavour; the highest; the fastest; the strongest. But it doesn't always run smoothly.
Average, 10 Qns, Snowman, Jan 16 24
Average
Snowman gold member
Jan 16 24
206 plays
2.
Great Olympians
  Great Olympians    
Photo Match
 10 Qns
I'll give you the sport, the number of medals and the time period. You pick the flag of the nation for which the corresponding athlete won these medals.
Tough, 10 Qns, JanIQ, Nov 10 23
Tough
JanIQ gold member
Nov 10 23
86 plays
3.
Olympictogram
  Olympictogram   great trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Athletes have strived to become swifter, higher and stronger since the Olympic Games first started in Ancient Greece. See whether you can answer this Olympic-Pictogram quiz.
Average, 10 Qns, Plodd, Nov 07 14
Average
Plodd
692 plays
4.
  Faster Disaster   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Welcome to a quiz idea from the "High Commission!" Can you identify these Olympic "faster disaster" true events from the Winter and Summer Olympic Games?
Average, 10 Qns, coachpauly, Mar 13 15
Average
coachpauly
2124 plays
5.
  The Day of the Gold Has Come    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
What is that quiz title about? Well, try reading it in French: "le jour de l'or est arrive" - a paraphrase on the second verse in the Marseillaise, the French national hymn. Match the French athlete with the sport. I've included the year and venue.
Easier, 10 Qns, JanIQ, Nov 30 18
Easier
JanIQ gold member
Nov 30 18
205 plays
6.
  Olympic Games of the 1990s    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
See what you remember about the Winter Olympic Games of 1992, 1994, and 1998, and the Summer Olympic Games of 1992 and 1996.
Average, 10 Qns, bernie73, Apr 30 22
Average
bernie73 gold member
Apr 30 22
302 plays
7.
  Royals at the Olympic Games    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
This quiz is about members of royalty who participated in Summer and Winter Olympic Games and their sports. Match the royal in the short description with the name of the sport.
Average, 10 Qns, tiye, Jul 07 21
Average
tiye gold member
Jul 07 21
162 plays
8.
  Going, Going, Gone    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz relates some of the most significant achievements at the swimming events at the Olympics. All these swimmers have done something for the first time. I'll start each question with the words I imagine a radio commentator could have used.
Average, 10 Qns, JanIQ, Nov 04 13
Average
JanIQ gold member
509 plays
9.
  Where Did the Gold Blow Off To?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about ten Olympic gold-medal winners. When these fine athletes breezed back into their home countries after the games where they made history, do you know where or to whom those medals ended up? Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, shuehorn, Aug 27 18
Average
shuehorn gold member
Aug 27 18
370 plays
10.
  Olympic Symbols and Ceremonies   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quizzie is about the symbolism and ceremonies associated with the Olympics. Good luck as you 'Go for the Gold'!
Average, 10 Qns, catnippin, Mar 22 10
Average
catnippin
5766 plays
trivia question Quick Question
The letters SRI are used by?

From Quiz "IOC Country Abbreviations"




