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.
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 was an official Olympic event from 1900 to 1920. Teams competed against each other to pull the opposing team across a designated line.
At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, synchronized swimming had a solo event. Swimmers performed routines alone, showcasing their artistic abilities and technical skills.
In the 1900 Paris Olympics, live pigeon shooting was included as an official event. Around 300 birds were killed during the competition.
From 1912 to 1948, the Olympics featured art competitions, where medals were awarded for architecture, painting, sculpture, literature, and music.
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.
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.