Olympics Games History

The Tokyo Olympics 2020 will begin on July 23 and culminate on August 8, 2021. Having been postponed by a year due to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic that engulfed the globe, the 32n Olympiad will be held in the Japanese capital for the second time. Approximately a total of 11238 athletes from 206 nations are expected to participate in Tokyo Games in 339 events in 33 sports, across 50 disciplines. India is sending its largest-ever contingent of 126 athletes in Tokyo.

The 2016 Olympic Games were held in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil between August 5 and 21. The 31st Olympiad saw 11,238 athletes from 207 nations competing in 306 events in 28 sports across 41 disciplines. The United States grabbed 46 gold, 37 silver, and 38 bronze medals to top the tally with 121 medals. Great Britain (27 gold), China (26 gold), Russia (19) and Germany (17) were ranked second, third, fourth, and fifth respectively. India sent a 117-strong Olympic contingent to Rio, comprising 63 men and 54 women but finished with a silver and a bronze medal. Female shuttler PV Sindhu settled for silver while female wrestler Sakshi Malik bagged a bronze medal.

The 2012 Olympic Games were hosted in London and witnessed 10768 athletes (5992 men, 4776 women) from 204 nations. The 30th Olympiads were held between July 27 and August 12. A total of 302 events were held in 26 sports, across 39 disciplines. It was in London Games when Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian of all-time winning his 22nd medal. USA topped the medal table with 104 podium finishes, including 46 gold medals, followed by China (38 gold, 91 overall) and Great Britain (29 gold, 17 silver, 19 bronze; 65 overall). India sent 83 athletes in London to compete in 13 sports. It was India's most impressive show in Olympics in terms of medal counts, having won a total of 6 medals (2 silver and 4 bronze). Shooter Vijay Kumar and wrestler Sushil Kumar bagged silver medals while shooter Gagan Narang, wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, female boxer Mary Kom and female shuttler Saina Nehwal settled for a bronze medal.

China's capital Beijing hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics between August 8 and 24. A total of 10942 athletes from 204 nations participated in 28 sports and 302 events. It was the first time China hosted the Olympics and a total of 37 venues were used to host the events. However, the equestrian events were held in Hong Kong. An unprecedented 87 countries won at least a medal in Beijing Games as China topped the medal tally with 48 gold and 100 overall. The USA was ranked second with 36 gold and 112 overall. US swimmer Michael Phelps won eight gold medals in the games, setting a world record of winning most yellow metals in a single Olympic Games. It was the best-ever performance from India as the country finished with a gold and two bronze medals. Abhinav Bindra won gold in a 10-meter air rifle. Wrestler Sushil Kumar and boxer Vijender Singh bagged bronze in their respective categories.

The 2004 Summer Olympics were held between 13 and 29 August in Greece's capital Athens. The 28th Olympiad hosted athletes 10625 athletes (6296 men, 4329 women) from 201 nations. These athletes participated in 301 events in 28 sports across 40 disciplines. The United States topped the medal table with 36 gold medals (101 overall), followed by China (32 gold, 63 overall). For India, captain Rajyawardhan Singh Rathore won a silver medal in shooting and won the country's first individual silver medal. India sent a contingent of 73 athletes in 14 sports to Athens.

The first Olympic Games in the new millennia were held in Sydney in 2000. The 27th Olympiad was held between September 15 and October 1, and it was the second time the Summer Olympics were held in Australia after Melbourne 1956. Teams from 199 countries participated and 10651 athletes (6582 men and 4069 women) contested in 300 events in 28 sports across 40 disciplines. The medal table was topped by the USA (37 gold), followed by Russia (32 gold), China (28 gold )and Australia (16) gold. India's female weightlifter Karnam Malleswari was the sole medal winner when she bagged a bronze medal in women's 69 kg. A total of 65 Indian athletes participated in 36 events.

In 1996, Summer Olympics were held in Atlanta, USA. Officially known as the 26th Olympiad, the games were held between July 19 and August 4, it was the fourth Olympics to be hosted in the USA. 10320 athletes (6797 men and 3523 women) from 197 nations were part of the Atlanta Games. They participated in 271 events in 26 sports across 37 disciplines. The United States topped the medal table with 44 gold, 32 silver and 25 bronze taking their tally to 101. Russia came second with 26 gold medals, 63 overall. For India, Leander Paes became the first tennis player to bag an Olympic medal after clinching a bronze. That was the lone Olympic medal for India in Atlanta.