11.
  It's Hard to Type with a Cat on Your Lap...    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
But even harder are the achievements of the following participants of the Paralympics. An extra clue for this quiz: look in each question for what's missing. Enjoy.
Average, 10 Qns, JanIQ, Nov 03 19
Average
JanIQ gold member
Nov 03 19
186 plays
12.
  Legends of the Olympics   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Olympics are considered the greatest sporting event on Earth. Little wonder then, that they were monumental in the sporting careers of many famous sporters. A number of them will be presented to you in this quiz.
Average, 10 Qns, engels, Sep 17 13
Average
engels
1979 plays
13.
  Torch Bearers: 1936 to 1980    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
One of the biggest honors in sports is lighting the symbolic flame at the Olympic Games. Can you match up these athletes (and others) with their respective Olympic locations?
Easier, 10 Qns, parrotman2006, Aug 13 21
Easier
parrotman2006 gold member
Aug 13 21
192 plays
14.
  Olympic Games of the 2000s    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
See what you remember about the Winter Olympic Games of 2002 and 2006 and the Summer Olympic Games of 2000, 2004, and 2008.
Average, 10 Qns, bernie73, May 23 22
Average
bernie73 gold member
May 23 22
306 plays
15.
  Who Lit The Cauldron?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The following questions concern people who have lit the Olympic Games cauldron at either a summer or winter Olympic games. Not all are well known but you should still be able to determine the correct answer.
Easier, 10 Qns, Spontini, Aug 26 18
Easier
Spontini
Aug 26 18
490 plays
16.
  History of the Olympic Games    
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
According to Greek legend, the Olympic Games were founded by Heracles, son of Zeus. But what do you know about the Olympic Games (Ancient and Modern)? All multiple choice questions. Have a go!
Tough, 20 Qns, Engadine, Jan 16 07
Tough
Engadine
1857 plays
17.
  Olympic Games of the 2010s    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
See what you remember about the Winter Olympic Games of 2010, 2014, and 2018, and the Summer Olympic Games of 2012 and 2016.
Average, 10 Qns, bernie73, May 09 22
Average
bernie73 gold member
May 09 22
271 plays
18.
  Greek, Set, Match    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many sports quizzers like to answer questions about people who won more than one Olympic medal. But the following may be Greek to you. Just look for extremely subtle hints and have fun.
Average, 10 Qns, JanIQ, Feb 13 19
Average
JanIQ gold member
Feb 13 19
231 plays
19.
  The Ancient Greek Olympics    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about the first Olympic games from Ancient Greece. This quiz is dedicated to a special friend who helped me when I needed help. Thank you.
Tough, 10 Qns, LILSPIKEY, Dec 05 05
Tough
LILSPIKEY
1706 plays
20.
  Games, Gold, and Glory    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
For some people, winning an Olympic gold medal is the proudest moment in their life. This is a quiz about some of the greatest champions in the history of the Olympics Games and their remarkable achievements.
Average, 10 Qns, skydude13579, Jul 30 14
Average
skydude13579
395 plays
21.
  They Won Our Hearts    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Both the Winter and Summer Olympics frequently throw up characters who win our hearts, but no medals. Here is a small selection.
Average, 10 Qns, Christinap, Feb 15 10
Average
Christinap
1061 plays
22.
  Amazing Mascots of Amazing Olympics    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
As a genuine fanatic of the Olympic Games, I could not help but collect the mascots that accompanied all those great and remarkable moments. Enjoy the participation!
Average, 10 Qns, DeepHistory, May 19 14
Average
DeepHistory gold member
482 plays
23.
  Olympics of the 1960s    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
See if you can answer these ten questions about the Winter and Summer Olympics of the 1960s.
Average, 10 Qns, bernie73, Feb 28 19
Average
bernie73 gold member
Feb 28 19
391 plays
24.
  The Origin of Heroes    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Historic Olympic Events
A visit to the Olympic Games in ancient times would have been very different than a visit in modern times. See if you can identify these events you may have been able to watch.
Average, 10 Qns, bernie73, Dec 07 22
Average
bernie73 gold member
Dec 07 22
139 plays
25.
  Olympics of the 1940s and 1950s    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
See if you can answer these ten questions that cover the 1948, 1952, and 1956 Summer and Winter Olympics.
Average, 10 Qns, bernie73, Feb 25 19
Average
bernie73 gold member
Feb 25 19
334 plays
26.
  Olympics: More Than a Game    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The modern Olympics have produced many amazing memories. Here is a small sampling.
Average, 10 Qns, cazza2902, Feb 04 10
Average
cazza2902 gold member
816 plays
27.
  Olympic Host Cities    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A variety of facts relating to athletes who have participated in, and cities that have hosted, the Olympic Games.
Tough, 10 Qns, gunstone, Jan 18 03
Tough
gunstone
3295 plays
28.
  Olympic Sport Debut Years    
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
Tug of war, rugby, polo, lacrosse, and golf were once on the Olympic program. This quiz is based on 25 sports at the Olympics. Simply choose the year that it first appeared at the Olympics as a full medal sport.
Difficult, 25 Qns, avenger, Sep 03 16
Difficult
avenger
902 plays
29.
  Olympics Throughout Time    
