Sports of the Winter Olympics. Olympic sports

Sports governed by the following International Sports Federations, which are members of the Association of International Winter Sports Federations, are considered Olympic sports:

• International Biathlon Union (IBU);
• International Bobsleigh and Toboggan Federation (FIBT);
• World Curling Federation (WCF);
• International Ice Hockey Federation (IIXF);
• International Luge Federation (FIL);
• International Skating Union (ISU);
• International Ski Federation (FIS).

The Association of the International Olympic Winter Sports Federations, AIOWF was created in 1983. The first president of the AIOWF was the President of the International Ski Federation, a member of the IOC Mark Hodler. In 2000-2002 he served as president Gian Franco Kasper(IOC member, FIS President). Since 2002, the President of the AIOVF has been a member of the IOC, President of the IIHF Rene Fasel(Rene Fasel). The headquarters of the AIOVF is located in Zurich (Switzerland).

The International Sports Federation (IFS) is one of the three main components of the modern Olympic Movement (MO), governing one or more sports (divided into categories) at the world level and including the organizations that govern these sports at the national level.

In team sports, the structural unit of competition is a game (match, meeting).

Only sports that are widespread in at least 25 countries on three continents can be included in the program of the Winter Olympic Games. They are included in the Games program no less than seven years before the relevant Winter Olympic Games, after which no changes are permitted.

The discipline is a branch of an Olympic sport, including one or more types of competition, and must have strong international recognition.

To be included in the Games program, types of competitions must have a strong international status both in the number of countries and in geographical distribution, and also be included at least 2 times in the programs of world or continental championships.

Types of competitions are included in the program at least three years before the relevant Games, after which no changes are allowed.

Winter Olympic sports in Sochi 2014

In Russia, another classification is more common, according to which there are 15 winter Olympic sports.

Winter Olympic sports - Sochi 2014 Olympics.

1. Biathlon is a winter Olympic sport that combines cross-country skiing with small-caliber rifle shooting. Included in the Olympic program since 1960. It is believed that biathlon as a competition originated in the form of a ski race, which took place in 1767 and was organized by border guards on the Swedish-Norwegian border. While skiing, the “athletes” had to hit a target with a gun at a distance of about 30 m.

The Olympic Games program includes 5 types of biathlon competitions for men and women:

The individual and pursuit races consist of 5 laps with 4 shooting rounds between the prone and standing laps.

Sprint is a race with 2 firing lines.

The relay consists of 4 stages: 3 laps of the distance and 2 shooting ranges in each.

Mass start is a race from a general start with 4 firing lines.

2. Bobsleigh - a downhill race on a special ice track in the form of a chute on a sled (bobs). This sport was included in the Olympic Games program in 1924.

The birthplace of bobsleigh is Switzerland. It was here in 1888 that English tourist Wilson Smith connected two sleds and a board to use for the journey from St. Moritz to Celerina below. Here, at the end of the 19th century, the world's first bobsleigh club was organized, where the basic rules of competition in this sport were developed.

The Olympic Games program includes three types of competitions: men in two- and four-seater bobs and women in two-seater sleighs.

3. Curling is a team sport played on an ice rink. During the competition, participants of two teams alternately launch special heavy granite projectiles (“stones”) across the ice towards a special field marked on the ice. The sport was officially included in the Olympic Games in 1998, although demonstration competitions in curling were already held at the 1924 Games.

During the game, which consists of 10 periods, athletes try to stop their stone, weighing about 19 kg, in a certain place or knock opponents' stones out of the scoring zone.

4. Ice hockey is a sports game in which players of two teams, using their sticks to aim a puck with a diameter of 7.62 cm, try to throw it into the opponent’s goal without letting it into their own goal. Men's ice hockey has been part of the Olympic program since 1920, and women began competing in this sport at the Games in 1998.

Canada is considered the birthplace of modern hockey. Canadians played this game on frozen lakes, and instead of ice skates, they used cheese cutters and attached them to their boots.

5. Luge is a high-speed descent on single and double sleighs along a luge-bobsleigh track. Lying on their backs, athletes control the sled using a tension belt. This sport entered the Olympic program in 1964.

Switzerland is considered the official birthplace of luge. In 1879, the first track for these competitions was built in Davos. Four years later, the first international luge tournament was held in Switzerland. And in Russia, the first official competitions between luge athletes were held in 1910 on Vorobyovy Gory in Moscow. In the Olympic competition program, the athlete who completes the course in the shortest time wins. During the race, the speed of the sled is more than 140 km/h.

