Game On: Olympics Quiz

Image: David Madison/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Sure, the Summer and Winter Olympic Games each happen only every four years. But you can brush up on your Olympic knowledge anytime you like with this Olympics quiz. See if you can go for the gold!

In addition to Seiko, what other watch manufacturer is the only company in the world that meets Olympic timekeeping standards?

Rolex

Bulova

Omega

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

Only Seiko and Omega create timepieces precise enough to be used in Olympic games.

SCROLL TO NEXT QUESTION

Where is the Olympic torch first lit before each Olympiad?

the Temple of Hera

Mt. Olympus

the Acropolis

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

The Olympic torch is lit at the ancient Temple of Hera in Olympia.

SCROLL TO NEXT QUESTION

Which Olympics' opening ceremonies saw a man fly into the central stadium on a jet pack?

Beijing 2008

Montreal 1976

Los Angeles 1984

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

Bell engineer Bill Suitor wowed the crowds in Los Angeles Memorial Colesium when he ferried in on a jet pack during the 1984 games.

SCROLL TO NEXT QUESTION

Which of these did China do in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics?

stole spark plugs from citizens' cars so they couldn't run

constructed a giant vacuum that pumped air pollution from Beijing to Mongolia

shot cannons at clouds to make them rain

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

China shot cannons packed with silver iodide into the skies to impregnate clouds, causing them to rain. This helped ensure good weather and less air pollution for the 2008 games.

SCROLL TO NEXT QUESTION

It was reported that as many as 3,500 children born in China around the 2008 games were named "Olympics" by their parents. For what other Olympic theme were as many as 4,000 Chinese children named?

an Olympic mascot

2008

Zeus

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

Up to 4,000 children in China were named for one of the five 2008 Olympic mascots. Creative parents could choose from Bei Bei the fish, Jing Joing the panda, Huan Huan the Olympic Flame, Ying Ying the Tibetan antelope and Ni Ni the swallow.

SCROLL TO NEXT QUESTION

The pole vaulting event finds its roots in what real-world application?

using poles to cross canals

using poles to leap from tree to tree in search of food

using poles to move from rock to rock to escape giant man-eating worms

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

Pole vaulting originated in 19th-century Europe, where people crossed city canals using long poles.

SCROLL TO NEXT QUESTION

In the Olympic fencing event, the weapon used is called a:

sword

foil

lance

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

In fencing, the sword used in matches is called a foil. Other types called sabres and epees can also be used.

SCROLL TO NEXT QUESTION

Which of these events made its debut at the 1972 Olympics?

white-water canoe racing

rhythmic gymnastics

table tennis

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

White-water canoe racing, also called slalom canoeing, was added as an Olympic event in 1972. Table tennis made its debut in 1988; rhythmic gymnastics debuted in 1984.

SCROLL TO NEXT QUESTION

Which Canadian sprinter was stripped of a gold medal at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, after testing positive for anabolic steroids?

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Ben Johnson

Dwight Gooden

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

Sprinter Ben Johnson was stripped of his gold medal after a drug test came back positive for anabolic steroid use in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

SCROLL TO NEXT QUESTION

Which Native American won two gold medals for the United States in the 1912 Olympics before going on to become a football star?

Jim Thorpe

Jim Brown

Jim Taylor

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

Jim Thorpe won gold in the decathalon and pentahalon events in the 1912 Olympics. King Gustav of Sweden declared to Thorpe: "You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world." Thorpe replied, "Thanks, King."

FINISH QUIZ

You Got:

/10

David Madison/Getty Images