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The Olympic Games

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A - F

  1. Ancient Olympics
    This section includes information about the original Olympics, on which the modern format has been based.
    • Ancient Olympic Games
      Covers origins, legends, history, events, famous athletes and has a range of other references and links. From wikipedia.
    • ‘No-Women’ Rule In Ancient Olympics
      [Macho Myth or Reality ?]
      An extensive, text article on this topic, presented in both English and Greek.
    • Olympics Through Time
      ‘The spirit of the Olympic Games. Learn their long history, explore their unkwown aspects and discover the society that created them, through a variety of activities’ Also has a section on the modern Olympics.
    • The Ancient Olympics
      ‘You can compare ancient and modern Olympic sports, tour the site of Olympia as it looks today, learn about the context of the Games and the Olympic spirit, or read about the Olympic athletes who were famous in ancient times.’
    • The Athletics of the Ancient Olympics
      ‘These papers are available for research purposes. You may copy them and distribute them for free, but they must remain unchanged.’
    • The Olympics
      From the BBC Schools unit. Find information, answer selected questions and follow the trail.
    • The Origin of the Olympics
      [Ancient Calendars and the Race Against Time]
      A text based research article that equates some of the mythology and calendar information related to the games.
    • The Real History of …
      [The Ancient Olympic Games]
      ‘It’s easy to assume that the ancient Olympic Games were different, that ancient Greek athletes were pure in mind and body, that they trained and competed for no other reason than the love of physical exercise, fair competition and to honor their gods. But is this really true ? Well, no. In fact, politics, nationalism, commercialism and athletics were intimately related in the ancient Olympic Games.’
    • Virtual Museum of …
      [The Ancient Olympic Games]
      ‘Here you will find a plethora of information about the contests that are the forefathers of our modern Olympic Games. [Note :] In order to use this site, we ask that you register with us and accept our copyright agreement.’
    • With Hands or Swift Feet
      ‘The ancient Greek city-states were rarely as united as they were at the Olympic Games. This article has been adapted from A Brief History of the Olympic Games, by David C. Young.’
  2. Australian Olympic Committees
    Includes information about the Australian Committe and organisation, and the role it plays in selecting teams to represent this country at all forms of the Olympics.
    • Australian Olympic Committee
      ‘The official website of the Australian Olympic Committee.’ Includes education, Sports [summer, winter and discontinued], athletes & coaches, multimedia gallery and more.
    • Australian Paralympic Committee
      Find information about the games, Australian Paralypic athletes, sports, news, programs, how you can support their efforts and considerably more.
    • Australian Youth Olympic Festival
      ‘The Australian Youth Olympic Festival [AYOF] is fully funded by the Australian Olympic Committee and held biennially. After four very successful events in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 the AOC has committed to another AYOF in January 2009 and 2011.’
    • Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Australia
      [Official Site of the 2008 Australian Olympic Team]
      Media Centre, Interactive Map, News, education material for use in schools, selection guides, downloads and much more.
      Note : you will need the latest version of Flash to access everything, but you can download it via this site.
    • Beijing 2008 Olympic Team Members
      ‘Meet the athletes that have been selected as members of the 2008 Australian Olympic Team. Select from the [listed] sports.’
  3. Drugs and the Olympics
    Includes information about drugs, the bodies designed to catch those who use them and some of the known examples of drug usage, including at least a partial listing of atheletes caught using drugs.
    • Agencies :
      • Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority [ASADA]
        An absolute wealth of information on every aspect of doping in sports and attempts to prevent or catch this.
      • Court of Arbitration for Sport
        ‘The Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] is an institution independent of any sports organization which provides for services in order to facilitate the settlement of sports-related disputes through arbitration or mediation by means of procedural rules adapted to the specific needs of the sports world.’ Covers appeals against suspensions for drug-related offences as well as other areas.
      • World Anti-Doping Agency
        ‘Established on 10 November 1999 in Lausanne to promote and co-ordinate the fight against doping in sport internationally. WADA was set up as a foundation under the initiative of the IOC.’ A second site for information can be found at Wikipedia.