6. Skeleton is a high-speed descent on a double-sleigh sleigh with a weighted frame along a bobsleigh track. Skeleton officially became an Olympic sport in 2002.

The Olympic skeleton competition lasts two days, during which each athlete completes 4 descents. The winner is determined by the minimum total time of 4 attempts.

In skeleton at the Olympic Games, 2 sets of awards are played out: in individual competitions for men and women.

During the races, the sled can reach speeds of 130 km/h.

7. Figure skating is a winter sport that involves athletes moving across the ice on skates and performing additional elements, usually accompanied by music. Figure skating is one of the very first disciplines on the Olympic Games program: back in 1908, figure skaters competed during the Games in London.

In the program of the Olympic figure skating competitions, 4 sets of awards are played out: in individual competitions among men and among women, pair competitions and ice dancing.

The basic elements of figure skating are divided into steps, spirals, rotations, and jumps, the most difficult of which is the Axel, especially the quadruple (4.5 revolutions).

8. Speed ​​skating is another type of speed skating. For men, speed skating has been officially included in the Games program since 1924, for women - since 1932.

Until the 19th century, speed skating was almost the only and most popular sport in Russia. The first Russian speed skating championship took place on February 19, 1889 at the skating rink of the Moscow River Yacht Club. In the program of the Olympic Games in speed skating, 12 sets of medals are played out in 10 types of competitions: at a distance of 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m and 5000 m (for men and women); at a special distance of 3000 m for women and 10000 m for men, as well as in team pursuit races for men and women.

Professional speed skaters can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h.

9. Short track is a type of speed skating: skating on an oval track, which is usually marked on a hockey rink. This sport was included in the Olympic Games program in 1992.

Short track (from English “short track”) is a relatively young, but the most extreme and dangerous type of speed skating.

In the program of the Olympic short track competitions, 8 sets of medals are played out: in the 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m (among men and women), 3000 m relay race (women) and 5000 m (men).

Short track speed skating athletes reach speeds of 50 km/h and equipment includes a protective helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and sometimes neck and chin guards.

10. Alpine skiing is a skiing discipline that involves descending from the mountains on special skis. This sport was officially included in the Olympic program in 1936.

The program of the Olympic Games in alpine skiing includes five types of competitions, for women and for men:

In slalom, athletes must navigate a course marked by closely spaced flags and gates.

In the giant slalom discipline, the gates are located further apart, which allows skiers to develop greater speed.

“Super combination” and “Super giant” are 2 more alpine skiing disciplines that combine downhill and giant slalom, combining high speed and a “slalom” track trajectory.

11. Cross-country skiing – ski racing over a certain distance on a specially prepared track. For men, this sport entered the Olympic program in 1924, at the first Winter Games in Chamonix. Cross-country skiing for women was included in the program in 1952.

The first speed skiing competitions took place in 1767 in Norway.

The Olympic cross-country skiing program includes 12 types of competitions (six for men and six for women):

12. Ski jumping is a discipline that consists of ski jumping from specially equipped springboards.

This sport entered the Olympic program in 1924 at the 1st Winter Olympic Games in Chamonix.

The program of the Olympic Games includes 3 sets of awards for ski jumping: 2 in the individual competition (jumping heights of 90 m and 120 m) and 1 in the team competition (jumping height of 120 m).

The IOC sets the program for the Olympic Games, which includes only Olympic sports.

A mandatory condition, without which a sport cannot be recognized as an Olympic sport, is the presence of an International Sports Federation, which manages and develops this sport worldwide.

In order to be included in the Olympic Games program, an Olympic sport must meet the following criteria:

1. The program of the Olympic Games can only include sports that are widespread in at least 75 countries on four continents for men, and in at least 40 countries on three continents for women.

2.Only sports that are widespread in at least 25 countries on three continents can be included in the program of the Winter Olympic Games.

3. Sports are included in the program of the Olympic Games no less than seven years before the relevant Olympic Games, after which no changes are allowed.

Disciplines.

1. To be included in the Olympic Games program, a discipline that is a branch of an Olympic sport and includes one or more types of competition must have strong international recognition.

2. The criteria for inclusion of disciplines are similar to the criteria for inclusion of Olympic sports.

3. The discipline is included in the program at least seven years before the start of the specific Olympic Games, and after that no changes are allowed.

Types of competitions

1. A type of competition that is a competition within an Olympic event or one of its disciplines and leads to the distribution of places among participants. Ends with the presentation of medals and diplomas.

