🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 62 (from laksa051)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa062.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.britannica.com/event/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.britannica.com/event/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games","crawl_time":1776125446,"first_indexed_time":1645776145,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,britannica!www,\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games s443","src_root_hash":"5455945239613777662","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games | Selection, Hosts, Organization, Controversies, Medals, & Facts | Britannica","meta_descriptions":["The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games were an international athletic competition held in Beijing, China, that took place February 4–20, 2022. It was the 24th edition of the Winter Olympic Games. Most of the events were closed to the public because of health protocols related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Norway topped the medals table, followed by the Russian Olympic Committee and Germany."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Top Questions\nWhich athlete won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games?\nWhich countries won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics?\nHow many medals did the United States team win at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics?\nThe\nBeijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games\nwere an international athletic competition held in\nBeijing\n,\nChina\n, that took place February 4–20, 2022. It was the 24th edition of the\nWinter Olympic Games\n. Beijing became the first city to host both the\nSummer Olympics\nand the Winter Olympics, having previously hosted the Summer Games in\n2008\n. In the lead-up to the Games, China faced\ncriticism\nrelated to its\nhuman rights\nrecord and calls for a diplomatic\nboycott\nof the competition. Most of the events were closed to the public because of health\nprotocols\nrelated to the\nongoing\nCOVID-19\npandemic\n.\nBidding and host selection\nIn 2013 the\nInternational Olympic Committee\n(IOC) called for bids to host the 2022 Winter Games. Six cities—\nStockholm\n;\nKraków\n, Poland;\nOslo\n;\nLviv\n, Ukraine;\nAlmaty\n, Kazakhstan; and Beijing—submitted initial bids. By mid-2014 the four European cities had withdrawn their applications, most of them citing the high costs and stringent rules related to hosting the Games; Lviv withdrew because of\nRussia’s covert invasion of eastern Ukraine\nin 2014.\nNorway:\n37\nRussian Olympic Committee:\n32\nGermany:\n27\nCanada:\n26\nUnited States:\n25\nNote: Medal count per the\nIOC website\n.\nIn early 2015 an IOC commission visited both Almaty and Beijing to evaluate their bids and readiness to host the Games. Almaty’s pitch highlighted that city’s favorable climate and proximity to snow-covered mountains, whereas Beijing cited its successful hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics and ability to use artificial snow to make up for its lack of natural\nvenues\nfor winter\nsports\n. In a surprisingly close vote of 44–40 on July 31, 2015, the IOC delegates selected the heavy favorite China as host of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.\nBritannica Quiz\nThe Olympics Quiz\nVenues and organization\nThe Beijing Games took place across three different “zones.” The opening and closing ceremonies were held at the 80,000-seat capacity\nBeijing National Stadium\n, also known as the Bird’s Nest, which had been built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. The Beijing zone made use of several other venues from the 2008 Games, including the National Aquatics Stadium, nicknamed the Water Cube, which was turned into the “Ice Cube” and used for\ncurling\n. The capital city also hosted\nice hockey\n,\nspeed skating\n, big air skiing and snowboarding, and\nfigure skating\nevents. A second zone, in Yanqing district, 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Beijing, hosted the\nAlpine skiing\nand sliding (\nbobsled\n,\nluge\n,\nskeleton\n) events. A third zone was centered on\nZhangjiakou\n, a popular skiing destination more than 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Beijing, and hosted all the other skiing and\nsnowboarding\nevents. Each zone had its own Olympic village to house athletes. In preparation for the Games, China constructed a new\nhigh-speed railway\nbetween Beijing and Zhangjiakou that was completed in 2019.\nThe mascot for the 2022 Games was a\ngiant panda\ncharacter called Bing Dwen Dwen. The word\nbing\nin\nMandarin\nhas multiple meanings, including “ice,” and can also connote purity and strength.\nDwen dwen\nmeans “robust and lively” and also “children.” The\nmotto\nof the Games was “Together for a shared future.”