Entertainment | Sports | Inside the Olympic Games
The Olympics section gives you an insight into the Olympic sports and the Olympic spirit.
OLYMPICS CRASH COURSE: ALL THE STRANGE AND INCREDIBLE FACTS BEHIND THE GAMES
The Olympics haven't always been the pageantry-filled events they are today. Back in 1900, you might have taken in a tug-of-war contest before heading off to hot air ballooning. What other strange sports have existed in Olympic history?
Are the Olympics ever skipped?
London 2012 seems like a lock, which means we'll be camped in front of the screen watching all sorts of extraordinary athletic feats this summer. Have circumstances ever led to the cancellation of this awesome spectacle?
From the vantage point of the couch, they all look pretty amazing, but these five extraordinary people did some pretty crazy stuff to land on our list, like winning six medals. In one day.
How the Olympic Opening Ceremonies Work
Admit it: You cry every time you watch the parade of athletes in the opening ceremony. We do, too. What other official stuff goes down at this ultimate Olympic gala?
GOING FOR THE GOLD
Why do some countries seem to dominate the Olympics?
Watch the Olympics long enough, and you'll see athletes from the same countries hording all that gold, silver and bronze. But what if we looked at Olympic performance not just in terms of overall medal count?
How are cities chosen to host the Olympics?
The city you live in is pretty cool, right? Then how come it hasn't hosted the Olympics yet? Read this article and you might be on your (Olympic) way. Then again, it may make you rethink that grand vision.
Do the Olympic Games generate profits?
Ah yes, the Olympic flame burning bright is a lovely sight. You know what's an even lovelier sight for the host city? Piles of cash from putting on the esteemed athletic contest. Do those ever materialize?
History Buff: First Olympics Quiz
The first Olympics in ancient Greece were an arena to display athletic prowess for honor's sake. Think you're an expert in the ways of the Greek games? Grease up and try our quiz to find out if you're a gold medalist in ancient Olympic trivia.
Imagine cross-country skiing for 5 kilometers, then -- with your heart pounding, your legs shaking and your fingers chilled to the bone -- shooting five targets at 50 meters with exactly five shots.
How Competitive Figure Skating Works
Drama, beauty and intrigue abound among these often pint-sized athletes, compelling millions of people around the world to watch competitive figure skating and anticipate the fierce competition. What exactly is a triple lutz, and how is it scored?
In a track meet how are false starts detected?
When every fraction of a second counts, a false start can completely change the outcome of a race. How are officials quick enough detect a false start?
What are Olympic medals made of?
The top prize at the Olympics is the gold medal, and that's how it's always been, right? Not quite. How has the coveted Olympic prize changed over the years, and how much are they really worth?
Bobsled drivers and crew plummet down a hill on a track or run that's full of twists and turns. A wrong move can cause a dramatic crash. Learn about the athletes that make up a bobsled team, bobsled runs and the physics behind bobsledding.
At its most basic level, a marathon is 26.2 miles. But it's also an intense physical and emotional journey. What's the story behind the race and the people who run it?
The pole vault originated in Europe where men used the pole to cross canals filled with water. In this article we will learn a little bit about the history of pole vaulting and then explore the physics of the sport.
Luge is one of the most dangerous sports in the Olympic games and the athletes who race down the icy high-banked track at up to 90 mph (140 kph) are a special breed.
