Politics And The Olympics Quiz

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Quizzes Created: 34 | Total Attempts: 87,824

Questions: 10 | Attempts: 317 | Updated: Nov 29, 2023

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Politics have always played a role in the Olympics, and London 2012 is no different. Test your knowledge of key political events in Olympic history. Tailored for sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone intrigued by the dynamic relationship between global politics and the world's foremost sporting event, this quiz delves into the controversies, triumphs, and complexities that define the Olympic Games.

Challenge yourself with thought-provoking questions that span historical moments, diplomatic implications, and the evolving role of politics in shaping the Games. Whether you're a fervent follower of the Olympics or a curious mind eager to test your knowledge, Read morethis quiz provides an engaging platform to unravel the fascinating connections between politics and international sportsmanship.

From boycotts to geopolitical tensions, each question is crafted to enhance your understanding of the multifaceted nature of the Olympics. Take the Politics and the Olympics Quiz and enrich your appreciation for the global stage where sport and politics intersect.

Questions and Answers

1.

At the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Adolf Hitler hoped to prove his theories of Aryan racial superiority. Eighteen black athletes represented the United States at the Games. Which athlete is widely credited with proving Hitler wrong?
- A.
  
  Cornelius Johnson
- B.
  
  Jesse Owens
- C.
  
  Archie Williams
Correct Answer
B. Jesse Owens

Explanation
Alabama native Jesse Owens captured four gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay and the long jump and became the hero of the Olympics. In the long jump he leaped 26 feet 5-1/2 inches, an Olympic record. He also struck up a friendship with Luz Long, his German rival.

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2.

San Jose State students Tommie Smith and John Carlos, both track athletes, became famous at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City for:
- A.
  
  Flashing a peace symbol to protest the Vietnam War
- B.
  
  Refusing to wear their medals
- C.
  
  Raising their fists in a Black Power salute
Correct Answer
C. Raising their fists in a Black Power salute

Explanation
Smith and Carlos won the gold and bronze medals in the 200 meters at the Games. During the medal ceremony, both raised a black-gloved fist as the National Anthem played. They did not wear shoes, symbolizing the poverty of African-Americans. They were expelled from the Olympic Village, suspended from the national team and sent home to the United States. A statue of Smith and Carlos raising their fists was installed at San Jose State in 2005.

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3.

Why did the the United States boycott the 1980 Olympics in Moscow?
- A.
  
  To protest the Soviet Union's support of Sandanistas in Nicaragua
- B.
  
  To protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan
- C.
  
  Because of escalating nuclear tensions between the two countries
Correct Answer
B. To protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan

Explanation
The United States boycotted the 1980 Olympics in Moscow to protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. The Soviet Union's military intervention in Afghanistan was seen as a violation of international law and a threat to global peace and stability. The United States, along with several other countries, decided to boycott the Olympics as a way to express their disapproval of the Soviet Union's actions and to put pressure on them to withdraw from Afghanistan. This boycott was a political statement and a means of showing solidarity with Afghanistan and opposition to Soviet aggression.

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4.

Which countries competed in the water polo event that came to be known as the "Blood in the Water" match during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics?
- A.
  
  Hungary vs. Germany
- B.
  
  Hungary vs. the USSR
- C.
  
  Hungary vs. Romania
Correct Answer
B. Hungary vs. the USSR

Explanation
At the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Hungary defeated the Soviet Union in a water polo match. Hungarian player Ervin Zador was punched by Soviet player Valentin Prokopov. A photo of Zador with blood streaming down his face was widely published.

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5.

Why was Native American athlete Jim Thorpe, who won Olympic gold medals for the pentathlon and decathlon in 1912 in Stockholm, stripped of his medals?
- A.
  
  He had played semi-professional baseball before the Olympics, which violated the rules
- B.
  
  He cheated in one of the events
- C.
  
  At the time, Native Americans were not given full US citizenship
Correct Answer
A. He had played semi-professional baseball before the Olympics, which violated the rules

Explanation
Thorpe was stripped of his gold medals in 1913 because it turned out that he had played minor league baseball. Thorpe died in 1953; in 1982, his family won a long fight to have the medals reinstated.

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6.

The final of the men's 100 meter during the 1988 Seoul Olympics became known as the "Dirtiest Race In History." Which athlete tested positive for drugs after the race and was stripped of their medal?
- A.
  
  Linford Christie
- B.
  
  Ben Johnson
- C.
  
  Carl Lewis
Correct Answer
B. Ben Johnson

Explanation
Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson failed a drug test when traces of the banned steroid stanozolol were found in his urine, and he lost his medal.

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7.

The 2012 U.S. Olympic team has:
- A.
  
  More men than women
- B.
  
  More women then men
- C.
  
  The same amount of men and women
Correct Answer
B. More women then men

Explanation
For the first time, the United States Olympic team has more women than men. There are 269 women and 261 men on the team.

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8.

Greek athlete Paraskevi Papachristou was expelled from Greece's 2012 Olympic team for:
- A.
  
  Posting an offensive comment about African immigrants
- B.
  
  Posting an offensive comment about London
- C.
  
  Posting an offensive comment about NBC's coverage
Correct Answer
A. Posting an offensive comment about African immigrants

Explanation
Paraskevi Papachristou was expelled from Greece's 2012 Olympic team for posting an offensive comment about African immigrants. This action was deemed inappropriate and against the principles of inclusivity and respect that the Olympic Games represent. Such behavior goes against the values of fair play, diversity, and unity that are celebrated in the international sporting event. Consequently, her offensive comment led to her removal from the team, highlighting the consequences of engaging in discriminatory behavior.

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9.

The symobl of the Olympic Games are interlocking rings. How many rings are there?
- A.
  
  Five
- B.
  
  Seven
- C.
  
  Nine
Correct Answer
A. Five

Explanation
The five interlocking rings - blue, yellow, black, green and red on a white background -symbolize the five continents.

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10.

Which event is an Olympic sport for the first time in London?
- A.
  
  Women's boxing
- B.
  
  Women's weight lifting
Correct Answer
A. Women's boxing

Explanation
Women's boxing was introduced as an Olympic sport for the first time in London. This means that prior to the London Olympics, women's boxing was not included as an official event in the Olympic Games. The inclusion of women's boxing in the London Olympics marked a significant milestone for gender equality in sports, allowing female boxers to compete at the highest level on the Olympic stage.

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Current Version
Nov 29, 2023

Quiz Edited by
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Jul 27, 2012

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Politics And The Olympics Quiz

At the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Adolf Hitler hoped to prove his theories of Aryan racial superiority. Eighteen black athletes represented the United States at the Games. Which athlete is widely credited with proving Hitler wrong?

San Jose State students Tommie Smith and John Carlos, both track athletes, became famous at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City for:

Why did the the United States boycott the 1980 Olympics in Moscow?

Which countries competed in the water polo event that came to be known as the "Blood in the Water" match during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics?

Why was Native American athlete Jim Thorpe, who won Olympic gold medals for the pentathlon and decathlon in 1912 in Stockholm, stripped of his medals?

The final of the men's 100 meter during the 1988 Seoul Olympics became known as the "Dirtiest Race In History." Which athlete tested positive for drugs after the race and was stripped of their medal?

The 2012 U.S. Olympic team has:

Greek athlete Paraskevi Papachristou was expelled from Greece's 2012 Olympic team for:

The symobl of the Olympic Games are interlocking rings. How many rings are there?

Which event is an Olympic sport for the first time in London?