10 Things You Might Not Know about the Summer Olympics

02 Aug 10 Things You Might Not Know about the Summer Olympics

We are 3 days away from the 2016 Summer Olympics games in Rio, Brazil. We thought now would be the perfect time to give a little information and offer these 10 things you may not know about the summer games:

1. The new and more modern Olympic Games are based on the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece that were held every four years beginning in 776 BC in Olympia, Greece.
2. The only countries to have had representatives in every Summer Olympic Games are Greece, Australia, France, Great Britain, and Switzerland.
3. Unfortunately, World Wars that were happening in 1916, 1940, and 1944 caused the Olympic Games to be canceled those years.
4. With the United States hosting the Summer Olympics in St Louis 1904, Los Angeles 1932 & 1984, and Atlanta 1996 – 4 times in total- we have hosted more times than any other country.
5. Linked together as a symbol of friendship, the 5 rings of the Olympic flag represent Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas.
6. The colors of the rings – blue, black, green, yellow, and red – are symbolic of every national flag in the world. Each flag carries at least one color.
7. The fun children’s game Tug of War was an actual team event at the Summer Olympics from 1900 to 1920.
8. This year’s Summer Olympics in Rio will be the first Games ever held in South America.
9. Considered this year’s “new” sports of the Olympic Games, golf and rugby were actually already a part of the Games in the past. Golf has been away for 112 years and rugby will be returning after 92 years.
10. The slogan of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro is “Viva sua paixão” which means “Live your passion” in English.

We are looking forward to the Opening Ceremonies and hope you are too!