Cycling has been a part of the modern Olympic games since their inception in 1896. Originally the competition was for men only, but women’s cycling was added in 1988. There are seven men’s and three women’s events in track (indoor) cycling (illustrated above) and two events each in road cycling. In addition there is a men’s and women’s cross country mountain bike competition and new in 2008, a men’s and women’s BMX event.

The track cycling events in Beijing will be held August 15 – 19 at the Loashan Velodrome.

^{(photo © Newscom)}

Post from: EveryJoe

Summer Olympic Sports: Cycling

Canoe and Kayak events have been part of the Olympic summer games since 1936. Women’s events were added in 1948.

Canoe/Kayak events are divided into two categories: flatwater and slalom. There are nine mens and three womens events in the flatwater competition. Men use one and two-person-canoes and one, two, and four-person kayaks on 500m and 1000m runs. (The four-man kayak race is only run as a 1000m event.) Women use one, two, and four-person kayaks on 500m runs.

Slalom, or whitewater, events were added to the Olympics in 1972. There are three men’s events (one and two-person canoes and one-person kayaks) and one women’s event (one-person kayaks).

For the Beijing games, the canoe/kayak competition will take place at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park, located north of the city. The facility has 37,000 seats for spectactors.

^{(photo © newscom)}

Post from: EveryJoe

Summer Olympic Sports: Canoeing/Kayaking

Image details: Olympics – Around The Olympics Venues served by picapp.com

The Beijing Olympic Games are just slightly more than 100 days away. Just how much do you know about the Olympic Games and their history and traditions? For instance, did you know…?

• that the original Olympic games, called the PanHellenic Games in ancient Greece, were held as part of national religious festivals
• that women were not permitted to participate…or even watch…the Olympic games until the 2nd century A.D.
• that the first record of Olympic Games dates from 776 B.C.
• that the last record of the original Olympic Games was in 261 A.D.
• that the modern Olympics were reborn in Athens in 1896
• that the Olympic five-ring symbol was taken from an emblem on an altar in the ruins of ancient Delphi, in Greece.
• that the first Winter Games were held in 1924, in Chamonix, France

Post from: EveryJoe

Olympic Trivia

WIN 2 TICKETS ALL EXPENSES PAID INCLUDING AIR FARES TO THE 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES IN BEIJING , CHINA .

[Photo attached]

Don’t believe me? Well, I went right ahead and screen grabbed the email so I can show you guys.

I reckon none of us are going at all, yeah?

I actually LOL’d when I opened this email. Made my day. LOL. Hope you guys

Important note: This post is not meant to offend anyone but is simply to share a joke. I’m sure the photo has been *photoshop’d*. I believe every ‘foreigner’ sees locals all look the same way. I’m often like that whenever I travel to countries like Australia, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia. It’ll take me a while to register the name with a face (or vice versa) or to spot any differentiating aspect of the person.

Image: Sasha Manuel

Post from: EveryJoe

Guess the Twins and Win 2 All-Expenses Paid Tickets to Watch the Olympic Games in Beijing!