2. To be included in the program of the Olympic Games, types of competitions must have a strong international status, both in the number of countries and in geographical distribution, and also be included at least twice in the programs of world or continental championships.

3. The program of the Olympic Games may include only competitions for men that are common in at least 50 countries and on three continents, and for women – in at least 35 countries and on three continents.

4. Types of competitions are included in the program four years before the next Olympic Games and after that no changes are permitted in relation to these Games.

9. Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympic Games, which began in 1924, do not have such a classical past and such long traditions as the Summer Games. Winter sports, as we have already mentioned, appeared in the 1908 Summer Olympics program. Their harbinger was figure skating. Following this, in 1920, at the Games of the VII Olympiad (Antwerp, Belgium), in addition to figure skating, the program featured the premiere of modern hockey, cultivated by Canadians. Under pressure from fans of winter sports, the International Olympic Committee in 1920 encouraged the French to organize the First Winter Sports Week in the next Olympic year. The only stipulation was that the results could not be accepted as official Olympic results.

The 1st Winter Sports Week was held in Chamonix (France), where the northerners who were in opposition came in full force. Influenced by the unexpectedly great success, the Prague Olympic Congress in 1925 called for regular holding of the Winter Games. They were included in the Olympic program. Moreover, the events in Chamonix were subsequently given the official rank of the Olympic Games.

The 1st Winter Games, which started as a Sports Week, were held in accordance with Olympic formalities. The Olympic flame was lit and the participants took the Olympic oath. The games were in the nature of “home” competitions for Scandinavian athletes. Having demonstrated the so-called aerodynamic style, Norwegian ski jumpers ushered in a new era. The Norwegian “king of skiing” Thorleif Haug won three gold and one bronze medals. He became the first winner of the Winter Olympics to have a monument erected during his lifetime. Norwegian Sonja Henie, the heroine of subsequent Winter Olympics, performed here for the first time.

At the First Winter Olympic Games, 293 athletes (including 13 women) competed in 14 program numbers in 5 sports. Demonstration competitions took place in curling and cross-country skiing for military patrols.

In the unofficial team competition, the Norwegian team was in 1st place, Finland in 2nd place and Austria in 3rd place.

The Winter Olympic Games constitute a separate cycle, which includes competitions in winter sports.

Beginning in 1924, they were numbered in the order in which they were held and were held in the same calendar year as the summer ones. However, the XVII Winter Olympic Games took place in 1994, as the IOC decided to hold them separately. (table z.o.i.)

Sports that take place on snow and ice are treated as winter sports.

The term "Olympics" is not used in connection with the Winter Olympic Games.

The medals and diplomas are different from those awarded to the winners of the Olympic Games.

The Winter Games are held in accordance with the rules of the Olympic Games, with the exception of some special changes.

For the first time, athletes from our country took part in the Winter Games in 1956 in Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy).

Speed ​​skaters Evgeny Grishin, Yuri Mikhailov, and Boris Shilkov became Olympic champions. Gold medal in the 10km cross-country ski race. Lyubov Kozyreva won, and the men's team won the 4x10km relay race. The national ice hockey team also became Olympic champions.

They would become even more popular if they included several new disciplines.

Today, there are several very popular winter sports that, for various reasons, are not Olympic.

And, nevertheless, these sports can compete with many Olympic disciplines in terms of entertainment.

1. Skijoring (dog racing)

This sport is quite young. In the USSR there was a discipline called skier towing, later renamed skijoring in Russia.

The skier is pulled forward by a horse, dog or deer (less commonly), which is controlled by the rider or the skier himself - it all depends on the type of skijoring.

It is also worth noting that driving with a snowmobile or SUV as a tow can also be called skijoring. In Russia, this winter sport is associated with dogs, and in the USA with horses.

2. Speed ​​competition (alpine skiing)

In this sport, skiers compete for speed while descending from a specially prepared slope. It is worth noting that this is the fastest non-motor sport, not counting parachute jumping.

Typically, in a speed competition, participants can reach speeds in excess of 200 km/h. On a segment of 1 km, the speed of the skier is determined. The winner is the one who reaches the highest speed.

3. Sports ballet on ice

In the USA and Australia, ice ballet is known as TOI (Theatre on Ice). This winter sport is a mixture of singles and pairs skating, as well as ice dancing.

Synchronized figure skating in ice ballet is staged with the goal of telling a complete story. The emphasis is on aesthetics rather than technique. Ballet on skis first appeared at the beginning of the 20th century in Austria. Despite the fact that the discipline itself is quite new, it is gaining popularity very quickly.

