London 2012 Olympics: Athletes to Watch, and the Greatest Moments in Olympic History
The Olympics bring the world together and highlight cultural achievements in the athletic arena. As an international community, we come together with common goals, share experiences and make history. Here are just a couple highlights from Olympic history and some athletes to watch this year.
For more great moments in Olympic history, simply visit http://www.policymic.com/.
1896 – Athens | 14 Nations – 241 Athletes – 43 Events
Greek water-carrier Spyridon Louis won the first Olympic marathon in 2:58:50, making him a national hero.
1900 – Paris | 24 Nations – 997 Athletes – 95 Events
Held as part of the 1900 World’s Fair, the Games of the II Olympiad included some unusual events such as automobile and motorcycle racing, ballooning, cricket, croquet, and Basque pelota. Swiss sailor Hélène de Pourtalès became the first female Olympic champion as a member of the Swiss boat Lerina in the first race of 2-3 ton class.
1964 – Tokyo | 93 Nations – 5,151 Athletes – 163 Events
The Games of the XVIII Olympiad were the first Game to be held in Asia, the first games to be telecast internationally, and the debut of the Paralympic Games.
Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser became the first Olympic swimmer to win the same event (100m freestyle) at three consecutive Games, setting 27 individual and 12 team world records during her career.
2012 – London | 205 Nations – 10,500 Athletes – 302 Events
The Games of the XXX Olympiad, which will be held from July 27 to August 12, makes London the first city to officially host the modern Olympic Games three times.
Athletes to Watch:
The Games of the XXX Olympiad, which will be held from July 27 to August 12, makes London the first city to officially host the modern Olympic Games three times.
Athletes to Watch:
Ashton Eaton (USA) will be competing in the decathlon—already the world record holder—after breaking it at the Olympic Trials a few weeks ago.
Usain Bolt (JAM), challenged by newcomer Yohan Blake (JAM) in the Jamaican Trials, will ultimately destroy the field and shock the world once again in London.
American Swimmer Michael Phelps looks to maintain his dominance in swimming, but he’ll have to compete with fellow teammate Ryan Lochte to do so.
The matchup between Tom Daley (ENG) and Qiu Bo (CHN) in the 10m Platform will be the highlight of the Games. Daley was ranked number one in 2009 while Bo, nicknamed “Mr. Full Mark”, picked up 25 perfect 10s in the 2011 FINA Diving World Series in Beijing.
The rivalry between Brazilian beach volleyball pairing Juliana Felisberta Silva and Larissaa Franca, and the U.S. duo of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, has been going on for seven years. As the U.S. goes for an unprecedented third consecutive gold, Brazil will do everything in their power to make sure this doesn’t happen.
While unlikely to finish in the top three, Sarah Attar (800m) and Wodjan Shahrkhani will bemaking history by becoming the first women from Saudi Arabia to take part in the Olympic Games.
See more great moments in Olympic history at http://www.policymic.com/
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