Olympic Rings

OLYMPICS

Olympic sports like volleyball have their own delicious slang.

Here are 20 fun bits of Olympics slang, from diving’s ‘bingo’ to gymnastics’ ‘twisties.’

Next time, do yourself a favor and throw on a pair before you hop in the shower.

The German national soccer team was looking for shoes to wear in the shower to prevent athlete’s foot. Adidas founder Adi Dassler offered an innovative solution: shower shoes.

Team Italy at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Synchronized swimming now goes by the name ‘artistic swimming.’ Here's why.

The Libero on Brazil’s team wears blue.

Volleyball doesn’t have goalkeepers, but it does have liberos—and the rules are a little different for them.

Léon Marchand at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

There are several reasons why a host country might see a boost in the Olympics medal count.

Some Olympic athletes still sport paper bibs.

The big paper tags seen on Olympic track and field athletes are both high-tech tracking devices and sentimental souvenirs.

Olympic individual neutral athlete Daniil Medvedev is one of the Russian competitors at the Paris Games.

No, they can’t pick their own anthem for their medal ceremony.

An athlete holds up a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games.

The amount of gold in Olympic medals is regulated, and there’s a lot less than there used to be.

Richard Norris Williams on his home turf.

Richard Norris Williams dreamed of being a tennis great. The ‘Titanic’ nearly cost him his legs.

Italy's Laura Bruschini at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

Beach volleyball's hand signals are a handy way for a blocker to clue their teammate into their next move.

Two caps offer a smooth finish.

There's a reason why two caps are better than one.

French fencer Auriane Mallo-Breton at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Fencing body cords aren't a safety measure.

The pools at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are built with speed in mind.

Learn the science behind the most advanced swimming pools out there.

Does this image of overlapping multicolored rings remind you of anything, hm?

Condoms in the Olympic Village have been a tradition—and a public health service—since 1988.

Great Britain's Kieran Bird at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

It's to get the blood flowing—or is it?

An Olympic swimmer sports circular bruises from cupping therapy.

In events where success or failure can be measured in tiny increments, it’s not surprising athletes will turn to any potential advantage. But does cupping actually work?

Olympic fans take selfies in front of the iconic rings in Paris.

Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin, intended the rings to represent nations “united by Olympism.”

Whitewater rafters carry the Olympic torch on its way to Paris.

This year, the Olympic torch made a symbolic journey from Greece to Paris for the Summer Games.

No dipping here.

America is the only country that refuses to do so.

Simone Biles has five gymnastics skills named for her.

At the Olympics, some athletes will be performing tried and true moves. Others might be throwing new skills that will one day bear their names.

Olympic gold medals are the zenith of athletic achievement.

Whoever said winning isn't everything didn't have 1175 gold medals.

Vanderlei Lima getting attacked by Neil Horan at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Though the Games are meant to foster a sense of unity among nations, they’ve seen their fair share of scandal—and even tragedy.

Bring back tug of war!

If you’re looking forward to polo and tug of war at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, we have bad news for you.

Jesse Owens (right) starting the 100-meter sprint at the 1936 Olympic Games—which he would go on to win.

The Black track star smoked the competition to win a record-setting four gold medals, making a mockery of Adolf Hitler’s belief in Aryan supremacy.