    • General Information :
      • Anti-Doping Glossary
        ‘WADA has produced a document including definitions of key WADA and anti-doping terminology.’ Download a .pdf copy of this.
      • Doping
        Covers all aspects of doping in sport including history, specific examples including the Olympics, various forms of doping, the reaction by various organisations and much more. From wikipedia.
      • Doping at the Olympic Games
        ‘The International Olympic Committee introduced the first doping controls at the Olympic Games in 1968. Here is the list of all the athletes disqualified from the Games for failing drug tests, with the indication of the withdrawn medal[s], if any.’
      • Doping in Sport
        While this covers a range of areas, it covers several related to the Olympics, including the use of strychnine in 1904, the use of benzedrine [suggested at the 1936 Berlin Olympics], testosterone and steroids in weightlifting as early as the 1950s, the case of East German athletes, the 2002 Winter Olympics and more. From wikipedia.
      • Prohibited List [Doping]
        Download a copy for the current year, a copy of the Monitoring Program, or a Summary of the Modifications which have been made. The previous year are also available. All are available in .pdf format.
      • Who Will Win The Drugs Race ?
        Science information from NOVA [Science in the News] from the Australian Academy of Science. This was done at the time of the Sydney Olympics but still has relevance. Provides information, a glossary, activities and several other Australian sites.
    • Specific Instances :
      • Ben Johnson
        Probably the most famous doping case until recent years. Covers the complete background to the discovery and the events that followed. Additional references and external links to further information. From wikipedia.
      • Marion Jones
        Covers her career, the use of drugs, other difficulties, achievements, notes, references and links to further information. You could also use this site for information in a briefer presentation.
  4. Famous Olympians
    A small collection of Olympians of note. Those included have not only gained outstanding achievement, but also made a lasting imprint because of who they are/were and what he/she did. Present day athletes have not been included as they will be covered in news around the time of the Olympics. They are broken into several sub-divisions,

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G - L

  1. General Sites & Portals :
    • An Olympic Games Primer
      A good, basic introduction to all aspects of the Olympics from the Ancient Games to the present. Developed by the LA84 Foundation.
    • Beijing 2008 [Yahoo7 Sports]
      Access general information, athlete information commentary and breaking news via this site.
    • BK Zone
      A site from the AOC directed specifically to children. It has a considerable range of material, well presented for the target group [BK - Boxing Kangaroo].
    • Educational Materials :
      • AFSSSE Australia-China Project
        [Beijing 2008 Olympic Games]
        ‘An exciting new set of resources has been produced by AFSSSE to support teaching about the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Four units for environment education, history and culture, economics and business, and geography are available now. The resource includes inquiry-based activities and resources enabling students in the middle years of schooling [Years 7-10] to develop a positive image of China and explore Australia’s relations with China. ’
      • Australia : …
        [The Games and the New Millennium]
        This is an example of what is possible for children. This is a site developed by Rochedale State School in Queensland, in conjunction with the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Can you aspire to this level of work ?
      • Education
        Access a range of education material and activities from the Australian Olympic Committee including the Studies Centre, a.s.p.i.r.e., Youth Olympic information, drug education programs and more.
      • Innovative Teaching
        These activities were designed to work with the 2004 Olympics. Some were very specific but many could be adapted for use with the 2008 games.
      • Olympic Education
        ‘Welcome to the a.s.p.i.r.e school network, the AOC’s national education program for primary educators. A range of exciting activities themed around the 2008 Olympic Games has been developed to support teachers in the classroom. The activities emphasise the a.s.p.i.r.e. values, literacy and numeracy skills, the use of information and communication technologies, active lifestyles and links with the community.’
      • Research Starters for the Olympic Games
        Created by Scholastic and covering all aspects of both Modern and Ancient Olympics.
      • Summer Olympics Legends
        Online Reading lessons, with an online book covering 5 famous Olympians [limited vocabulary] and provided lesson plans.
      • Thematic Units - The Olympics
        ‘You will find various Web Sites on the top portion of this page. Further down, you will find Lesson Plans. At the bottom of the page, you will find Books that you can order.’