4. Winter sports: military patrol competitions (patrol race)

The patrol race is the predecessor of modern biathlon. This sport was known in the first half of the 20th century.

The military patrol competition includes several stages: men's and women's cross-country skiing at a distance of 25 km and 15 km, respectively, a mountain route (ski mountaineering) and rifle shooting at pre-prepared targets.

Before it was replaced by biathlon, patrol racing was a Winter Olympic sport at the very first games in 1924.

5. Bandy (bandy)

Two teams of 10 field players play, using skates to move around. Despite. That in Russia this sport is officially called “bandy”, in international practice its name is “bandy”.

The International Olympic Committee recognizes bandy as a winter sport, but has not yet included it in the official program of the Winter Olympic Games. According to the President of the Russian Bandy Federation and the International Bandy Federation, this sport will be featured at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

6. Snowkiting

Being a type of kitesurfing, the main element of this winter sport is a kite, which pulls the athlete along with it. The participant can ski or snowboard.

In Russia, snoekiting is developing very quickly, unlike kitesurfing. For example, in Togliatti you can watch the international snowsurfing competition “Zhiguli Sea”.

Snowkiting (video)

7. Non-Olympic Sports: Sailing Sled

Sailing sleds have another name - ice boats. The main structure is the sail, which is attached to the hull, which already has three short steel skates. The rear skate plays the role of the sleigh's steering wheel.

Ice boats are capable of reaching high speeds, but it all depends on the ice and wind strength. There are places where sledding is a very popular sport, such as Poland, where in the north-eastern part there are about 2,000 lakes and a huge number of rivers.

8. Non-Olympic sport: ice climbing (ice-climbing)

Simply put, this is climbing up icy steep slopes. Here you need to have a high level of concentration. Ice is quite fragile, which means one careless movement can lead to a crack.

Ice climbers who engage in ice climbing climb the same peaks as rock climbers in the warm season. However, ice climbers have one more obstacle that rock climbers do not have - a frozen waterfall.

It is worth noting that Russian fans of this sport can be found in the Caucasus. Also many ice platforms can be found in Crimea. In addition to natural ones, there are also artificial ice structures for training.

9. Winter equestrian polo

Despite the fact that winter equestrian polo is not an Olympic sport, major competitions are held in it. Competitions in this sport have been held in Moscow since 2004.

The most famous winter equestrian polo tournament is called the Cartier Polo World Cup, and it takes place every year in Switzerland, namely on the ice of Lake St. Moritz. The rules of this sport are the same as those of regular equestrian polo. The only difference is that the ball is painted in a brighter color and has a larger diameter.

Since climatic conditions in Russia allow this sport to develop, the International Federation of Modern Pentathlon has become seriously interested in the prospects for this development. It is worth noting that the head of this federation is Prince Albert of Monaco, who is very fond of this sport.

10. Figure skiing

This sport was part of freestyle skiing from the early 60s until 2000. Within 90 seconds, participants had to perform various acrobatic elements while skiing down a small slope while listening to music.

In the 80s, there were pair competitions in which, in addition to jumps and turns, participants had to perform lifts and demonstrate synchronization. The performance was evaluated by the judges.

The list of Summer Olympic Games includes 41 disciplines in 28 sports.

BMX

This is a sport in which athletes compete by performing various extreme stunts on special bicycles. The following disciplines exist:

1. Racing - races that are distinguished by their entertainment. No more than 8 athletes can take part in each race. The track consists of an embankment with turns, jumps, waves and other obstacles.
2. Flatland - tricks are performed on a flat surface.
3. Vert - stunts are performed on a steep ramp.
4. Dirt - participants perform extreme stunts on a special track with quite significant hills.
5. Street - competitions take place on a special site, equipped to resemble a regular street, with all the attendant obstacles in the form of curbs, stairs, railings and other things.

Rowing

Competitions taking place on the water. They differ in the number of athletes in teams:

1. One athlete.
2. Two athletes.
3. Four athletes.
4. Eight athletes.

There is also a difference in the type of rowing: using one or two oars.

Badminton

In this sport, 5 sets of Olympic medals are played in the following events:

1. Single among men.
2. Men's doubles.
3. Singles among women.
4. Women's doubles.
5. Mixed couples.

Basketball

During the game, 5 players from each team participate on the field. The goal of each athlete is to hit the basket more times than the opponent. Both men's and women's teams participate in the main Olympics in the world.

