26 Olympics Trivia Questions and Answers
Olympic trivia from the first modern Games in 1896 to Sydney in 2000: host cities, famous champions, and when different sports joined the programme. Summer and Winter Games are both covered. Each question is followed by its answer.
There are 26 questions on this page. They are free to use for quiz nights, classrooms and pub quizzes, and each one links to its own page.
Related lists: Baseball trivia questions, 80s trivia questions, 90s trivia questions, Capital Cities trivia questions.
1.In 1981, the Academy Award Winning film was about two runners Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddel competing in the 1924 Olympics. What was the name of the film, and in which city did the 1924 Olympic Games take place?
Answer: CHARIOTS OF FIRE / PARIS
Open this question2.In 1985, Olympic basketball star Lynette Woodward made history when she became the first female member of a professional basketball team. Which team did she join?
Answer: HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS
Open this question3.What Korean type of martial arts was first contested for medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics?
Answer: TAE KWON DO
Open this question4.One was a former Olympic gymnast who won the Gold in the 1984 Olympics, the other a perennial tennis champion. They were the first two women athletes to appear on the box of Wheaties cereal. Who are they?
Answer: MARY LOU RETTON / CHRIS EVERT
Open this question5.This town in Switzerland is a famous winter sports center and year-round resort town. The Winter Olympics were held there in 1928 and 1948. What is the town's name?
Answer: ST. MORITZ
Open this question6.This sport, invented in the USA in 1895, is played in every country of the world, indoors or out, by men or women, with various number of players on a side. It became an official Olympic sport in 1964. What is it?
Answer: VOLLEYBALL It can be played with two, three, four, or six players on a team.
Open this question7.This person is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time. She participated in track and field, basketball, baseball, tennis, javelin, and swimming. She won two gold medals in the 1932 olympics, and numerous golf tournaments in the 1940's and 50'
Answer: BABE DIDRICKSON ZAHARIAS 1914-1956
Open this question8.What were the names of the two athletes who raised their fists in the Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympic games, and in which city did this occur?
Answer: TOMMY SMITH / JOHN CARLOS / MEXICO CITY
Open this question9.Which of these things found in the Olympics moves the fastest? Ice hockey puck, bobsled, luge, or speed skier?
Answer: SPEED SKIER = 140 mph
Open this question10.She began dancing and ice skating at an early age, eventually becoming world champion of ice skating at the age of 15. She won Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936. She set out for Hollywood and became one of the leading movie stars in the late 1930's. Who was she?
Answer: SONJA HENIE 1912 - 1969
Open this question11.In 1936 Adolf Hitler's theory of Aryan supremacy was upset when a certain black American athlete defeated his German stars, winning four gold medals in running and long jump at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Who was he?
Answer: JESSE OWENS
Open this question12.What great event occurred in the year 776 B.C. in Europe?
Answer: OLYMPIC GAMES
Open this question13.Women in sports: a. This runner won 3 gold medals at the 1988 Olympics, including setting the world records in the 100 and 200 meter runs? b. This speedskater won the 500 meter gold medal at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Answer: a. FLORENCE GRIFFITH JOYNER b.BONNIE BLAIR
Open this question14.After a break of 1500 years since the ancient Olympic Games, the first modern Olympic games occurred in 1896 in which city, and continued four years later, in 1900, in which city?
Answer: ATHENS / PARIS
Open this question15.Every year both the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated choose their "athlete of the year." These athletes can come from any sport: golf, tennis, swimming, football, etc. However, in 1980, both the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated chose not an individual but a team. Which team?
Answer: U.S. OLYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM
Open this question16.In 1976 at what Olympic city did Nadia Comaneci score a perfect 10 in gymnastics?
Answer: MONTREAL
Open this question17.Which 15-year old American figure skater became Olympic champion in 1998, the youngest winner since Sonja Henie in 1928?
Answer: TARA LIPINSKY
Open this question18.Can you name the Japanese-American woman who won the Gold Medal in Figure Skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics in France.
Answer: KRISTI YAMAGUCHI
Open this question19.The first Winter Olympics were held in 1924, in which city of France?
Answer: CHAMONIX
Open this question20.This is one of the most popular participation sports in the world. Created by the British in the late 19th century, it can be played in any season or climate. It was first played as an Olympic sport in 1988. Which sport?
Answer: PING PONG / TABLE TENNIS
Open this question21.Born in 1964, this speed skater was the first American woman to win five gold medals in Olympic competition. Who is she?
Answer: BONNIE BLAIR
Open this question22.One of the more unusual Olympic events is the biathlon. Which two athletic endeavors make up the Biathlon?
Answer: CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, RIFLE SHOOTING
Open this question23.Which female runner lost her chance to win a gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics of 1984, when she fell down during the 3,000 meter race?
Answer: MARY DECKER
Open this question24.Women in sports: Which female was the first Olympic gymnast to receive a perfect "10" rating from the judges - in the 1976 Olympics?
Answer: NADIA COMANECI
Open this question25.In competitive archery, how far is the standard outdoor target distance for the Olympic recurve event?
Answer: 70 meters
Open this question26.In what year did the first women's ice hockey tournament take place at the Winter Olympics?
Answer: 1998
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