I love to play sport, and more so, I love to win - I suppose it's my competitive nature. When it comes to watching sports, I'm not the most avid watcher. I mean don't get me wrong sports are very interesting to watch, but I'm not fussed if I miss a big sporting final, I'll watch it if it's on and I decide that I'm going to watch t.v, but as far as following particular sports, I'm not bothered. With something like the Olympics though, I know I will watch it, not all of it, but the parts that interest me. And with so many events to choose from, it's never boring. This list is based on the research I have conducted and slightly on my own opinion. The list is in no particular order. Hope you enjoy. :)
1. Cycling
Cycling, or more specifically velodrome cycling, is a very popular Olympic event. A velodrome is a cycling track designed for high speed cycle races. Modern velodromes are designed in the shape of a oval, having 180 degree bends at either end and steep sloped edges. It was international events, such as the Olympic Games that led to standardisation of velodromes. An Olympic velodrome must measure 250m.
2. Athletics
Athletics is another very popular Olympic event, that consists of a variety of different sports. These include; race walking, track and field, cross-country, mountain running, and road running. With the exception of relay racing, athletics is an individual sport, with organised athletics being able to be traced back to the ancient Olympics.
For a standard outdoor running track, it will consist of 8 lanes (1.2m in width), and will be 400m in length, being the shape of a stadium.
3. Swimming
Swimming is the third event to appear on this list, and rightly so. In the Olympics, athletes taking part in this event, will be swimming in what's known as a 'long course pool', which is the name given to a pool being 50m in length.
Swimming has the second largest number of events after athletics. The first four Olympics would see swimmers swim in open water, for example in the year 1896 it was the in the Mediterranean sea.
4. Triathlon
Credit: JKrabbe
The triathlon is a race consisting of three different sections: running, cycling, and swimming. After each section is finished an area called the transition stage occurs, where athletes must try and transition from one event to the next. For example, after swimming, athletes must remove their wetsuits, put on their cycling shoes get on their bike and sort out their helmet. This is whilst the race is still on. After the cycling, athletes must then transition from cycling to running. Sometimes it's these transition sections that make or break a race.
A standard Olympic triathlon will have 1.5km swimming, 40km of cycling, and 10km of running.
5. Sailing
Sailing is the sport of racing boats without the aid of an engine. Using the boats sails, sailors manage to use the wind for propulsion. The Olympics will hold sailing events in areas where no other boats will be allowed to access whilst the race is on.
Every sailor must know how to and carry out a proper lookout at all times, adjust speeds to suit the conditions, and know whether to 'stand on' or 'give way' in any close-quarters situation.
6. Taekwondo
Taekwondo is the national sport of South Korea and has gained international popularity over the years. It has been an Olympic event since the year 2000.
The martial art combines a mixture of combat fighting, self-defence, sport, and exercise. It is one of the world's most popular martial arts.
Taekwondo is known for it's emphasises on kicking, the rationale being that the leg is the strongest weapon that our bodies have.
7. Equestrian
Equestrian is the sport of horseback riding, more specifically referring to the skill of riding, driving, steeplechasing or vaulting with horses. The practice of horseback riding is not only used for sport, but also as a recreational activity, a mode of transport, and for working purposes.
Equestrian first made its appearance in the Olympics in 1900, disappearing then until 1912. All riders wishing to take part in the event must be 16 years or older and be riding horses that are 7 years or older. There is no maximum age requirements.
8. Gymnastics
credit: Chen Ming/Xinhua
Gymnastics is another popular event and is the performance of exercises that require physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. The Ancient Greeks would perform a form of gymnastics where individual athletes would perform some type of athletic feat according to that said individual, of course at lot has changed since then.
Gymnastics appeared in the 1896 Olympics, and by 1954 the event had been standardised.
9. Wrestling
Wrestling is a physical contact combat sport where participants use forms of grappling techniques, throws, take-downs, pins, and the like, to defeat an opponent. Victory is normally shown through a wrestler showing physical superiority over his/her opponent.
During the Ancient Olympics of the Greeks, wrestling was a brutal sport but was also the most popular. The Romans also decided to participate in wrestling events of their own, removing much of the Greeks brutality. The first competition to appear in the modern Olympics was that of 1904.
10. Volleyball
Volleyball is the last sporting event to make the list, and is a fun sport to play if you ever have the chance. It has been apart of the Olympics since 1964. It is the national sport of Sri Lanka. It is a team event where each team (consisting of 6 players) must try to ground the ball on the opposing teams side, having first hit the ball over the net.
A standard volleyball court is 18m long x 9m wide, divided into 9m x 9m halves by a one-meter (40-inch) wide net. The top of the net is 243 cm from the ground, 224cm for the women's event.
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