Boxing

Boxers took part in the games for the first time in 1902. Female athletes were able to compete for the first time only in 2012. In total, 13 Olympic medals apply to this sport. Athletes are divided into categories by weight. There are 3 categories for female athletes, while men are divided into 10.

Cycling track race

There are 10 disciplines in total:

1. The Australian Pursuit is a competition where competitors must start from different places on the track at the same time. Those who are overtaken during the race are eliminated from the track. The winner is the one who remains last on the cycle track.
2. Git is an individual type of competition, the meaning of which is to overcome the track as quickly as possible.
3. The points race is also an individual event. The length of the track for men is 40 km, and for women - 25 km. Every 10 laps, the first one gets 5 points, the second - 3, the third - 2, the fourth - 1. The winner is the one who scores the maximum number of points over the entire distance.
4. A race with an unknown finish - its peculiarity is that the athletes do not know what the distance will be. The final round is announced by an authorized person only during the competition.
5. Pursuit race - cyclists must start from different sides of the cycle track. The goal of the competition is to show the fastest time or overtake your opponent.
6. Keirin is a race in which athletes are required to cover a certain distance at a given speed. And then just speed up and perform the final sprint.
7. Madison is a group race of two or three athletes per team.
8. Omnimum is one discipline that immediately includes 6 other track cycling disciplines.
9. Scratch is a race of 15 km for men and 10 km for women. If an athlete is one lap behind the others, he is eliminated from the race. The winner is the one who came to the finish line as a leader or overtook all competitors by a lap.
10. A sprint is a short race. The competition takes place over just a few laps.

Water polo

Athletes in the men's category first took part in 1900 and have competed at every Olympic Games since then. Women made their debut only in 2000 in Sydney.

Volleyball

The athletes made their volleyball debut at the games in 1964. Both men's and women's teams took part immediately. Beach view appeared in 1992 as a demonstration option and remained on the list in subsequent years.

Freestyle wrestling

Participants first appeared at the Olympic Games in 1906. But then all the athletes were US citizens. This was due to the fact that no one except them knew about this type of competition.

Dressage

This sport is also called training. And this is one of 4 competitions, the purpose of which is to demonstrate the abilities of the horse and rider. Only listed horse breeds can participate in dressage. Grades are given based on a whole set of criteria.

Handball

This group sport is considered similar to football. The difference in the game is that the ball must be thrown into the goal using your hands. Handball was first listed in 1936. There are both men's and women's teams.

Golf

The men's Olympic event, introduced in 1900. But after the 1904 Olympics, golf was excluded from the list. It was brought back only in 2016.

mountain bike

An extreme discipline included in the list at 29 Olympic Games. There are 10 types of main bike competition in total:

1. Straight.
2. Bike trial.
3. Parallel slalom.
4. Dirt jumping.
5. Freeride.
6. Slopestyle.
7. Uphill.
8. Cross country.
9. North Shore.
10. Downhill.

Kayaking and canoeing

Rowing appeared in Olympic competitions in 1865. The first demonstration race was carried out in 1924, but the sport was added to the list only in 1936.

Rowing slalom

This is a competition for extreme sports enthusiasts. Its appearance as an independent species is dated September 11, 1932. Inclusion in the list of Olympic Games occurred in 1972.

Greco-Roman wrestling

One of the oldest disciplines at the Olympic Games. Greco-Roman wrestling was added to the list back in 704 BC.

Judo

This discipline first appeared at a competition in Tokyo in 1964. The Games in Mexico City in 1968 are the only time that judokas did not come to the Olympics. Women first appeared at the main competitions in 1992.

Show jumping

A type of competition where a horse and rider take part. The point is to overcome obstacles. Show jumping was added to the Summer Olympics in 1900.

Equestrian eventing

It consists of three disciplines: obstacle passing, dressage riding and cross-country. The debut of this sport at the Olympic Games dates back to 1912.

Athletics

This is the queen of sports. As many as 47 sets of awards are awarded at the Olympics. Athletics was included in the modern Olympic Games in 1896. It includes not only various types running, but also walking, long and high jumps, all-around, cross-country and other technical events.

Table tennis

It was introduced into the list of games in 1988. During the Olympics, 4 sets of awards are awarded.

Sailing

The inclusion of sailing in the list of Olympic Games dates back to 1900. Initially there were mixed teams. There are currently 10 sets of awards up for grabs: 1 for mixed, 4 for women and 5 for men.

