Summer Olympic Games
The first Summer Olympic Games (also known as the Games of the Olympiad) were held in 1896 in Athens, Greece, and featured 42 competitions with fewer than 250 male athletes.
Today, there are over 300 events with more than 11,000 competitors (male and female) from 206 countries. Since its inception, the Summer Games have been hosted by the United States four times, three times by Great Britain, and twice by Greece, France, Germany, and Australia.
The United States leads with the all-time medal count for the Summer Olympics with over 2,500 medals (Russia follows in second with just over 1,500).
First Summer Olympic Games: 1896 (Athens, Greece)
Most popular Summer Olympic Games sports:
- Category A (athletics, aquatics, and gymnastics)
- Category B (basketball, cycling, football, tennis, volleyball)
- Category C (archery, badminton, boxing, judo, rowing, shooting, table tennis, weightlifting)
Athletes with the most Summer Olympic Games medals:
- Michael Phelps (swimming) — 28 medals
- Larisa Latynina (gymnastics) — 18 medals
- Nikolai Andrianov (gymnastics) — 13 medals
- Boris Shakhlin (gymnastics) — 13 medals
- Edoardo Mangiarotti (fencing) — 13 medals
- Takashi Ono (gymnastics) — 13 medals
When is the next Summer Olympics? The 2024 Summer Olympics will be held in Paris, France, followed by the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
Latest Summer Olympic Games News and Updates
Kawhi Leonard Pulls out of Team USA Ahead of 2024 Summer Olympic Games
USA Basketball revealed that Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers determined it was in Kawhi's "best interest" to withdraw from the Olympics.Gymnasts Can Do the Impossible — Some Do It With the Help of a Sock
Gymnasts can do anything. But sometimes, they need a little help from their socks. We explain why.Cameron Brink May Not Play in the 2024 Olympics, but She Has a Gold Medal in Love
Cameron Brink may not be playing in the 2024 Olympics due to an injury, but she and her boyfriend are stronger than ever.Distracted With... Sunny Choi (EXCLUSIVE)
"It's OK to mess up, it's OK if you drop an egg because you can just learn and move on with your life."Jade Carey's Parents Have Coached Her for the Olympics Since She Was Little
Both of Jade's parents are gymnastic coaches, and Danielle currently runs the USA Youth Fitness Center in Gilbert, Ariz.Suni Lee Qualifies for 2024 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team Despite Health Challenges
In 2023, Suni Lee found out she suffers from an incurable kidney disease, per 'TODAY'.Olympic Athletes Can Get Paid for Their Remarkable Athleticism, but It's Usually Not Much
In April 2024, World Athletics made history by becoming the first international federation to offer prize money at the Olympic Games.Simone Biles on 2020 Tokyo Olympics: "I Thought I Was Going to Be Banned From America"
"I thought I was going to be banned from America," Simone Biles said in April 2024. "They tell you: 'Don't come back if it's not gold.'"Soccer Star Alex Morgan Will Not Compete for Team USA at the Summer Games — Here's Why
“Today, I’m disappointed about not having the opportunity to represent our country on the Olympic stage," Alex tweeted.Running a Steeplechase Gets Athletes a Bit Wet — What's the Deal With the Pit?
The mysterious steeplechase rattles fans every Olympics. Would you go running through the puddle to secure a gold medal?Equestrian Competitor Georgie Campbell Dies at 37 Years Old — Her Husband Jesse Survives Her
Georgie Campbell and her husband, Jesse Campbell, were an equestrian love story … until Georgie’s tragic death.Why Did Olympic Gymnast Gabby Douglas Retire — Or Did She?
"I love gymnastics and love pushing myself. I never wanted to walk away on a bad day."Who Are Oscar Pistorius's Parents? A Look at the Convicted Murderer's Family
With Olympian-turned-murderer Oscar Pistorius out of prison, people are curious to know: Who are his parents, Henke and Sheila? Details ahead.Olympic Athlete Helen Smart Passed Away at 42 Years Old—Her Family Is Left in the Dark
What was Helen Smart’s cause of death? The Olympic swimmer turned headteacher suddenly died in her sleep at 42 years old in August 2023.Jim Thorpe Was an All-Time Great Olympian Who Was Stripped of Two Gold Medals
Jim Thorpe is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes to ever compete at the Olympics, so why was he stripped of his medals?The Real Reason Why Bob Costas Isn't Hosting Olympic Coverage This Year
Why is Bob Costas not covering the Olympics this year? Meet the new Olympics commentators who are taking his place.Find out the Symbolic Meaning Behind the Iconic Olympic Rings
What is the meaning behind the iconic Olympic rings? Find out who created the symbolic image and what the five rings actually stand for.What Country Is ROC in the Olympics? Athletes From Banned Country Compete
The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games revealed a country called ROC, but what country is ROC? And why was their previous country banned?Rival Olympians Kim Meylemans and Nicole Silveira Are Dating! Inside Their Love Life
Are Kim Meylemans and Nicole Silveira dating? Here's a look inside the Winter Olympians' relationship and skeleton rivalry.Are the Paralympics Airing on TV? Here's How You Can Watch the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
Are you as excited for the Paralympic Games as the Olympic Games? Like the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be broadcast.Paralympic Triathlete Melissa Stockwell Talks Mental Health: "The Pressure Is There" (EXCLUSIVE)
Paralympic Triathlete Melissa Stockwell spoke exclusively with 'Distractify' about facing pressure as an athlete and overcoming her back injury.B-Boys Talk Culture and the Significance of Breakdancing in the 2024 Summer Olympics (EXCLUSIVE)
'Distractify' spoke exclusively with b-boys RoxRite and Ronnie about breakdancing being named an Olympic sport at the 2024 Paris Games.What Happened to Olympic Horse Saint Boy? Foul Play at the Pentathlon