      • The Olympics, Education Links
        A collection of annotated links to sites useful in the education area for work on the Olympics. A number of them are included on this page already.
    • International Olympic Truce Centre
      ‘At the dawn of the 21st century, the Olympic Truce once again calls upon humanity to lay down its weapons and to work towards building the foundations of peace, mutual respect, understanding and reconciliation. To that end in July 2000, the International Olympic Committee launches the International Olympic Truce Foundation and the International Olympic Truce Centre, new instruments of peace in our times.’
    • Interesting Olympic Facts
      Covers a variety of information from symbols through to diplomats, women’s involvement, counting Olympiads and more.
    • Journal E Olympic History
      A Kodak visual presentation of the Olympics.
    • Marcolympics
      One man’s collection, not only of information about each modern games, but even better, a significant range of images of tickets, programs, posters and other materials.
    • Olympic & Commonwealth Games
      Provides links and information for the Ancient Olympics, Modern Olympics, Australia at the Olympics, Australian Olympians, the Commonwealth Games and much more. An Australian compilation. It even includes a interactive tour of the venues and landmarks for the Beijing Olympics.
    • Olympic Games
      Information covering both Ancient and Modern games, their revival, problems, ceremonies, champions, host cities, medals, symbols, amateurism/professionalism and more. From wikipedia.
    • Olympic Games Links
      While the page may look a little unco-ordinated, there are a huge number of links to news, sports, history and Olympics Books.
    • Olympic Games Museum
      [Virtual Museum of Olympic Summer Games collector pieces, memorabilias, rare items and important facts and Information.]
      ‘On more than 350 pages featuring about 1 400 pictures, you can have a look at memorable moments of the Olympic Summer Games. The museums’s web page is not fully completed yet and is continually being worked on and extended.’
    • Olympic History Quizzes
      If you really think you know everything about the Olympics, try these fun quizzes. They may well be harder than you think. They cover Summer and Winter Games and Olympic History.
    • Olympics Timeline
      [From ancient Greece to the Present Day]
      Brief notes, with incorporated links to further information.
    • Olympic Watch
      The home page of a group who are using the Olympic Games as a way of striving to improve human rights in China.
  2. International Olympic Movement
    The governing body which runs the Olympics and all involved with this. It also includes information regarding the various Presidents of the IOC.
    • Members of The International Olympic Committee
      A listing of current members [name/country/since when/Olympic participation if any], as well as the original members, honorary members and some recent members.
    • Official Website of the Olympic Movement
      Access an absolute wealth of information, including the following :
      • Documents
        ‘The list of all documents published on [the International Olympics Committee] website. This section contains the major reports, studies, publications and information regarding the Olympic Movement.’
      • Memorabilia, Numismatics & Philately
        ‘Collecting items commemorating the Olympic Games is not a new phenomenon. In fact, it started with the first Games of the modern era in 1896.’ This is a very extensive collection to view.
      • Multimedia Gallery
        ‘Search the Multimedia gallery by selecting the type of media [images/audio and video] and then choose Hero, Sport or an edition of the Olympic Games.’
      • News
        ‘ Find all the news including events, press releases, publications and live results from sporting events.’
      • Olympic Education
        ‘The collective memory of past Games and the Olympic Movement.’ Includes activities, archives, library, information centre, images, sound, photographic service, grant program and more.
      • Olympic Records
        Download Olympic record details in .pdf format for a range of sports.
      • Organisation
        ‘The IOC guarantees the promotion of Olympism and the smooth running of the Games in accordance with the Olympic Charter. Discover in detail the structures, missions and financing of this prominent institution.’
      • Podcasts/Vodcasts
        Also has RSS feeds.
    • Olympic Museum, Lausanne
      ‘Discover the Olympic Museum with its wealth of memories which will keep your passion for Olympism burning.’
    • Presidents of the International Olympic Committee
      Background information on each of the eight Presidents of the IOC since 1894.

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M - R

  1. Mascots & Olympic Symbols
    Symbols include the Olympic Rings and other logos. Mascots have only been used since the Winter Olympics in 1968 and the Summer Olympics of 1972. Other symbols include the Oath, the Torch Relay, the Flag and various ceremonies.
