While the world is getting all geared up for the Rio 2016 Olympics Opening Ceremony on Aug 5 and non-stop chatter surrounding the Games ensues, here are some facts you might not have known about the historic event that has been going on for centuries.
1. This is the first Olympic Games to be held in a South American country
But it is the third time the Games is held in the southern hemisphere. The other two times the event was held in the southern hemisphere were in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia.
2. Most number of participating countries
With 207 countries, this makes 2016 the year with the most number of participating countries. South Sudan and Kosovo will be taking part for the first time ever.
3. Youngest athlete to compete is 13 years old
Gaurika Singh will be representing Nepal for swimming, so look out for her in the women’s 100m backstroke event. She currently holds Nepal’s national record of 1:07.31 for 100m backstroke.
4. Golf is returning to the Games; Rugby Sevens makes a debut
The last time golf was included was in Missouri 1904, but it is now returning after a century-long hiatus. However the world’s top four players will not be present, naming Zika as the reason for pulling out.
There has only been Rugby with 15-a-side held previously in 1924. So it’s been decades after that Rugby Sevens is making a debut. Each game will last 15 minutes and both men and women’s team will have medal contenders.
5. First time there’ll be a refugee team
Competing as Refugee Olympic Team (ROT), five middle-distance runners from South Sudan, two swimmers from Syria, two judokas from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a marathon-runner from Ethiopia will be the first-ever refugees team. This is the first time the International Olympic Committee is allowing refugees to take part.
One of the swimmers, 18-year-old Yusra Mardini, made headlines earlier this year when she and two others swam and pulled a boat for three hours to reach Greece. So, look out for #TeamRefugees this Games!
6. Security is extra tight with 85,000 soldiers and policemen to be deployed
Around 85,000 soldiers and policemen will be deployed – the largest security force assembled at any event in Brazil’s history and twice as large as the security presence for London 2012. Already with the cases of robbery for the Australian team as well as Chinese hurdler Shi Dongpeng, it looks like the added security measures is needed.
Other interesting Olympic facts include…
7. Tug of war used to be an Olympic sport
As unbelievable as it sounds, this childhood game that stirs up memories in the playground was an Olympic sport from 1900-1920.
8. The ancient Olympics were competed in the nude
Competitors often oiled themselves up for looks as a tribute to the Gods. It was one of the reasons why only men were allowed to compete – up until the 1900 Paris Games.
Reuters
rissaho@sph.com.sg