The 1992 Summer Olympics were held in Barcelona in Spain and were officially known as the 25th Olympiad. 9356 athletes (6652 men, 2,704 women) from 169 nations participated in these games across 257 events across 34 disciplines in 25 sports. The Barcelona Games were held between July 25 and August 9. South Africa was invited to these Games after its 32-year-long ban due to apartheid was lifted. The Unified Team, comprising former Soviet Republics without the Baltic States, topped the medal table with overall 112 medals, including 45 gold. India sent 53 athletes to Barcelona Games but remained medalless.

The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the 24th Olympiad were held in the South Korean capital of Seoul. The international event was held between September 17 and October 2. A total of 8,391 athletes (6,197 men and 2,194 women) from 159 countries participated in Seoul Olympics across 237 events in 31 disciplines. The Soviet Union once again topped the medal tally with 55 gold medals (overall 132) while East Germany ranked second with 37 first-place finish at the podium (overall 102). South Korea finished fourth with 12 gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze medals (33 overall) after the USA (94 medals).

The 23rd Olympiad was held in 1984 in Los Angeles. The multi-sport event was held from July 28 to August 12 and saw participation from 140 nations. 6829 athletes (5263 men and 1566 women) were part of the Games to compete in 221 events in 29 disciplines in 21 sports. The Soviet Union boycotted these Games resulting in the USA bagging a total of 174 medals (83 gold, 61 silver and 30 bronze). Romania was second with 20 gold, 16 silver and 17 bronze medals. India couldn't even open its medal tally in LA Olympics in '84.

The 1980 Summer Olympics were held in the Soviet Union's capital city of Moscow and were officially known as XXII Olympiad. The Moscow Olympics were organised between 19 July and August 3. The Moscow Games witnessed 5179 athletes (4064 men and 1115 women) from 80 nations. The athletes participated in 203 events in 27 disciplines in 21 sports. The United States and 65 other countries boycotted the games because of the Soviet-Afghan War. The Soviet Union won 195 medals in all (80 gold, 69 silver and 46 bronze) followed by East Germany 126 medals, including 47 gold, 37 silver and 42 bronze. India won a gold medal in hockey and finished 23rd in the table.

The 1976 Summer Olympics were held in Montreal, Canada from July 17 to August 1. It was the 21st Olympiad in which 6084 athletes (4824 men and 1260 women) from 92 countries participated across 27 disciplines in 198 events in 21 sports. Soviet Union (125) once again topped the medal tally in Montreal with 49 gold, 41 silver and 35 bronze. East Germany (90 medals) pipped the USA (94) in the medal table with 40 gold medals while the latter bagged 34 yellow metals. India remained medal-less and it was the first instance since 1928 in which the Indian Men's hockey team did not win an Olympic Medal.

The 1972 Summer Olympics were the 20th Olympiad held in Germany's Munich city, held between August 26 and September 11. The games were overshadowed by the terrorist attack in which 11 Israeli athletes and coaches and a West German cop were killed at the Olympic village by Palestinian Black September terrorists. 7,134 athletes (6075 men and 1059 women) participated in 195 events in 21 sports across 28 disciplines. Soviet Union bagged 99 medals while the USA won a total of 94. India won a bronze medal in hockey in Munich.

The 1968 Summer Games were the 19th Olympics which were held in Mexico City, the first Games to be staged in Latin America and a Spanish-speaking country. Mexico City Olympics were held between 12 and 27 October. The all-weather synthetic track for track and field events were used for the first time in the 1968 Games. 5,516 athletes (4,735 men and 781 women) from 112 nations participated in 172 events in 18 sports, across 24 disciplines. The US won the most medals in the Games.