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
Some historical facts about Olympics at different points of time. These are not questions about certain sports or winners of certain Olympics, but more questions about Olympic Games itself.
Difficult, 20 Qns, Angua, Jul 08 03
Difficult
Angua
1668 plays
30.
  Olympians    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Each question has a name of a famous (or not so famous) Olympic athlete. You have to match each person to their competitive sport. Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, swimmgirl, Nov 24 11
Average
swimmgirl
1352 plays
31.
  The Race Is On!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz will be all about different races in the Olympic Games. Have fun!
Average, 10 Qns, triviaking162, May 30 15
Average
triviaking162
728 plays
32.
  Olympic Games of the 1920s    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
See if you can answer these 10 questions about the Olympic Games of 1920s.
Average, 10 Qns, bernie73, Aug 15 18
Average
bernie73 gold member
Aug 15 18
303 plays
33.
  Olympic Hosts Revisited    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about places which have held the games more than once. Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, Lottie1001, May 09 09
Average
Lottie1001 gold member
1034 plays
34.
  Olympic Games of the 1930s (and 1940s)    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
See if you can answer these questions about the Summer and Winter Olympics of the 1930s (with a secondary reference to the 1940s).
Average, 10 Qns, bernie73, Dec 06 18
Average
bernie73 gold member
Dec 06 18
293 plays
35.
  Twisted History: The Olympics    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Enchanting and mysterious, the Olympic Games have seen the most prominent sportsmen held in high regard since the time of the Ancient Greeks. This quiz will see us delving into the long, sordid, and sometimes surprising past of the Olympic Games!
Tough, 15 Qns, Flynn_17, Aug 22 08
Tough
Flynn_17
717 plays
36.
  Olympic Mascots    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Olympic Games have, for many years, been one of the major events on the sporting calendar. As a result, the Games are shown throughout the world, and countries now adopt an official Olympic mascot which may be used to identify the Olympic Games.
Tough, 10 Qns, jglane, Aug 24 10
Tough
jglane
370 plays
37.
  History of Olympic Games 1896-2016    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Tokyo hosted the 2020 Summer Olympics in July and August 2021. The Games was delayed by one year due to the pandemic.
Average, 10 Qns, sw11, Jul 20 21
Average
sw11 gold member
Jul 20 21
214 plays
38.
  Summer Olympic Games    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This quiz concerns facts relating to the Summer Olympic games.
Difficult, 15 Qns, Spontini, Sep 13 16
Difficult
Spontini
269 plays
39.
  Winning Gold At The Olympics    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz has questions from the Summer and Winter Olympics. It is all mutiple choice. Good Luck!
Tough, 10 Qns, dingbatalso, Jun 11 06
Tough
dingbatalso
2923 plays
40.
  Olympic Games Ancient History    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How well do you know ancient Olympic Games history?
Tough, 10 Qns, rpeeves, Dec 09 08
Tough
rpeeves
1107 plays
41.
  20th Century Olympics    
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
A quiz about the Olympic Games of the 20th Century.
Average, 25 Qns, rmillar, Nov 29 09
Average
rmillar
3948 plays
42.
  Olympic Symbols    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Olympic symbols have been a part of the Games as is the competition. Do you think you know their backgrounds?
Difficult, 10 Qns, rpeeves, Dec 09 06
Difficult
rpeeves
1478 plays
43.
  Take this The Olympic Games Quiz    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
10 questions about the history of the Olympic Games. Enjoy!
Average, 10 Qns, SeanRob, Nov 09 11
Average
SeanRob
1282 plays
44.
  Cool Olympic Facts    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Think you know about the Olympic Games? Come and see if you really do.
Average, 10 Qns, stonewallsmith, Oct 04 08
Average
stonewallsmith
3113 plays
45.
  Coubertin's Legacy    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It's that time again to look at events and personalities associated with the modern Olympic movement. Good luck.
Average, 10 Qns, Fiachra, Feb 14 10
Average
Fiachra
582 plays
46.
  Olympic Knowledge    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I hope you know where the 1964 Winter Olympics took place! If you don't, good luck on this quiz!
Average, 10 Qns, metsfan1001, Oct 21 14
Average
metsfan1001
673 plays
47.
  The Olympic Games Quiz Challenge    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here is some tough Olympic Trivia.
Tough, 10 Qns, daisyduke71, Feb 14 10
Tough
daisyduke71
1746 plays
48.
  Almost Hosted The Olympics    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about the cities that came second place in the International Olympic Committee voting for the Olympic host cities, or that intended to host the Olympics, but for some reason or other could not.
Tough, 10 Qns, acm2210, Oct 27 06
Tough
acm2210
545 plays
49.
  Do You Know Your Olympics?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is not the be all and end all of Olympic Quizzes. I hope you have fun.
Difficult, 10 Qns, avenger, Dec 09 08
Difficult
avenger
2178 plays
50.
  Great Olympic Wrestlers (Freestyle)    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz about multiple time Olympic champions in freestyle wrestling.
Difficult, 10 Qns, maripp2002, Jul 26 19
Difficult
maripp2002
Jul 26 19
110 plays
Related Topics
  History of Food [Hobbies] (69 quizzes)

