Question 1

True or false: The Olympic Games originated in Athens, Greece in 776 BC.

Accepted Answer

False. The ancient Olympic Games began in Olympia, not Athens, in 776 BC. Athens hosted the first modern Games in 1896.

Question 2

True or false: The Olympic Games have never been canceled due to war.

Accepted Answer

False. The Olympic Games were canceled in 1916, 1940, and 1944 because of World War I and World War II.

Question 3

True or false: The Olympic Games saw the debut of women's marathon in 1984.

Accepted Answer

True. Women first competed in the Olympic marathon at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, won by Joan Benoit of the United States.

Question 4

True or false: The Olympic Games always award gold medals to first-place athletes since their modern revival in 1896.

Accepted Answer

False. In 1896, winners received silver medals; gold, silver, and bronze medals were introduced at the 1904 Olympics.

Question 5

True or false: The Olympic Games were held in 2021 in Tokyo due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accepted Answer

True. The 2020 Summer Olympics were postponed to 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, retaining the Tokyo 2020 name.

Question 6

True or false: The Olympic Games have awarded gold medals made of silver with gold plating since 1912.

Accepted Answer

False. The 1912 Stockholm Olympics awarded the last solid gold medals. Since 1920, gold medals have been made of silver with gold plating.

Question 7

True or false: The Olympic Games included a tug-of-war competition from 1900 to 1920.

Accepted Answer

True. Tug-of-war was an Olympic event at the 1900, 1904, 1908, 1912, and 1920 Games before being discontinued.

Question 8

True or false: The Olympic Games include the sport of chess as a demonstration event.

Accepted Answer

False. Chess has never been an Olympic sport or demonstration event, though it is recognized by the IOC as a sport outside the Games.

The Olympic Games Trivia Questions