    • Mascots :
      • Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
        [The Official Mascots]
        ‘Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China’s most popular animals — the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow — and the Olympic Flame.’
      • Olympic Committee - Mascots
        This is part of their Collectibles site which also allows you to find information on pins, memorabilia, mascots and more. Each mascot has a link to further information including technical data including what they were used as e.g. models, pins, etc..
      • Olympic Mascot
        Provides images and text about the mascots for the summer Olympics.
    • Olympic Oath
      What it is, its history and a listing of those who have taken it on behalf of both athletes and judges.
    • Olympic Summer Games Emblems
      Lists all those since their inception in 1932, with a clear graphic and relevant information and goes on to London 2012. There is also a link to the Olympic Winter Games Emblems as well, ranging from 1932 to 2010.
    • Olympic Symbols [1]
      ‘The Olympic symbols are the icons, flags and symbols used by the International Olympic Committee to promote the Olympic Movement.’ As well as information on the various symbols, it also a listing of mascots from the 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics on, with links to further information and images. Note the link about “Fatso”, the unofficial mascot for the Sydney Games. From wikipedia.
    • Olympic Symbols, The [2]
      A downloadable .pdf document from the Olympic Organisation which covers both general information, and specific information on the rings, the motto and the flame, as well as their role in the culture of The Olympics.
    • Olympic Torch Relay 2008
      A collection of links by Mahalo. They include sections on news about the relay, the protests, blogs and links to other sources of information. Check the Fast Facts and Guide Notes as well as other information.
    • The Olympic Rings
      A brief but complete answer about what they mean. From wikianswers.
    • Torch Relay
      [Beijing 2008]
      Not only provides all details of this Torch Relay but also information on the traditions of the relay, its themes and other information about the Modern Olympic Torch Relay.
  2. Medal Winners
    Find who won what and when. Be aware some athletes have lost their medals as a result of drug or other scandals.
    • DatabaseOlympics
      ‘DatabaseOlympics.com is your source for every Summer and Winter Olympics medal winner’ of the Modern Olympics.
    • Olympic Games Medallists
      ‘This compilation includes a complete list of medallists in all sports [those no longer on the programme are in italics]. In 1896 and 1900 winners were awarded Silver medals and runners-up Copper or Bronze medals [with no awards for third], however are still shown as Gold, Silver and Bronze medallists for consistency with later years. The status of many events held in 1900 and 1904 is questionable.’
    • Olympic Medal Winners
      From the IOC. Search by name or access the complete database. You can also access profiles of 300+ athletes, including a number of Australians. These are available in alphabetic groupings.
  3. Media
    A surprising number of movies and television programs have been made related to the Olympics. Every day information and broadcasts of the games themselves have, in general, not been included in this section. Only title and very brief descriptors are provided for individual media.
    • Internet Movie Database
      Enter ‘The Games’ in the search box and you will come up with a list of possibilities, some of which are irrelevant, others on specific games of different Olympiads. These are usually television series.
    • Olympic Television Archive Bureau
      ‘The Olympic Television Archive Bureau has over 30 000 hours of the most sensational sports footage ever seen, uniquely available in one library.’ Fee-based.
    • Chariots of Fire
      ‘Chariots of Fire is a film that has been forgotten in many ways and that's a shame because of the sheer nature of its culturally nutritious message in the form of demonstrating the triumph of the human spirit.’
    • Cool Runnings
      ‘Inspired by the true story of the first Jamaican Olympic Bobsled Team.’
    • Downhill Racer
      A skier at the Winter Olympics.
    • Fists of Freedom
      ‘Documentary leading up to, during and after the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City.’
    • Miracle on Ice
      ‘How the U.S. Olympic hockey team beat the Soviets at the 1980 Lake Placid Games.’ Made for television.
    • Munich
      Traces the follow up to the Munich Olympic Games massacre.
    • Olympia 1 Teil - Fest der Völker
      ‘The document of the 1936 Olympics at Berlin, orchestrated as Nazi propaganda.’ Leni Riefenstahl. Also check this site.