  History of Science [Sci / Tech] (62 quizzes)

  Ancient History for Kids [For Children] (24 quizzes)

  Art History [Humanities] (33 quizzes)

  History for Kids [For Children] (163 quizzes)

  History in Movies [Movies] (17 quizzes)

  History in Songs [Music] (11 quizzes)

  History of Christianity [Religion] (22 quizzes)

  History of Computing [Sci / Tech] (23 quizzes)

  History of Medicine [Sci / Tech] (26 quizzes)

  History of Music [Music] (96 quizzes)

  History of Team Names Sports [Sports] (21 quizzes)

  Political Science & History [World] (52 quizzes)

  Social History [History] (101 quizzes)

  Theatre History [Humanities] (17 quizzes)

  US History for Kids [For Children] (33 quizzes)

  War History [For Children] (15 quizzes)


Olympics History Trivia Questions

1. Problem No. 1: Honesty. American Fred Lorz was the first to cross the line in the men's marathon in the 1904 St Louis games. Why was he later disqualified?

From Quiz
Olympic Problems

Answer: He had travelled part of the route by car

It was a very tough marathon with fewer than half the starters lasting the course in the 33 degree celsius conditions. In addition to the heat, there was no water stops other than a well halfway along the route and it was run over steep hills and on roads that had not been closed to traffic. Lorz dropped out at the nine mile mark, exhausted and suffering from cramp from his exertions in the heat. He accepted a lift back to the stadium but in the car was persuaded to rejoin the race. Problem was, the car had travelled 11 miles before he decided to run again. Rejuvenated from his rest, he raced ahead towards the finish and crossed the line first. It wasn't until the medal ceremony that he was called out by spectators for his dishonesty, at which point he confessed he had only finished as a joke and apologised to the organisers. The race and the gold medal was awarded to Thomas Hicks, who had finished second. He had been administered strychnine by his coach to improve his performance but at this time this was not illegal.

2. At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, an NHL rink was used for the ice hockey games. How does an NHL rink compare to an Olympic rink?

From Quiz Olympic Games of the 2010s

Answer: The NHL rink is narrower

An Olympic hockey rink is 200 feet long and 98.5 feet wide. An NHL hockey rink is 200 feet long and 85 feet wide. There was some question as to whether North American Hockey teams would be at an advantage in Vancouver because of their familiarity with the narrower rink. The rink used was the now Rogers Center, home of the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. The Canadian team won the gold, the US team won the silver, and the Finnish team won the bronze in both the Men's and Women's competition.

