Facts & Stats

Olympic records, controversies and the intersection of sport with politics, doping and environmental issues. Articles examine world records, famous ceremonies, scandals and how external factors have affected the Games.

Doping at the Olympic Games

How drug testing became part of the Olympics and the biggest cheating scandals that rocked the Games.

Greatest Olympic Controversies

Zola Budd's collision with Mary Decker at the 1984 Olympics sparked outrage that overshadowed the race itself.

Olympic Games Award Ceremonies

How Olympic medal ceremonies have evolved from ancient olive wreaths to modern gold medals, and the political controversies that have marked them.

Olympic Games: Famous Opening Ceremonies

See how Olympic opening ceremonies have evolved from simple affairs to spectacular productions featuring giant jellyfish, jet-packs and thousands of performers.

The Effect of Pollution on the 2008 Games in China

Beijing's severe air pollution improved dramatically during the 2008 Olympics, though concerns nearly forced event cancellations and kept some athletes away.

The Olympic Flame

How the Olympic flame became an iconic symbol, from ancient Zeus worship to the first modern torch relay in 1936.

The Olympic Games and Politics

The Olympics have been a stage for political protests and boycotts since Hitler's 1936 Berlin Games, despite rules banning political activity.

The Olympic Games and Violence

The 1972 Munich Olympics massacre killed 11 people and exposed how a terrorist attack unfolded on live TV while the Games continued.

World Records Achieved at the Olympics

Mexico City's thin air in 1968 led to a flood of Olympic world records that many athletes couldn't break for decades.