By David Tepera, August 14, 2024
In case you enjoyed watching the 2024 Paris Olympics, here are a few interesting facts.
The first modern Olympics was held in Greece in 1896. The contests lasted 5-6 months, and the athletes competed naked. In 2012, at the London games, was the first time all participating countries sent females.
There are many definitions concerning the colors of the five rings. One of them is pertaining to at least one of the colors represents each country’s flag.
In the 2024 Olympics, there were 10,714 athletes, 329 events in 32 sports, with 206 nations competing. So, you know, United States had 594 athletes.
Of course, we all know the name of Jesse Owens. For all you youngens, the significance of Owens is because he competed in the 1936 German Olympics when Adolf Hitler intentions was to use the games to demonstrate Aryan superiority. After Owens won 4 gold medals, Hitler refused to shake hands with him.
Remember, this was 1936 and Germany was invading and killing people in it’s path. At the Olympic games, the German public adored Owens and this bothered Hitler, who finally left the games.
During Owens attempt at the long jump, he scratched twice. There was only one more opportunity to jump. A German long jumper named Carl Ludwig Long told Owens to place a towel one foot before the take-off-board because he had plenty of distance to beat out the competitors. Ludwig helped Owens to obtain his 4th gold medal. Ludwig and Owens became longtime friends. An interesting fact was that Ludwig asked Owens that if he didn’t return from war, that Owens would tell Ludwig’s son that war is only from the greedy people in power. We are all loving people and should treat each other as so. And yes, Ludwig lost his life serving his country.
So, you know, the gold medal isn’t solid gold. It’s true price is around $950 dollars. Simone Biles is the ninth-highest earning female athlete in the world in 2023. She made about 8.5 million before taxes. Tennis stars dominate the list of biggest earners.
Well, I hope you enjoyed a few fun facts about the Olympics. To me, it’s an honor to represent our country and represent the power of the flag that so many gave their lives for.