The Modern Olympics were first held in Athens in 1896 and were meant to be a revival of the Olympic Games that were held in Ancient Greece 2000 years earlier.They are held every 4 years in different cities around the world and have become the largest sporting event on Earth.Cities that have held the Olympics include Paris, Rome, Los Angeles, Sydney, Seoul, Barcelona and Mexico City.

Here we will tell you about some of the events that will be at the London Olympics, but first you have the chance to try and guess which sport we are acting out.

FencingFencing has been an Olympic sport since 1896, and originates from old sword duels to the death. No one is killed in fencing because the swords (or foils) aren’t sharp and competitors wear protective armour all over their bodies.There are 3 disciplines in fencing; Foil, Epee and Sabre and Italy has been the most successful nation with 45 gold medals.

EquestrianEquestrian has three disciplines;

Jumping, dressage and eventing and is the only Olympic event that includes an animal. The horse is considered as much an athlete as the rider. It is also the only Olympic even where both men and women compete against each other.It has been an Olympic event since 1900 and Germany has been the most successful nation, winning 21 gold medals.

PentathlonThe Modern Pentathlon comprises of 5 different sports and is meant to simulate the experiences of a soldier in the 19th century. Competitors compete in fencing, pistol shooting, show jumping, a 200 metre swim and a 3 kilometre run. Competitors gain points for each event with the most points winning the gold medal. The pentathlon has been an Olympic event since 1912.

Judo

Judo is a combat sport, where competitors try to take each other to the ground using leg trips. It has been an Olympic sport since the 1964 Tokyo games, but women weren’t allowed to compete until 1992.The sport originated in Japan and it is no surprise they have the most gold medals with 35.

Handball

Handball is similar to futsal, but instead of kicking the ball, competitors use their hands to throw it. The sport is popular in Europe and South Korea is the only non-European country to win any medal with one silver.It has been played at the Olympics since 1972 with Russia, Yugoslavia, and the Soviet Union all having won 2 gold medals.

Weightlifting

Weightlifting is a test of strength where the person who can lift the most weight above their head winning.It has been an Olympic event since 1920 and its competitors must complete lifts in the Snatch and Clean & Jerk sections. The Soviet Union has the most gold with 39, and Thailand has managed to win 3 gold and 3 bronze.

BoxingBoxing is one of the oldest Olympic sports and can trace it’s origins back to the ancient games of Greece. Two competitors stand in a ring and try to punch each other. The one who punches the other the most is the winner.There are currently 11 weight classes in Olympic boxing with the USA winning the most gold medals with 48.

RowingRowing has been part of the Olympic program since 1900. Events have 1, 2, 4 or 8 rowers in each boat and race over a 2 kilometre course.Although the largest boats today only hold 8 rowers, in 1906 the Naval Teams event had 17 rowers in each boat!East Germany has been the most successful rowing nation with 33 gold. Great Britain isn’t far behind with 24.

AthleticsThe Olympics are best known for the Athletics and the 100 metre men’s final is usually the most watched event in the Olympics. Athletics includes track events which are the running races, and field events, which are events like long jump, shot put, and pole vaulting.The USA has easily been the most successful country in Athletics with a whopping 311 gold medals. The Soviet Union is 2nd with only 64.

Synchronized Swimming

Many people think Synchronized Swimming shouldn’t be an Olympic event as they say it is just dancing in water, but it is one of the most difficult events to compete in.Teams of swimmers must perform a 5 minute routine in time with each other.Russia, the USA and Japan have dominated the event, winning most of the medals between them.

On July 27th, the 30th Olympics will start in London when it will become the first city to hold the games on three different occasions!

197 countries will compete for around 4,700 gold, silver and bronze medals in 26 different sports.

The Olympics aren’t just about winning, they are also about all the world’s nations coming together in celebration of human achievement and determination. Most athletes have trained their whole lives to compete in London and are already the best in their own countries.

Will you be trying to compete in the Olympics one day?