The Summer Olympic Games have their fair share of scandals, and what happened to Olympic horse Saint Boy qualifies. Here's what we know about the situation.The Most Decorated Track Athlete, Allyson Felix, Reflects on How She's "Completely Evolved" (EXCLUSIVE)
The most decorated track and field athlete, Allyson Felix, spoke exclusively with 'Distractify' about how she has "completely evolved" and found her voice.If You’re Wondering Why MLB Players Aren’t in the Olympics, Here’s Why: $$$
Why can't MLB players play baseball in the Olympic Games? The reason is a lot simpler than you're thinking. Like most things, it comes down to money.No, Team USA Doesn’t Stink at Basketball — the World’s Just Catching Up
Why is Team USA not dominating the Olympic Games the way many fans are used to seeing in international play? Are they really that bad?There's a Strategic Reason Why Race Walkers Wiggle Their Hips
If you happen to catch a speed-walking race, you might be wondering why the race walkers walk that way. Here's what to know about their wiggles.Olympian Allyson Felix Has Her Own Shoe, Saysh One — Here's How to Get It
Olympic track and field champion Allyson Felix launched her own brand, Saysh, ahead of the Olympics. Here's how to buy the Saysh One sneaker.Athletes Alix Klineman and Teddy Purcell Got Engaged Shortly Before the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games
Alix Klineman is a beach volleyball player for Team USA, and she's now officially a gold medalist. Outside of the sport, Alix is set to get married.Soccer Star Carli Lloyd Opens up About Reconnecting With Her Estranged Family After 12 Years
Soccer superstar Carli Lloyd opens up about reconnecting with her estranged family after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics got postponed. Details.What Country at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics Is Abbreviated SUI?
Many fans tuning into the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics wanted to know what country's abbreviation is SUI. Read here to find out why SUI is Switzerland.Mondo Duplantis Competes for Sweden Because the Country Really, Really Wanted Him
Mondo Duplantis was born in Lafayette, La., so why does the pole vaulting prodigy compete for Sweden? The answer is actually pretty interesting.Olympic Medalist Raven Saunders' Mom Passed Away Days After Her Win
U.S. Olympian Raven Saunders just won a silver medal in shot put, but what happened to her mom? Here's what we know about the situation.Haunting Photos of Abandoned Olympic Stadiums
In just a couple of years, Olympic venues turn from bustling hubs of activity to decrepit wastelands.No, It's Not a Fashion Statement: Here's Why Olympic Divers Wear Tape
Viewers of the Summer Games are curious why Olympic divers wear tape. What exactly does it do? Plus, why do divers use such tiny towels? Details.Volleyball Players Celebrate After Every Point for Two Reasons
If you've been watching a lot of volleyball in the Olympics, then you've probably seen a bunch of hugging. Why do players celebrate after every point?Olympic Baseball Has a Few Noticeable Changes From the Game We All Know and Love
Although many recognize baseball as being as American as sports get, it has taken the world stage at the Olympics. How many innings are in a game?Why Do Fencers Bend Their Swords? Historical Context Is Key
Fencing is one of the most ancient sports, and many Summer Olympics viewers are wondering why fencers bend their swords. Here's what we know.Why Do Olympic Swimmers Slap Themselves and Splash Water Before Swimming?
Why do swimmers slap themselves before swimming? Why do they splash water? Why do they put on two swim caps? Get answers to your swimming questions.Those Funny-Looking Water Polo Caps Serve an Important Purpose
Why do they wear hats in water polo? The funny-looking caps actually serve an important purpose, given the rigors of the sport. Read more here.Paralympic Swimmer Jessica Long Shares Her Adoption Story in Toyota’s “Upstream” Ad
Who is the swimmer in the Toyota commercial? The ad shows the life story of Paralympic champion Jessica Long, who has 35 medals to her name.The Cost to Compete in Olympic Dressage Is Higher Than You Think
The Summer Olympics equestrian team is filled with beautiful horses, but how much does an Olympic horse competing in dressage cost?Racewalking Is Not the Weirdest Sport to Have Ever Been at the Olympics
While many are baffled that racewalking is an official Olympic Sport, there are actually plenty of others that were the weirdest in history.Sydney McLaughlin and Her Former NFL Player Boyfriend Share a Love for Sports and Spirituality
Does Sydney McLaughlin have a boyfriend? Who are her parents? Here's what we know about the Olympic track star who just broke a world record.BMX Bikes May Be Small, but There's a Good Reason for It
Watching the 2020 Olympics is leaving lots of fans with questions they may have never considered before, including: Why are BMX bikes so small?Are Olympic Diving Pools Really as Deep as the Length of a School Bus?
Ever wondered how deep the diving pools in the Olympics are? They are way deeper than your traditional swimming pool. We have the answers you need.The Real Reason the Netherlands' Athletes Wear Orange at the Olympics Is Quite Interesting
If you aren't familiar with Dutch cultural norms, then you may have asked yourself: Why does the Netherlands wear orange at sporting events?Gymnasts Rely on a Range of Tricks to Reduce Friction on Uneven Bars — Some of Which Involve Molasses
Why do gymnasts spray the uneven bars? What substances do they use? Here's what you should know about the common practice many Olympians rely on.The Reason That Rory McIlroy Isn't Wearing a Hat at the Olympics Is Pretty Hilarious
Why is Rory McIlroy playing for Ireland? Find out the real reason why the unpatriotic golf player isn't wearing his hat at the 2020 Summer Olympics.Horse Enthusiasts Claim Dressage Is Either the Best or Worst Sport in the World
Experts seem to be divided on this one Olympic sport: dressage. Does it hurt the horses involved? Here's what you need to know about the equestrian sport.