Swimming

It first appeared as a games discipline in Athens in 1896. During the competition, 34 sets of medals are awarded.

Diving

It was first included in the program in 1904. The essence of the competition is the technically correct performance of acrobatic tricks after a springboard jump. In addition, judges evaluate the smoothness of entry into the water.

Jumping on a trampoline

It wasn't until the 2000 Games in Sydney that trampolining became an official Olympic sport.

Rugby

Rugby appeared in competitions in Paris in 1900. It is interesting that until 1924 only 3 teams took part, which later all became prize-winners. After the 1924 games, rugby was dropped and only appeared in 2016.

Synchronized swimming

This discipline first appeared in 1984. Synchronized swimming as a form of the Olympic Games has one peculiarity. Only women are officially allowed to participate. Although international competitions have categories for both women and men.

Modern pentathlon

It was first included in 1912. Women's discipline appeared only in 2000. This is an individual competition that includes shooting and running (they have been combined since 2009), fencing, show jumping and swimming.

Artistic gymnastics

Currently, 14 sets of medals are being played out. Among men, this discipline appeared in the modern Olympic Games in 1896. Women began to take part in 1928.

Sports shooting

Appeared at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens. Until 1968, only men could take part. And since 1984, a division was made into men's and women's competitions in some disciplines. In 1996, the remaining disciplines were also divided. 15 sets of medals are awarded in the competition.

Archery

Archery officially became an Olympic discipline in 1900. But until 1972 it was considered optional.

Tennis

The sport appeared at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens. After 1924, tennis was canceled and only reintroduced in 1988.

Triathlon

This is an individual sport consisting of a gradual passage of three stages:

1. Swimming.
2. Cycling race.

Triathlon as a full-fledged discipline was first included in the Summer Olympic Games in 2000.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo came to the Olympic Games from Korea. Its peculiarity lies in allowing the use of legs for throws and strikes at the enemy. Both male and female athletes are officially admitted. As part of the demonstration, taekwondo athletes made their Olympic debut in 1988. But athletes were officially admitted only in Sydney in 2000. There are 8 sets of awards in total, dividing athletes by weight and gender.

Weightlifting

The sport has been listed since the first Summer Olympics of the modern era. Men later did not compete in the 1900, 1908 and 1912 Olympics. Women have been able to compete for medals only since 2000. Among male athletes, 8 sets of awards are played out, and among women, 7. The division occurs into categories depending on the weight of the participants.

Fencing

Fighting with bladed weapons appeared at the first games in Athens. The appearance of women at the Olympics dates back to 1924. A total of 10 awards are up for grabs. 5 sets each for men and women. The Olympic Games include the following fencing categories:

1. Sword.
2. Saber among women's teams.
3. Rapier.
4. Rapier among men's teams.
5. Saber
6. Epee among mixed teams.

Football

For the first time this sport, which can now be confidently called one of the most popular in the world, started at the Olympic Games in France in 1900. Then football was present at all Olympics except 1932. Since 1996, a separate category of football has appeared - women's. Previously, only men's teams could compete.

Field hockey

This sport differs from regular hockey in many ways: the presence of grass instead of ice, the lack of equipment, the replacement of the puck with a hard ball. The first summer variation of hockey appeared at the Olympic Games in 1908. At that time, only men could take part. Women's teams were present in Moscow for the first time in 1980.

Rhythmic gymnastics

This elegant and purely female competition appeared in the competition in 1984. Awards are awarded in the all-around category in both individual and group play. Female athletes perform, as a rule, using one or two objects. Previously, it was allowed to perform dance and acrobatic stunts without additional objects. But now this type of performance is practically not observed at the Olympic Games.

Road cycling

Cyclists of this discipline first appeared at the 1896 Olympic Games. Women were able to take part only in 1984. In total, 2 sets of awards are awarded for men and women. Races are divided into group and separate.

Summer Olympic sports

Sports in the program of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games

Classification of sports

The development of sports throughout the world has led to the emergence and development of many individual sports, of which there are currently more than 200. Each of them is characterized by its own subject of competition, a special composition of actions, methods of conducting competitive struggle and competition rules.

The most common sports are included in the program of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Therefore, in the theory of sports, the “Olympic Classification of Sports” is mainly used. This classification is based on taking into account the basic patterns of competitive and training activities in various sports, as well as the rather similar specifics of several sports. In this classification, sports are divided into six groups.

1 group- cyclic sports (running disciplines of athletics, swimming, rowing, cycling, skiing, speed skating, etc.)

