8 Facts About The Olympics That Will Blow Your Mind

Olympic Gold Medals: 

               

The gold medals awarded at the Olympics are not entirely made of gold. They are mostly composed of silver, with a thin layer of gold plating. The last time solid gold medals were awarded was in 1912. 

Oldest Olympian: 

               

Oscar Swahn of Sweden holds the record for being the oldest Olympic medalist. He won a silver medal in shooting at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics at the age of 72. 

Tug of War:

               

Tug of war was an official Olympic event from 1900 to 1920. Teams competed against each other to pull the opposing team across a designated line. 

Solo Synchronized Swimming: 

               

At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, synchronized swimming had a solo event. Swimmers performed routines alone, showcasing their artistic abilities and technical skills. 

Live Pigeon Shooting:

               

In the 1900 Paris Olympics, live pigeon shooting was included as an official event. Around 300 birds were killed during the competition. 

Art Competitions:

               

From 1912 to 1948, the Olympics featured art competitions, where medals were awarded for architecture, painting, sculpture, literature, and music. 

Equestrian Jumping Obstacle: 

               

At the 1960 Rome Olympics, the equestrian jumping event included a unique obstacle—a 1.50-meter high wall made of water. Horses had to jump over the water wall, creating a visually spectacular display. 

Olympic Torch in Space: 

               

In 1996, during the Atlanta Olympics, the Olympic torch made a trip to space aboard the Space Shuttle. Astronauts carried the torch on a spacewalk outside the shuttle. 

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