3. Which nation did NOT win its first Winter Olympic medal at the 1992 Albertville Olympics?

From Quiz Olympic Games of the 1990s

Answer: Australia

Australia's first Winter Olympic medal would come two years later at Lillehammer when Steven Bradbury, Kieran Hansen, Andrew Murtha, and Richard Nizielski won the bronze medal for the 5000m relay in short track speed skating. Annelise Coberger won the silver medal for New Zealand in the women's slalom of alpine skiing. China won three medals at this Olympics, all silver. Li Yan won for women's 500m short track speed skating. Ye Qiaobo won medals for women's 500m and women's 1000m for speed skating. South Korea made a mark in the 1992 Winter Olympics with four medals. Kim Ki-hoon won the gold medal and Lee Joon-ho the bronze medal for the men's 1000m for short track speed skating. Kim Ki-hoon, Lee Joon-ho, Mo Ji-soo, and Song Jae-kun won the gold medal for the men's 5000m relay for short track speed skating. Kim Yoon-man won the silver medal for the men's 1000m for speed skating.

4. When did Tokyo first host the Olympics?

From Quiz History of Olympic Games 1896-2016

Answer: 1964

Japan was the first Asian country to host the Games in 1964. The Games were held from 10th to 24th October. They were supposed to host the 1940 Games which were cancelled due to WWII. The host did well to finish third on the medal tally with 16 golds, behind USA with 36 golds and USSR with 30 golds.

5. Michael Phelps was the first to conquer 20 Olympic gold medals. But who won a jolly fifty-five medals, and this without looking? She set this exceptional achievement while being blind.

From Quiz It's Hard to Type with a Cat on Your Lap...

Answer: Zorn, Trischa

Trischa Zorn was born in California in 1964. Despite being blind from birth, she completed university studies and started a teaching career. Her Paralympic swimming career started in 1980, and that year she won five individual gold medals as well as two team gold medals. Her best result was in 1988, with ten individual gold medals and two team gold medals. In 2004 she competed for the last time at the Paralympics, adding one bronze medal to her vast collection. In total Trischa Zorn won 30 individual gold medals, 8 individual silver medals and 4 individual bronze medals, as well as seven gold, two silver and one bronze in the team competitions. The red herrings never competed in the Paralympics, but claimed gold in the Olympics. Nadia Comaneci was an Olympic gymnast, the first to reach a perfect score. Françoise Mbango Etone was an Olympic athlete who won two gold medals in the triple jump competition. Gao Min was a female Olympic diver with two gold medals.

6. This, far from average, American wrestler won golds at 62kg in both 1988 (Seoul) and 1992 (Barcelona). He was also a world champion at 62kg in 1987,1989,1990,and 1991.

From Quiz Great Olympic Wrestlers (Freestyle)

Answer: John Smith

John Smith wrestled at Oklahoma State University where he was a two time NCAA champion. He comes from a wrestling family - and has wrestled with and coached his brothers, sons, and nephews.

7. The 1960 Winter Olympics was held in Squaw Valley, CA. Which event stood out at that Olympics by not being part of the program?

From Quiz Olympics of the 1960s

Answer: Bobsleigh

When Squaw Valley was chosen as a future Olympic site in 1956, the facilities there were very limited. The California State Legislature would authorize $5,000,000 to spend on a number facilities including housing for athletes and performance venues. The organizers chose not build a bobsleigh facility as it was felt that only a small number of the nations participating would have a bobsleigh team (9 of the 30 countries). Biathlon actually made its first appearance at the 1960 Winter Olympics.

8. In the Olympic Games of 1908 (London) and 1912, there were a few queer sports. Who excelled in the bizarre events of standing long jump and standing high jump?

