The Ever-Expanding Olympic Program

the Olympic Games are constantly evolving. The competition system at the world’s biggest sporting event is becoming increasingly extensive. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, athletes competed in 42 different events. But not all sports have always been part of the Games.

Taekwondo debuted at the 2000 Sydney Olympics – photo: Quang Liem

Such as,Taekwondo wasn’t included until the 2000 Sydney Games. Marathon swimming and mountain biking are relatively recent additions, appearing for the first time at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Golf is a unique case – a “new yet old” sport. It returned to the Olympic program in Rio 2016 after a long absence. Golf was last featured at the 1904 Games in the USA, with participation limited to just the United States and Canada.

Golf was featured at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.