2nd group- speed-strength sports (track and field sports, throwing, sprint programs in various sports).

3 group- complex coordination sports (artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, figure skating, diving, etc.).

4 group- martial arts (all types of wrestling, boxing, fencing).

5 group- sports games (football, hockey, volleyball, etc.).

6 group- all-around events (cross-country skiing, track and field decathlon, modern pentathlon, etc.).

Summer Olympic sports

The program of the modern Olympic Games includes 28 summer sports (41 disciplines). Two of them (golf and rugby) were not competed at the last Olympic Games, and for the first time after a long break they will be presented in the program in 2016. When classifying sports, the IOC follows the principle of “one federation, one sport”. After the name of the sport, the name of the corresponding international federation is indicated in parentheses. The item indicates the type of sport, and the subitem indicates the discipline.

Summer Olympic sports.

1. Rowing (FISA)

2. Badminton (BWF)

3. Basketball (FIBA)

4. Boxing (AIBA)

5. Wrestling (FILA)

5.1 Freestyle wrestling

5.2 Greco-Roman wrestling

6. Cycling (UCI)

6.2 Track cycling

6.3 Mountain bike (Mountain bike)

6.4 Road cycling

7. Water sports (FINA)

7.1 Water polo

7.2 Swimming

7.3 Diving

7.4 Synchronized swimming

8. Volleyball (FIVB)

8.1 Volleyball

8.2 Beach volleyball

9. Handball (IHF)

10. Gymnastics (FIG)

10.1 Artistic gymnastics

10.2 Rhythmic gymnastics

10.3 Trampoline

11. Golf (IGF)

12. Kayaking and canoeing (ICF)

12.1 Kayaking and canoeing

12.2 Rowing slalom

13. Judo (IJF)

14. Equestrian sport (FEI)

14.1 Dressage

14.2 Show jumping

14.3 Eventing

15. Athletics (IAAF)

16. Table tennis (ITTF)

17. Sailing (ISAF)

18. Rugby (IRB)

19. Modern Pentathlon (UIPM)

20. Shooting (ISSF)

21. Archery (FITA)

22. Tennis (ITF)

23. Triathlon (ITU)

24. Taekwondo (WTF)

25. Weightlifting (IWF)

26. Fencing (FIE)

27. Football (FIFA)

28. Field hockey (FIH)

Summer sports

1) Rowing is a cyclic sport, racing on water. One, two, four or eight rowers in a crew complete the course in boats with their backs facing the direction of travel (unlike rowing in kayaks and canoes).

2) Badminton is a game sport in which players sit on opposite sides of an area (court) of a certain size divided into two parts and throw the shuttlecock over the net with hits of their rackets, trying to win the match.

3) Basketball is a team sport in which players throw the ball into a “basket” (a metal ring covered with a net without a bottom) located 10 feet above the floor (just over 3 meters).

4) Boxing is a fist fight between two athletes, held in the ring. Boxing must be done in special soft gloves weighing 8 ounces (about 227 g), striking the front and side of the opponent’s head and torso.

5) Wrestling is a combat between two unarmed athletes using a set of certain techniques. The goal of the fight is to pin down the opponent or win on points. The fight can take place both in a standing position and in other positions; strikes are prohibited.

6) Road cycling race is a type of cycling race held on highways and well-paved roads at high speeds over long distances. A maximum of 200 athletes can participate in each race. Cycling track is a race on an artificial track in a circle.

7) Water polo is a team game with a ball on the water. It is played by two teams of 7 people on a rectangular water platform.

8) Volleyball is a team game in which two teams compete on a playing court divided by a net. The goal of the game is to send the ball over the net to land on the opponent's court and prevent the opponent from making the same attempt.

9) Handball is a sports game in which two teams try to throw the largest number of balls into the opponent’s goal from a distance of no closer than 6 meters.

10) Golf is a sports game in which individual participants or teams compete by hitting a small ball into special holes with clubs, trying to cover the allotted distance in the minimum number of strokes.

11) Rowing on kayaks and canoes - kayaks are rowed while sitting, with an oar with two blades, which is used alternately from different sides. The canoe is rowed with a single-blade oar while standing on the knee. Since the strokes are performed from one side, so that the single canoe does not move in a circle, but goes straight, at the end of the stroke it is necessary to perform a complex technical element - steering.

12) Rowing slalom is an Olympic sport that involves sailing a boat through sections of a mountain river or rough water with natural and artificial obstacles for a time.

