Sports that Have Been in All of the Olympics

Up until Rio 2016, there have been 28 Olympic Games. In fact, there are some sports that have been present in all of the Olympics.

The modern Olympic Games started in 1896, and happen every four years, except during the world wars. The next Olympics in Tokyo will be number 29! In fact, there are sports that have been in all of the Olympics. Find out what they are in this article.

What sports have been in all of the Olympics?

Since the inauguration of the modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, there have been 28 editions of the best world competition. These are the sports that have been in all of them:

1. Track and field

Of course, this is the quintessential Olympic sport. In fact, it’s also one of the oldest in the world since they played them in the ancient Greek games. Because of this, they’re number one on our list.

With an average of 33 competitions for each game, track and field covers multiple disciplines grouped into: track events, field events and combined events. All of them are held on a special track or stadium, outdoors, with measures determined by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

2. Swimming

Swimming is another sport that’s been in all of the Olympics. On average, there are 22 events. The International Swimming Federation regulates them. In addition, they can happen in a closed pool- 164 feet long by 82 feet wide- or in open water.

3. Fencing

The number of events for each Olympic Games is lower. On average there are seven, but lately there have been ten. However, it’s been in every Olympics since 1896. In fact, they added a women’s category in 1924.

In this sport, two opponents face each other, protected with a net mask. Their mission is to touch each other with a white weapon. In fact, it can be a saber, a sword or a foil. Technology and safety make fencing accidents almost nonexistent.

4. Sports in all of the Olympics: artistic gymnastics

Artistic gymnastics also makes the list of sports in all of the Olympics. However, in 1900, it was only for exhibition. Since 1960, there have been 14 events per game, which the International Gymnastics Federation endorse.

Until 1948, artistic gymnastics and athletic gymnastics were a group. Competitors also had to run, jump high, climb ropes and do balance exercises. Also, women’s gymnastics started in 1928.

Currently, the main events are uneven bars, balance beam, floor and vault for women. For men, there are rings, pommel horse, parallel bars, horizontal bar, vault, uneven bars and balance beam.

Sports that have been in almost all of the Olympics

Since they only missed one Olympic Games, we think these sports are also worth highlighting:

1. Cycling track

In fact, this sport only missed the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. Today, cycling track participates in more than 30 events per game.

2. Martial arts

This wasn’t in the 1900 Olympics in Paris. However, since the next game, there have been about 18 events in each game.

3. Rowing

Rowing only missed the 1896 Olympic Games. From 1900, it’s been in every single one. Since Montreal in 1976, there are 14 events.

With only two absences, the high jump (absent in the first two Olympics), water polo (it wasn’t in Athens 1896 or Athens 1906), soccer, (didn’t participate in Athens) also stand out. In addition, sport shooting wasn’t in the 1904 or 1928 Olympics.

The history of the Olympic Games is truly fascinating, and each one has given us even more to tell. The history of the sports that have been in all of the Olympics is especially interesting!