From Quiz Greek, Set, Match

Answer: Kostas Tsiklitiras

Konstantinos Tsiklitiras (1888-1913), nicknamed Kostas, competed in both defunct jumping disciplines in London 1908 and in Stockholm 1912. Besides these jumping events, he also practiced water polo and soccer in Greece. In London Tsiklitiras scored a standing high jump of 1,55 m. He shared second place with the American John Biller, and the gold went to the famous Ray Ewry (also from the USA). For the standing long jump, Ewry reached 3,33 m and first place, while Tsiklitiras and the American Martin Sheridan jumped for 3,22 m. But when the distance was calculated using Imperial standards instead of metres, Tsiklitiras had a narrowly better result than Sheridan. In Stockholm Tsiklitiras repeated his standing high jump of 1,55 m. But this gave him only the third place, as the Americans Ben Adams (with 1,60 m) and Platt Adams (1,63 m) outdid him. In the standing long jump, Tsiklitiras won with 3,37 m. Platt Adams (3,36 m) claimed second place and Ben Adams (3,28m) completed the podium. Vyntra and Papadopoulos (both born 1981) gained fame as soccer players. Stojakovic (born 1977 in Serbia, but with the double nationality) played basketball.

9. In the Helsinki games of 1952, there were two Olympic Cauldrons lit, one at ground level and one higher up. Which famous athlete lit the one at ground level?

From Quiz Who Lit The Cauldron?

Answer: Paavo Nurmi

Nurmi was known as 'the flying Finn' and was a winner of nine Olympic gold medals in the 1920s for Finland. In the summer games of 1952, the Olympic torch was passed to him to light the cauldron at ground level on the field. The torch was then passed on to four Finnish footballers who carried it to the top of the stadium where Hannes Kolehmainen, another Finnish born athlete, lit the higher cauldron. Werner Heisenberg was a German physicist; Johnny Weissmuller played 'Tarzan' in films and was previously an Olympic swimmer for the USA; Harold Abrahams was a British athlete, one of two whose story was told in the Oscar winning film 'Chariots of Fire'.

10. The first Olympic champion in recorded history represented which country?

From Quiz Summer Olympic Games

Answer: Greece

Coroebus from the ancient district of Elis in Greece was the winner of the only event in 776 B.C. It was the Stadion, a running event. In those very early days of course, all competitors came from Greece.

11. On the Opening Ceremony day for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, an athlete in what sport died tragically on a training run at the Olympic venue?

From Quiz Faster Disaster

Answer: Luge

On February 12th, 2010, 21-year old Nodar David Kumaritashvili of Georgia suffered a fatal crash when he was thrown off his luge and over the sidewall of the track. His body hit an unpadded steel support pole. At the time he was traveling at 143.6 km/h (89.2mph). A year earlier at a test event on the Whistler track, a luger had attained a speed of 95.65mph. Nodar was an accomplished athlete and had started in the sport at just 13 years of age. Vancouver was set to be his Olympic debut.

12. With a name that sounds similar to the national animal of his native country, who was the first person to win gold medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympics?

From Quiz Games, Gold, and Glory

Answer: Eddie Eagan

American Eddie Eagen won a gold medal for boxing at the 1920 Summer Games in Antwerp. He was also a part of a bobsled team that won a gold medal at the 1932 Lake Placid Winter Games. A Yale graduate who attended Harvard Law School and studied at Oxford, Eagen was also the first American to win the British Amateur Boxing Championship. None of the other athletes mentioned participated in the Winter Olympics. Paavo Nurmi was a Finnish long distance runner, Carl Lewis was a middle-distance runner and jumper, and Steve Redgrave was a British rower.

13. The year is 1976. I am in Montreal, Canada watching Nadia Comaneci's amazing, dreamlike performance. In a wild applause of cheers, I am waving, alongside the other spectators, the mascot of the Games. Its name is Amik, but what animal is it?

From Quiz Amazing Mascots of Amazing Olympics

Answer: Beaver

In the language Anishinaabe, "Amik" is beaver. It has a pure dark black color with stripes of the Iris, aka rainbow, colors. The black beaver, basis for the mascot, is native to Canada.

14. One race of the Olympics is a marathon. What is the distance a runner has to run? (rounded to the nearest tenth of a mile)

From Quiz The Race Is On!

