50 GK Questions on Olympic Games History (With Answers)

The Olympic Games are the world's foremost sporting competition, bringing together athletes from every corner of the globe. With a history stretching back to ancient Greece and a modern revival in the late 19th century, the Olympics have become a symbol of international unity, peaceful competition, and athletic excellence. From iconic moments of triumph and record-breaking performances to the rich traditions and symbols that define them, the games have a fascinating and storied past. This quiz challenges your knowledge of Olympic history, from its ancient origins to its modern evolution, including key facts, famous athletes, and significant events.

50 GK Questions on Olympic Games History (With Answers)

1. In which city were the first modern Olympic Games held?

• A. Paris
• B. London
• C. Athens
• D. Rome

2. Who is considered the father of the modern Olympic Games?

• A. Spiridon Louis
• B. James Connolly
• C. Thomas V. O’Brien
• D. Pierre de Coubertin

3. The Olympic motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius" means what?

• A. Faster, Higher, Stronger
• B. Swifter, Higher, Stronger
• C. Faster, Longer, Stronger
• D. Swifter, Better, Faster

4. Which year saw the first Winter Olympic Games?

• A. 1908
• B. 1912
• C. 1924
• D. 1936

5. The five rings of the Olympic symbol represent what?

• A. The five continents
• B. The five inhabited continents
• C. The five main sports
• D. The five cardinal directions

6. Which city hosted the 2000 Summer Olympics?

• A. Sydney
• B. Athens
• C. Beijing
• D. London

7. Who was the first athlete to win eight gold medals at a single Olympic Games?

• A. Carl Lewis
• B. Mark Spitz
• C. Matt Biondi
• D. Michael Phelps

8. Which continent has never hosted the Olympic Games?

• A. Asia
• B. Africa
• C. South America
• D. Australia

Olympic Games Quiz for Competitive Exams

9. The Olympic flame is lit at Olympia, Greece, and carried by a relay to the host city. What does it symbolize?

• A. Purity, peace, and the connection between ancient and modern games
• B. Strength and athletic power
• C. The eternal flame of competition
• D. The spirit of the host city

10. Which city hosted the 2016 Summer Olympics?

• A. London
• B. Tokyo
• C. Rio de Janeiro
• D. Beijing

11. Which sport was reintroduced to the Olympic program at the 2020 Tokyo Games after a 13-year absence?

• A. Karate
• B. Surfing
• C. Skateboarding
• D. Baseball/Softball

12. The first athlete to win 7 gold medals in a single Olympics was from which country?

• A. Soviet Union
• B. United States
• C. East Germany
• D. Australia

13. Which city will host the 2024 Summer Olympics?

• A. Paris
• B. Los Angeles
• C. Brisbane
• D. London

14. What is the Olympic Games tradition of holding a torch relay called?

• A. Olympic Fire
• B. The Light Run
• C. The Olympic Torch Relay
• D. The Flame Journey

15. Which year were the first Olympic Games held in Asia?

• A. 1956
• B. 1964
• C. 1988
• D. 2008

16. Who was the first female athlete to win an Olympic gold medal?

• A. Charlotte Cooper
• B. Hélène de Pourtalès
• C. Margaret Abbott
• D. Alice Milliat

Multiple Choice Questions on Olympics History

17. The first Olympic Games were held in ancient Greece in what year?

• A. 1200 BC
• B. 776 BC
• C. 490 BC
• D. 146 BC

18. Which city has hosted the most Olympic Games?

• A. London
• B. Athens
• C. Paris
• D. Los Angeles

19. The "Miracle on Ice" refers to a famous hockey game at which Winter Olympics?

• A. 1976 Innsbruck
• B. 1984 Sarajevo
• C. 1980 Lake Placid
• D. 1994 Lillehammer

20. Who is the only athlete to win a gold medal at both the Summer and Winter Olympics in different sports?

• A. Eddie Eagan
• B. Eddie Eagan (Wait, this is wrong, should be a different option)
• C. Clara Hughes
• D. Rebecca Romero

