Olympics: Latest News, and Insights

The ultimate celebration of sporting excellence, the Olympic Games.  With Sportsboom, you have access to all of the latest Olympics news, updates and exclusive interviews – content worthy of and tailored for the complete sports fan!

Whilst the Olympics come around once every four years, we intend to celebrate it properly once it is here! delve into the heart of sport’s greatest event, from its inception to the cultural showpiece we have today – we have everything you need to satisfy your Olympic urges.

The Ancient Olympic Games

Created as an ode to the Greek God Zeus, the ancient games were a sporting festival dating back to 776 BC!

Today, the Olympics is without question, the world’s greatest sporting event. A global sporting spectacle which brings together almost every nation on earth. Going beyond the sporting realm, the Olympics has seen its influence extend to the social and cultural norm of our modern society.

The Olympic Movement 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was formulated and tasked with managing the modern games. Founded in 1894, the IOC ensures that the essence of the games isn’t lost and that the relationships between participating states is honoured.

The Olympic Charter outlines the rules, regulations and expectations of the IOC. It is essentially a codified document which ensures the IOC’s continuity. 

Through this Charter, the Olympics ensure that participating states observe the values of excellence in their participation, friendship within the global community and respect of all people involved in making the games a true spectacle. 

Olympic Sports

The IOC often reviews which sports are included in the various games (summer and winter) however you can expect to find the following; Aquatics, Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing/Kayaking, Hockey, Judo and break-dancing amongst others.

The Winter Olympic lineup can often change and adapt, but some of the main features at the winter edition include, Alpine Skiing, Bobsleigh, Curling and the various forms of skating. 

Legendary Olympians

The Olympics have produced some of the biggest names in the world of sport. Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps and Jesse Owens are but just a few of those upon whom we have knighted as ‘legendary’. 

Usain Bolt

The name Usain Bolt is inseparable with the Olympics and the athletics track. Often seen as one of the greatest athletes to ever walk the planet, Bolt absolutely dominated the athletics track for the better part of a decade. 

Holding the current world record for the 100m sprint – running it in 9.58 seconds – as well as the 200m – running that in 19.19 seconds – he is rightly referred to as ‘The fastest man alive’. 

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps has earned a monumental 28 Olympic medals, of which 23 are gold! There are very few, if any, that come close to what he has done in the swimming pool. Phelps holds the Olympic record for the most number of Olympic medals, and for the most number of Olympic gold medals. 

He has been an incredible ambassador, not only for the sport of swimming, but for his country as well. 

Simone Biles

In a relatively short space of time Simone Biles has become a global phenomenon. Through the most beautiful marriage of skill, resilience and dynamic routines, Biles has not only developed gymnastics, she has made it relevant to a modern audience. 

She has also become a testament to mental toughness given her experiences, which have mainly been unpacked in the public eye. 

Carl Lewis

Carl Lewis is without question one of the very best sprinters and long jumpers to grace the Olympic games. He became an almost instant sensation through his winning 9 gold medals, but moreover, setting a world record in both the 100m sprint and at the long jump pit.

Jesse Owens

Jesse Owens was an incredible Olympic athlete, but it widely recognise for his refusal and defiance against Nazi propaganda and the idea of an Aryan superiority. Furthermore, the political activist managed to claim four gold medals at a single games and in so doing, ensured that he would forever be counted amongst the very best athletes in the world. 

The Future and Evolution of the Olympic Games

The evolution of the games is one which captures the imagination of sports fans and historians alike. Developing from a celebration of sport and recreation in Greece, the games are now a political mirror of our modern society, a cultural celebration of people from all over the globe and a stage which showcases the heights the human body can reach through sporting excellence.

The Impact of Technology on the Olympics

Technology has had an often subtle, but incredibly important role to play at the Olympic games. Through its introduction into the officiating of events, it has essentially seen an increase in competition. It has allowed for more of a spectacle, complete with all the bells and whistles which inevitably give the fans an enhanced and memorable experience. It has also aided in ensuring the safety of all people involved with the event. Technology has also allowed for the games to be packaged and broadcasted around the globe for a truly universal experience. This essentially ensures that the games remain relevant for a diverse community and audience. 

The Challenges and Opportunities for Future Games

As our global society continues to grow and develop, the Olympic games will have to follow suit. It will need to acknowledge further technological advancements and ensure its openness to further inclusion isn’t lost. 

The games must navigate geopolitical tensions around the world to ensure that while it often errs on the side of political correctness, it continues to stand as a beacon for total inclusivity and tolerance. 

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