Summer Olympics quiz questions: track, field and glory

The Summer Olympics brings together athletes from over 200 nations. Here are ten questions about the Games' strangest stories, surprising rules and forgotten history.

1The marathon distance of 26 miles and 385 yards was set at the 1908 London Olympics. Why that oddly specific distance?Use in quizUse

Answer:So the Royal Family could watch the finish from their box at the stadium(click to reveal)

2At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, why did Jesse Owens' four gold medals particularly embarrass the host nation?Use in quizUse

Answer:Hitler's Nazi regime promoted Aryan racial superiority, and Owens was Black American(click to reveal)

3What happened to the Olympic flame during the 1976 Montreal Games when it was accidentally extinguished?Use in quizUse

Answer:An official relit it with his cigarette lighter (the ceremony had to be redone properly later)(click to reveal)

4The 1904 St. Louis marathon is considered the most chaotic in Olympic history. Name any bizarre incident that occurred.Use in quizUse

Answer:Accept any of: the "winner" rode most of the way in a car; another competitor was given rat poison as a stimulant; a runner was chased by dogs(click to reveal)

5What unusual item did athletes competing in the ancient Greek Olympics wear?Use in quizUse

Answer:Nothing - they competed naked(click to reveal)

6At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, what did Tommie Smith and John Carlos do on the medal podium that got them expelled?Use in quizUse

Answer:Raised black-gloved fists in a Black Power salute during the US national anthem(click to reveal)

7Why did the 1956 Olympics have equestrian events held in Stockholm while the rest was in Melbourne?Use in quizUse

Answer:Australian quarantine laws prevented horses entering the country(click to reveal)

8What unique distinction does the 1900 Paris Olympics hold regarding the competitors?Use in quizUse

Answer:Women competed for the first time(click to reveal)

9Which Olympic sport involves competitors shooting at targets while cross-country skiing?Use in quizUse

Answer:Biathlon (Winter Olympics)(click to reveal)

10In Olympic swimming, what stroke must be used for the freestyle event?Use in quizUse

Answer:Any stroke (though everyone uses front crawl because it's fastest)(click to reveal)

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The next Summer Games are in Los Angeles in July 2028. If you'd rather go cold, there are Winter Olympics quiz questions too, and the quiz calendar lists the big dates until then.