Test Your Olympic Knowledge 1

1. Which of these has never been an Olympic sport?

Checkers

Croquet

Tug-of-war

Checkers.

Explanation

Checkers.

2. Who was the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 in Olympic competition?

Olga Korbut

Nadia Comaneci

Mary Lou Retton

Romania's Nadia Comaneci became the first gymnast in Olympic history to earn a perfect score of 10.0 for her performance on the uneven bars in Montreal in 1976. The scoreboard wasn't even equipped to flash "10.00," so the operator went with "1.00." Comaneci went on to earn the perfect 10.0 six more times.

Explanation

Romania's Nadia Comaneci became the first gymnast in Olympic history to earn a perfect score of 10.0 for her performance on the uneven bars in Montreal in 1976. The scoreboard wasn't even equipped to flash "10.00," so the operator went with "1.00." Comaneci went on to earn the perfect 10.0 six more times.

3. Which European city hosted the first modern Olympic Games?

Paris

London

Athens

Athens in 1896.

Explanation

Athens in 1896.

4. Who scored the winning basket for the U.S.S.R. in the controversial win over the U.S. in the 1972 Men's Basketball gold medal game?

Alexander Belov

Sarunas Marciulionis

Arvydas Sabonis

Belov hit the shot for the U.S.S.R.

Explanation

Belov hit the shot for the U.S.S.R.

5. Including 2012, how many times has London hosted the Summer Olympics?

1

2

3

London hosted the Olympics in 1908 and 1948 and is the first city to host the Olympic Games three times.

Explanation

London hosted the Olympics in 1908 and 1948 and is the first city to host the Olympic Games three times.

6. Who is the first female athlete to win six medals in one Olympics?

Amanda Beard

Natalie Coughlin

Dana Torres

Coughlin. In 2008 she won the 100-meter backstroke, took silver in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay and the 4 x 100 medley relay. She also added bronze medals in the 200 meter individual medley, 4 x 200 freestyle relay, and the 100 freestyle.

Explanation

Coughlin. In 2008 she won the 100-meter backstroke, took silver in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay and the 4 x 100 medley relay. She also added bronze medals in the 200 meter individual medley, 4 x 200 freestyle relay, and the 100 freestyle.

7. How many gold medals did Jesse Owens win in the 1936 Games in Berlin?

3

4

5

Jesse Owens won four gold medals: in the 100, 200, long jump and 4 x 100 relay.

Explanation

Jesse Owens won four gold medals: in the 100, 200, long jump and 4 x 100 relay.

8. Which future world heavyweight champion did not win an Olympic gold medal?

Muhammad Ali

Evander Holyfield

Lennox Lewis

Despite dominating the light-heavyweight division, Evander Holyfield settled for bronze in 1984 after he was disqualified during the semifinals for delivering a knockout blow after the break against New Zealand's Kevin Barry.

Explanation

Despite dominating the light-heavyweight division, Evander Holyfield settled for bronze in 1984 after he was disqualified during the semifinals for delivering a knockout blow after the break against New Zealand's Kevin Barry.