Answer: 26.2 miles (42.2 kilometers)

Marathons are named after the Battle of Marathon, an ancient battle between Greece and Persia. After the Greeks won, a herald was sent to run from Marathon to Athens to tell the Greeks of their victory. He ran the long distance, told the Greeks they won, and then died. The 2004 marathon actually went from Marathon to Athens.

15. Mary Lou Retton won the first All-Around women's medal for the United States of America in which sport?

From Quiz Olympians

Answer: Gymnastics

She won the 1984 gold medal in Los Angeles, making her the first American woman to win a gold medal in gymnastics.

16. Where were the first modern Summer Olympics held?

From Quiz Olympic Knowledge

Answer: Athens, Greece

The modern Olympics (the name Olympics was derived from Olympia, a city in Greece, that always "hosted" the ancient Olympics) were going to start in 1900 in Paris, but the IOC (International Olympic Committee) decided that the Olympics should start in 1896 in Greece because that's where the Olympics started. Paris hosted the Olympics in 1900 and 1924 (both summer). St. Louis hosted the Olympics in 1904 (summer), and Rome hosted the Olympics in 1960 (summer).

17. Eric Moussambani swam the 100m freestyle for Equatorial Guinea at the 2000 Summer Olympics. What nickname did the press give him?

From Quiz They Won Our Hearts

Answer: Eric The Eel

Before coming to the Olympics, Eric had never swum in an Olympic size pool, and had only taken up swimming about eight months earlier. He gained entry without meeting any qualifying standard, on a wildcard designed to encourage developing countries to compete without having expensive training facilities. His heat time for his first race was 1 minute 52.72 seconds, over a minute slower than the world record, and he actually won it as his two competitors were disqualified for false starts. He came last in the final but received massive cheers and encouragement from the audience.

18. Baron Pierre de Coubertin is credited with being the driving force behind the development of modern Olympic Games. But which person organised an athletics competition in 1850 in Much Wenlock, Shropshire which he called the Olympic Games?

From Quiz Olympics: More Than a Game

Answer: Dr William Brooks

Dr William Brooks was a trained physician who believed that exercise could help prevent illness. Baron de Coubertin attended the Much Wenlock Games. Thomas Arnold was headmaster of Rugby (a school in Engalnd). Baron de Coubertin was impressed with physical education at English schools and had visited Rugby. Prince Albert was the husband of Queen Victoria. Juan Antonio Samaranch is a former president of the International Olympic Committee.

19. The Olympic games were started by the ancient Greeks to honor which god?

From Quiz The Olympic Games

Answer: Zeus

In the original Olympic Games, there were not gold, silver, and bronze medals like there are today. There was only one champion of each sport, and he lived a life of luxury for pleasing Zeus. Zeus was the most powerful of the Greek gods, and the champions of each event were believed to be watched over by Zeus.

20. The first modern day Olympic games were held in Athens in 1896. Host country Greece won 10 of the 43 silver medals which were then awarded to the winners. Probably the most famous of the Greek winners was Spiridon Louis. Which event did he win?

From Quiz Legends of the Olympics

Answer: Marathon

Up to the marathon, none of the track and field events had been won by the Greeks (all had gone to the United States or Australia). This was particularly hard on the Greeks in the case of the discus throw, a classic sporting event that (like the marathon) had not had international competition before, and which the Greeks hoped to win. Instead it was won by the American Robert Garrett, even though he had started training only on the voyage to Greece (he also won the shot put, and finished second on high jump and long jump).

21. London was selected to host the games in 2012. It will not be their first as they hosted the Summer Games twice already. When did London host them previously?

From Quiz Olympic Hosts Revisited

Answer: 1908 and 1948

London first held the games in 1908. They were due to host them again in 1944, but they were canceled because of World War II. Instead, London hosted the first games after the war in 1948. 2012 London will be the first city to have staged the Summer Games for a third time.