The 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo were the 18th Olympiad held between 10 and 24 October in the capital city of Japan. It was the first instance when the Olympics were held in Asia. South Africa was excluded from the Games due to its apartheid system in sports. A total of 5151 athletes, 4473 men and 678 women from 93 nations participated in the Games. 163 events in 19 sports across 25 disciplines were held at the National Stadium in Tokyo. The USA topped the medal tally with 90 medals, including 36 Gold, 26 Silver and 28 Bronze. Japan - the host country - bagged 29 medals and came third after the Soviet Union with 96 medals. India sent a contingent of 53 athletes, 52 men and 1 woman, who participated in 42 events in 8 sports. India's lone medal came as a hockey gold where the men's team defeated Pakistan in the final.

The Games of VII Olympiad was held from August 25 to September 11 at the Italian capital city. It was yet another show of strength my Soviet Union who emerged on top with 103 medals, followed by the US block and just like in Melbourne, in Rome it was hosts Italy who finished third.

The Games of XVI Olympiad was held from November 22 to December 8 in Melbourne. All events except equestrian were held in Australia with equestrian being held in Stockholm. The Games was the first to be held in Southern Hemisphere and Oceania. Soviet Union dislodged United States from the top with the hosts finishing third.

The Games of the XV Olympiad was held from July 19 to August 3 in Finland’s capital city. Helsinki was the Olympics at which most world records were broken and it stood the test time of times till 2008 Beijing. 4,925 athletes from 69 countries participated and it was United States who topped the medals tally with 76, followed by Soviet Union.

The London Olympics held in 1948 is known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad as the previous two editions were not held due to World War. The 14th Games, had 136 medal events in 23 disciplines and was held from July 29 to August 14. It was known as Austerity Games due to the economic crisis following the two World Wars.

The Games of XI Olympiad was held from August 1 to 16, 1936 at Berlin, Germany. 22 venues were used for the 1936 Summer Games. A total of 49 nations attended the Berlin Games, five more than the previous one and five nations made their Games debut as well. The host nation topped the medal charts with 89, with the United States coming in second with 56.

The Games of X Olympiad was held from July 30 to August 14, 1932 in Los Angeles, the US. An Olympic Village was built for the first time in Games history and it became a model for future Olympics. The Games had many other firsts, including victory podium and an Olympic mascot.

The Games of IX Olympiad was held from July 28 to August 12, 1928 in the Netherlands capital city. Yet again it was the United States, who won the most and overall gold medals It was a landmark games for India as they won their first gold in field hockey, beginning a streak of six consecutive gold medals in the sport.

The Games of VIII Olympiad was held from July 5 to 27, 1924. It was the second time the French capital city was hosting the quadrennial extravaganza. The United States contingent once again won the most gold and overall medals despite fielding only 229 athletes compared to the host nation’s whopping 401.

It was technically the seventh edition or the Games of VII Olympiad as the previous one scheduled to held in London in 1912 was cancelled due to the outbreak of the first World War. The Antwerp, Belgium Games was held from August 14 to September 12, 1920 with the United States winning the most gold and overall medals.

The fifth Olympics or the Games of V Olympiad was held at Stockholm, Sweden, from May 5 to July 22, 1912. 2,408 competitors including 48 women from 28 countries participated in 102 events. Japan created history by becoming the first Asian nation to compete in Olympics. It was the last Olmpics to issue solid gold medals.

Officially the Games of IV Olympiad, the fourth Olympics was held in London from April 27 to October 21, 1908. Lasting 187 days, the Games was the longest in modern Olympics history. The Games was originally scheduled to be held in Rome, but was shifted to London due to financial crisis in the Italian capital.

Also known as Games of III Olympiad, it was multi-sports event held at St Louis, Missouri, the US from August 29 to September 3, 1904. It was the first Olympic Games that was held out of Europe and as part of an extended sports programme events lasted from July 1 to November 23, events were held at campus of Washington University.

The second Olympics or the Games of II Olympiad was held in the French capital city of Paris from May 14 to October 28, 1900. The multi-sport event had 997 participants in 19 events. Women took part in Olympics for the first time in Paris with sailor Helene de Pourtales becoming the first female Olympic champion.

The first Olympic Games was held from April 6 to 15, 1986 at the ancient city of Greece. 241 athletes from 14 nations participated in what is officially known as the Games of 1 Olympiad. Participants were mostly European ot those living in Europe, with United States being the sole exception.