    • The Cutting Edge
      Suggested the ‘Taming of the Shrew’ on ice could be another name. Skating movie.
    • The Games [1]
      ‘Four marathon runners [one from England, one from the U.S., a Czech and an Australian Aborigine] prepare to run in the Olympic games.’
    • The Games [2]
      ‘This is a mischievious Australian, deadpan comedy, which takes a satirical look at the bureaucrats as they orchestrate the extravaganza that will be the 2000 Olympic Games.’ Made for television by the ABC.
      Highly Recommended !
  4. Modern Olympics
    Also check other sections on this page for information about the modern Games.
    • About the Sydney 2000 Games
      A significant archival database of all things to do with the Sydney Olympics, which has been collated and provided via links on this page.
    • A History of the Olympics
      Information provided on separate pages, about each of the modern Olympics.
    • Olympic Games since 1986
      Covers both summer and winter games. Choose a date/city and find a wealth of information including athletes, emblems, medals, posters, torch, applicants, highlights, special features [see a unique one for Melbourne 1956] and much more.
    • Summer Olympics Through The Years
      Find information on sports, medal winners, standings as well as general information for all summer Olympics. Also information on all-time medal winners in various groupings and all-time Medal Standings.
  5. Paralympics & Paralympians
    The Olympics for those with disabilities. For scandals regarding this, see the ‘Scandals’ section below. Some paralympians have been included in the list of Olympians provided above.
    • For information on the Australian Paralympic Committee see the first section of this page.
    • International Paralympic Committee
      Includes information on the games, sports, athletes, rules, classification, education, development, hall of fame and more.
      • Anti-Doping
        Includes specific programs, education, documents & forms and sanctioned athletes.
      • Classification
        Covers how athletes are classified and provides information about their groupings.
      • Education Programmes
      • Hall of Fame
        ‘The Paralympic Hall of Fame will ensure that a permanent record and institutional memory is kept of top Paralympic athletes and coaches of all time.’

        • Includes Paralympic School Day, PG Education, other programs and a range of resources.
      • Paralympic Games
        Provides information about Beijing, Vancouver, London and Sochi Games, information about past games, applicant cities for 2016 and the principles behind the games.
      • Sports
        Covers the range of sports, their organisers, rules, regulations, rankings, records, results and various competitions.
    • TPEP
      [Telstra Paralympic Education Program]
      ‘The Telstra Paralympic Education Program has been designed to provide a range of learning experiences for middle/upper primary school students nationally through Paralympic sport, culture and associated themes. There are two main components of Telstra Paralympic Education Program : a Teaching resource [and the] Athlete Correspondence Program.’

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S - Z

  1. Sites of the Modern Olympcs
    Includes information about the sites of the modern Olympics so far, views of the various stadia, and information regarding future games and applicants.
    • Beijing 2008
      This is the official site for the summer Olympic Games being held this year. It contains information on everything from sports and venues to a fun page and every other conceivable aspect.
    • London 2012
      The home page for 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
    • Candidate Cities for Future Olympic Games
      ‘This is a list of potential candidate cities for future Olympic Games, and other Olympic-Related games. Some have been confirmed and have official websites, most are either rumours or cities that are contemplating.’ Extends as far ahead as 2024.
    • GamesBids
      ‘The purpose of our publication is to keep readers independently informed and up-to-date with information about the Olympic Bid process and candidate city bids from around the world. Bids have a major impact on the future of the bid cities and it is important that everyone be informed and involved.’
    • Olympic Stadiums
      See a number of stadiums used for Olympic Games, as they are viewed by satellites [Google images]. Clearly presented based on those reviewed.
  2. The Bumpy Road to The Olympics
    [Boycotts, Scandals, Obstacles & Disasters]
    This does not include those related to drug use, which you will find in the first section of links above.
    • Boycotts :
      • 1976 : African Countries Boycott Olympics
        ‘The International Olympic Committee’s refusal to ban New Zealand, whose rugby team was currently touring South Africa, [ ] resulted in the boycott’ and led to the withdrawal of 25 African nations.
      • American-led Boycott, 1980 Summer Olympics
        ‘The American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow was a part of a package of actions to protest against the December 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.’ An alternative event called the Liberty Bell Classic was held in Philadelphia, USA.