22. The Olympic motto - Citius, Altius, Fortius, was taken by Baron de Coubertin from a Latin phrase used by a priest named who?

From Quiz Olympic Symbols

Answer: Henry Didon

The Olympic motto was carved over the entrance of Father Didon's school. It was first used at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

23. In what year was the first recorded Olympic Games held?

From Quiz Olympic Games Ancient History

Answer: 776 BC

It consisted of only one event, the "stade" race (about 220 yards), and the first winner was Coroibis of Elis.

24. St Louis hosted the 1904 Olympics - the third modern games. However, the Olympics were not originally scheduled to be held there. What city was selected to host the Games of the III Olympiad?

From Quiz Almost Hosted The Olympics

Answer: Chicago

The games were relocated to St. Louis as a World's Fair was taking place there at the time.

25. How many sports were included in the Athens Olympics of 1896?

From Quiz Coubertin's Legacy

Answer: 9

These were athletics, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, lawn tennis, swimming, shooting, weightlifting, and wrestling. James Connolly(USA), became the first winner in 1527 years when he won gold in what is now called the triple jump.

26. When were the first Ancient Olympic Games held?

From Quiz History of the Olympic Games

Answer: 776 BC

The Ancient Olympic Games were held every four years at Olympia, and all free Greek men could compete. The first Ancient Olympic Games were held in 776 BC and the last in 393 AD, when Emperor Theodosius I abolished them. Scholars have speculated that the games in 776 BC were not the first games, but rather the first games held after they were organised into four yearly festivals. A naked runner, Coroebus, a cook, won the sole event at these Olympics, a run of around 192m (210 yards). This made Coroebus the very first Olympic champion in written history.

27. In what year did aquatic events debut at the Olympics as a medal event?

From Quiz Olympic Sport Debut Years

Answer: 1896

Athens 1896: aquatics broad umbrella includes events like Diving, Swimming, Synchronised Swimming and Water Polo. Swimming has been an Olympic sport since 1896, Diving made its debut in current form in 1928, however it has has been contested since 1904. Synchronised Swimming was first held in 1984 in solo and duet events, 1996 saw only a team's competition with the duet event returning in 2000. Water Polo was played during the 1900 Paris Olympics and has been contested at all games since 1908 with the woman's competition debuting in 2000.

28. Which city hosted the Winter Games only two years after the previous Winter Games had been held?

From Quiz Olympic Host Cities

Answer: Lillehammer

This small Norwegian town was the 1994 host, two years after the Games of Albertville. The reason for this un-Olympic interval was that the IOC wanted Winter and Summer Games to be arranged in separate years and achieved this by shortening one interval for the Winter Games.

29. What did competitors of the Games wear?

From Quiz The Ancient Greek Olympics

Answer: nothing

Shocking?? The competitors trained and competed in the nude. That is why the statues of discus throwers and chariot racers have nothing on. The Ancient Greeks had few 'hang-ups' about the human body, which they tended to regard as something of beauty in its own right.

30. Around 1913, the founder of the Modern Olympics designed the Olympic Flag. Who was this person?

From Quiz Olympic Symbols and Ceremonies

Answer: Baron Pierre de Coubertin

The Olympic Flag made its debut at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium.

This is category 743
Last Updated Mar 18 2024 2:06 PM
play trivia = Top 5% Rated Quiz, take trivia quiz Top 10% Rated Quiz, test trivia quiz Top 20% Rated Quiz, popular trivia A Well Rated Quiz
new quizzes = added recently, editor pick = Editor's Pick editor = FunTrivia Editor gold = Gold Member

Teachers / educators: FunTrivia welcomes the use of our website and quizzes in the classroom as a teaching aid or for preparing and testing students. See our education section. Our quizzes are printable and may be used as question sheets by k-12 teachers, parents, and home schoolers.

 ·  All questions, answers, and quiz content on this website is copyright FunTrivia, Inc and may not be reproduced without permission. Any images from TV shows and movies are copyright their studios, and are being used under "fair use" for commentary and education.