1896 Summer Olympics was the 1st celebration of the modern Olympic Games. They had 14 nations participating and 241 athletes competed.
In Beijing in 2008, there were 204 nations that competed with 10,942 athletes. In 2010, the Vancouver Games had 82 countries competing with 2566 athletes.
• How does a sport become a part of the Olympic Games Program? What was the last sport to be added to the Summer Games? Winter Games?
The sport has to be recognized by the International Federation. If the sport is played around the world and meets a number of criteria established by the Program Commission then the sport may be added to the Olympic program. In 2008 Summer Olympics BMX, team table tennis and team fencing was added. In 2014 the winter events are adding women's ski jumping, team events for figure skating and luge, ski halfpipe and biathlon to the Black Se.
• What is the Olympic Charter?
The Olympic Charter is the codification of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, Rules and Bye-Laws adopted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It governs the organization, action and operation of the Olympic Movement and sets forth the conditions for the celebration of the Olympic Games.
• What constituencies comprise the governing structure of the Olympic Movement? Describe briefly the role of each.
The main constituents that comprise the governing structure of the Olympic Movement are the International Olympic Committee (“IOC”), the International Sports Federations (“IFs”) and the National Olympic Committees (“NOCs”).
The IOC organizes the modern Olympic Games every four years. The mission of the IOCs is to promote Olympism throughout the world. The committee on the IOC adopts or amends the Olympic Charter, elect members to the IOC, elect the