      • Olympic Boycott Games
        ‘Alternative events were arranged for those nations boycotting the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games.’ The results for each of these games are provided here.
      • Soviet-led Boycott, 1984 Summer Olympics
        This ‘followed the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.’ 14 Eastern Bloc countries boycotted the games. A separate games, called the Druzhba [Friendship] Games were held by this group.
    • Cancelled Games :
      • 1916 Summer Olympics
        Basic information regarding these games, which did not go ahead because of World War I. Originally to have been held in Berlin. The organisation of the games continued for some time as it was not believed the war would last that long.
      • 1940 Summer Olympics
        Basic information regarding these games, which did not go ahead because of World War II. Originally to have been held in Tokyo, they were transferred to Helsinki before being cancelled.
      • 1944 Summer Olympics
        Basic information regarding these games, which did not go ahead because of World War II. Originally to have been held in London, which gained the 1948 games without an election being held.
    • Civil Disobedience
      [Black medallists raise fists for Civil Rights Movement]
      ‘The photographs of two black American sprinters standing on the medal podium with heads bowed and fists raised at the Mexico City Games in 1968 not only represent one of the most memorable moments in Olympic history but a milestone in America’s civil rights movement.’
    • Cheating at the Paralympic Games
      ‘Cheating at the Paralympic Games has caused scandals that have significantly changed the way in which the International Paralympic Committee run the events. Testing for performance-enhancing drugs has become stricter and more widespread throughout the Games, with powerlifting seeing the most positive results. Competitors without disabilities have also competed in some Paralympic Games.’
    • Munich Massacre
      ‘The Munich massacre occurred during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, when members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage by Black September. By the end of the ordeal, the terrorist group had murdered eleven Israeli athletes and coaches and one German police officer. Five of the eight terrorists were killed by police officers during an abortive rescue attempt.’
    • Olympics Flashback : 1904 Marathon
      Strychnine, travelling by car, some chased away from the race by dogs, and this was only part of the fiasco. Another site covering the same topic is Olympic Follies, sub-titled ‘Amateur glory of Olympics in the early twentieth century upheld in wacky marathon.’
    • Olympic Torch Protest [2008]
      Covers news, online video and several links to additional sources. It is planned for the site to be expanded over the coming months. From Mahalo.
    • Timeline : Olympics Corruption Scandal
      Covers the 2002 corruption process in particular as well as suggestions of unfair practices in other application processes.
    • Winter Olympic Bid Scandal 2002
      Extensive details covering this, from previous unsuccessful bids on, with links to further information. From wikipedia.
  3. Winter Olympics
    Includes information regarding the Winter Olympics, which started some 30 years after the summer Olympics, and were originally held in the same year. This was until 1994 when they moved to the midpoint between summer Olympic Games.
    • Vancouver 2010
      [Spread the Games Spirit]
      The home page for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Covers areas including Organising Committee, Culture & Education, Participation, The Winter Games and a lot of organisational information at this time in their preparation.
    • Educational Material :
      • Olympic Winter Games
        This educational process, developed by Scholastic, was developed around the Torino Games of 2006 and shows the sort of things that can be done. A similar site, providing a range of activities with all resources, can also be found at edHelper, and is called Winter 2006 Olympics Theme Unit.
      • Winter Olympics Colouring Book
        A series of colouring pages that cover the major disciplines from the Winter Olympics. Also has links to other resources. Originally designed for Homeschooling.
    • History of Winter Olympics
      A reasonably brief article covering this.
    • Winter Olympic Games [1]
      Covers the history of the games and predicts into the future, looks at the various sports, including discontinued sports, lists the various Winter Games, includes links to further information and more. From wikipedia.
    • Winter Olympic Games [2]
      [The Unofficial Blog That Follows the Winter Olympics]
      Covers the official information, event schedule and ‘Watch the Olympics’.
    • Winter Olympics Through The Years
      Find information on sports, medal winners, standings as well as general information on summer Olympics. Also information on all-time medal winners in various groupings and all-time Medal Standings.

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