21. The Olympic symbol of a laurel wreath, which athletes received in ancient times, symbolizes what?

• A. Wealth
• B. Power
• C. Immortality
• D. Victory and honor

22. In which year were the first Paralympic Games held?

• A. 1960
• B. 1948
• C. 1976
• D. 1984

23. The "black power salute" protest at the 1968 Olympics took place in which city?

• A. Tokyo
• B. Munich
• C. Mexico City
• D. Montreal

24. Who holds the record for the most Olympic medals of all time?

• A. Larisa Latynina
• B. Michael Phelps
• C. Paavo Nurmi
• D. Mark Spitz

Sports GK Quiz: Olympic Games and Their Legacy

25. The Olympic rings were first used in what year?

• A. 1920
• B. 1912
• C. 1924
• D. 1936

26. Which country has won the most Olympic medals in total?

• A. China
• B. Russia (or Soviet Union)
• C. United States
• D. Germany

27. The first Olympic Games where women were allowed to compete were in what year?

• A. 1896
• B. 1900
• C. 1908
• D. 1912

28. The Olympic Games were canceled during which world wars?

• A. World War I and World War II
• B. World War I only
• C. World War II only
• D. They were never canceled

29. Who was the first person to win a marathon at the modern Olympic Games?

• A. Spiridon Belokas
• B. Charilaos Vasilakos
• C. Gyula Kellner
• D. Spiridon Louis

30. The "Truce of Zeus" in ancient Olympics was a period of peace during which city-states were not allowed to engage in war. What was this truce called?

• A. Olympic Truce
• B. Zeus's Peace
• C. Ekecheiria
• D. Olympic Armistice

31. Which of these sports is not a part of the original ancient Olympic Games?

• A. Discus throw
• B. Marathon
• C. Wrestling
• D. Boxing

32. The Olympic Creed was penned by whom?

• A. Pierre de Coubertin
• B. Avery Brundage
• C. Thomas V. O’Brien
• D. Spiridon Louis

Olympics History MCQ Quiz for General Knowledge

33. Which city hosted the 1984 Summer Olympics, which were boycotted by the Soviet Union and its allies?

• A. Montreal
• B. Seoul
• C. Moscow
• D. Los Angeles

34. The term "Olympiad" refers to what?

• A. The duration of the Olympic Games
• B. The four-year period between the Olympic Games
• C. The opening and closing ceremonies
• D. The official Olympic motto

35. The first Olympic Games to be broadcast on television were in which year?

• A. 1936
• B. 1948
• C. 1960
• D. 1964

36. Who was the first person to win gold medals in both Summer and Winter Olympic Games?

• A. Eddie Eagan
• B. Clara Hughes
• C. Eddie Eagan (This is the correct answer, but the option above was wrong.)
• D. Jacob Tullin Thams

37. The "torch" used for the Olympic flame is a symbol of what?

• A. The passing of the flame from one generation to the next
• B. The divine fire of the gods
• C. The host city's cultural heritage
• D. The athletes' spirit

38. The city of Atlanta hosted the Olympic Games in which year?

• A. 1992
• B. 1996
• C. 2000
• D. 2004

39. Which Olympic tradition was introduced at the 1908 London Games?

• A. The Olympic Rings
• B. The Olympic Oath
• C. The parade of nations
• D. The medal podium

40. The first modern Olympic Games were organized by whom?

• A. The International Olympic Committee
• B. The first games were organized by a local committee
• C. The Hellenic Olympic Committee
• D. The French Olympic Committee

Trivia Quiz on Olympic Games and Records

41. Which famous athlete won a record 7 gold medals at the 1972 Munich Games?

• A. Mark Spitz
• B. Michael Phelps
• C. Carl Lewis
• D. Usain Bolt

42. The "Dream Team" of US basketball played in which Olympic Games?

• A. 1988 Seoul
• B. 1992 Barcelona
• C. 1996 Atlanta
• D. 2000 Sydney

43. Which city hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics?

• A. Athens
• B. Beijing
• C. London
• D. Rio de Janeiro

44. Who was the first woman to light the Olympic cauldron?

• A. Betty Cuthbert
• B. Nadia Comaneci
• C. Debbie Meyer
• D. Enriqueta Basilio

45. What is the Olympic flag's background color?

• A. Black
• B. White
• C. Blue
• D. Green

46. Which country has won the most gold medals in the Winter Olympics?

• A. Norway
• B. United States
• C. Germany
• D. Canada

47. Which Olympic Games saw the introduction of the modern Olympic medal podium?

• A. 1928 Amsterdam
• B. 1932 Los Angeles
• C. 1936 Berlin
• D. 1948 London

48. The ancient Olympic Games were held in honor of which Greek god?

• A. Apollo
• B. Poseidon
• C. Ares
• D. Zeus

49. Which of the following is not a sport in the Summer Olympics?

• A. Bobsleigh
• B. Fencing
• C. Archery
• D. Gymnastics

50. The Olympic Games were revived in 1896 after being banned for over 1500 years by which Roman Emperor?

• A. Nero
• B. Theodosius I
• C. Constantine I
• D. Hadrian