13) Judo is a type of martial arts in which, along with throws, choking and painful holds on the arms are allowed. Athletes perform in a kimono (loose jacket with a belt and pants) on special mats - tatami.

14) Equestrian sport - in dressage competitions, the rider and horse must perform exercises that are scored by judges on a 10-point scale. The team championship is determined by the sum of the scores of the top three team members out of four.

15) Athletics - athletes compete in the 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 5000 and 10,000 m, marathon (42 km 195 m), 110 hurdles (women's 100) and 400 m, steeplechase - 3000 m steeplechase, 20 and 50 km race walking (men only), high jump, pole jump, long jump and triple jump, shot put, discus, hammer and javelin throw and all-around - decathlon for men and heptathlon - for women.

16) Table tennis is a game the essence of which is throwing a special celluloid ball over a net stretched over a special table. The table measures 9 x 5 feet (2.74m x 1.525m) and is 30 inches (76 cm) high.

17) Sailing - 9 classes of vessels take part in the Olympic races, the races take place along a triangular Olympic course, the length of which is determined in accordance with ocean currents, prevailing wind directions, weather conditions and the number of competing vessels.

18) Swimming is a sport that involves overcoming a competitive distance from 50 to 1500 m in a pool or open water with a certain style.

19) Beach volleyball is a game played on a sandy court divided by a net, in which two teams, located on opposite sides of the net, throw the ball over it with their hands in order to land it on the other side and prevent the ball from falling on their side of the court.

20) Diving is carried out from a springboard (1 m and 3 m) and a platform (5 m, 7.5 m and 10 m). The competition consists of a series of jumps, the winner is determined by the sum of points for each of 5 attempts.

21) Trampoline - men and women compete in individual trampolining - the competition includes preliminary and final exercises. The trampoline consists of a metal frame holding a springy net from which athletes push off.

22) Rugby is a contact team sport that originated in the 19th century in England. A rugby match is a competition between two teams. The main task of each opponent is to perform effective actions, that is, hitting the goal or bringing the ball into the opponent’s end zone.

23) Synchronized swimming - a women's sport, synchronized swimming requires athletes to have a wide range of skills - to move horizontally and vertically in the water, on the chest, on the back and on the side; combine different types of movements and movements into a single composition; have choreographic and acrobatic training.

23) Modern pentathlon is an all-around sports competition consisting of 5 disciplines: show jumping, epee fencing, shooting, running and swimming. Athletes earn points based on their performance in each event.

24) Artistic gymnastics – 14 sets of Olympic medals are played in artistic gymnastics. The modern gymnastics all-around program consists of: floor exercises, vault, exercises on the pommel horse, rings, parallel bars and horizontal bar for men and exercises on uneven bars of different heights, beam, vault and floor exercises for women.

25) Olympic shooting can be bullet and skeet. Bullet shooting is carried out from pneumatic, small-caliber and large-caliber weapons.

26) Archery - hitting the smallest inner ring with an arrow on a round target with a diameter of 1.22 m. Modern bows are made of fiberglass, arrows are made of aluminum and carbon fiber.

27) Tennis - a game with a ball and rackets on a special court (a court 23.77 m long and 8.23 ​​m wide), divided by a net fixed at a height of 1.07 m. The mesh is stretched over square and round posts with a side and diameter of no more than 15 cm.

28) Triathlon is a 1500 m swim, a 40 km bike ride and a 10 km run around the stadium. There are no breaks between disciplines - therefore triathlon is considered one of the most, if not the most severe sports in the world.

29) Taekwondo (“the way of the fist and foot”) is a modern Korean martial art created on the basis of Japanese karate. Its main difference from karate is the large number of kicks.

30) A weightlifting competition involves the snatch and clean and jerk. The snatch is an exercise in which the athlete lifts a barbell from a platform to full arm length overhead in one motion. When lifting a sports equipment, your legs may be apart or bent, and the bar may slide along your hips and knees.

31) The goal of the fencer is to inflict a thrust on the opponent and avoid the thrust himself. Victory is awarded to the one who is the first to inflict a certain number of injections on the opponent in accordance with the rules or inflict more such injections in a set period of time.

32) The essence of football is that 2 teams of 11 people each try to score a goal against the opponent by kicking or heading the ball.

33) The essence of field hockey is for the players of two teams of 11 people each to hit the ball into the opponent’s goal with a stick as many times as possible and not let it into their own.

34) Rhythmic gymnastics is an Olympic sport in which female athletes compete in the technical skill and expressiveness of performing complex body movements combined with the manipulation of objects to music.