\nThe Games took place more than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. As with the\n2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games\n(delayed until 2021), stringent safety and health protocols were followed at the Beijing Games. Athletes and Olympics staff were required to undergo daily testing. All the competition venues, stadiums, catering, and accommodations were closed to the public, and participants also used separate transportation. Athletes who were not\nvaccinated\nwere required to quarantine for 21 days upon arrival. Overseas fans were not allowed, and only a few Chinese spectators, subject to health regulations and processes, were allowed in certain events.\nCompetition and results\nErin Jackson\nAmerican speed skater Erin Jackson races toward victory in the 500-meter long-track event at the 2022 Winter Olympics.\nThe 2022 Games featured 109 events across 15 Olympic winter sports. Seven new events were added: women’s monobob, men’s and women’s\nfreestyle skiing\nbig air, and mixed team events in\nshort-track speed skating\n,\nski jumping\n, freestyle skiing\naerials\n, and snowboard cross. The Beijing Games were the most gender-balanced Olympics to that point, with more than 45 percent of the 2,834 participants being women. A total of 91 Olympic committees sent athletes to the Games, 29 of which won at least one medal. Although Russia was banned from sending athletes because of sanctions related to doping, Russian athletes were allowed to compete under the “Russian Olympic Committee” name.\nTrusted knowledge for those who want to know more.\nSUBSCRIBE\nNathan Chen\nAmerican figure skater Nathan Chen spinning during a jump element while competing at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, February 8, 2022.\nStandout performers at the Games included Eileen (Ailing) Gu, an American-born skier competing for China who won two gold medals and one silver medal in freestyle skiing events, and Nathan Chen, an American figure skater who set a world record in the individual short program en route to winning an individual gold and also earned a team gold medal. Biathletes Johannes Thingnes Bø (Norway), Quentin Fillon Maillet (France), and Marte Olsbu Røiseland (Norway) and cross-country skier Alexander Bolshunov (ROC) won the most medals at the Games with five each. Bø had the most gold medals with four.\nAccording to research commissioned by the IOC, a global audience of more than two billion people viewed the Games across broadcast and Internet platforms, a 5 percent increase over the previous Winter Games, held in\n2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea\n.\nSeveral countries, including the\nUnited States\n,\nCanada\n, and India, declared a diplomatic boycott of the Games and did not send any officials or ministers to attend. The United States and others cited China’s\nalleged\natrocities, including forced internment and sterilization, against the\nUyghur\nminority population in the\nUyghur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang\n, as the reason for their boycott. China criticized the move as a politicization of the Olympics, and, in a choice interpreted by skeptical observers in the West as a defiant gesture, it assigned cross-country skier Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a Uyghur from Xinjiang, to light the Olympic flame at the opening ceremonies.\nQuick Facts\nDate:\nFebruary 4, 2022 - February 20, 2022\nThe biggest sports-related controversy at the 2022 Games was\ndoping\nallegations against Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who was 15 years old at the time. Valieva helped her team win gold in the team event, but several days later a sample taken from Valieva in December 2021 was revealed to have tested positive for a banned substance. Valieva was permitted to compete in the individual women’s event, in which she was considered the heavy favorite, but she finished in fourth place. In January 2024 a ruling by the Court of Arbitration of Sport retroactively disqualified Valieva from the 2022 Games, stripping the Russian Olympic Committee of its team gold medal.","attrs_markdown":"[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel\/eb-logo\/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/)\n\n[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel\/eb-logo\/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/)\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen)\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav-mobile&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen)\n\nLogin\n\nhttps:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm\\_source=premium\\&utm\\_medium=nav-login-box\\&utm\\_campaign=evergreen\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=blue)\n\n[Ask the Chatbot](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/chatbot)\n\n[Games & Quizzes](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/browse) [History & Society](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/History-Society) [Science & Tech](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Science-Tech) [Biographies](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Biographies) [Animals & Nature](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Animals-Nature) [Geography & Travel](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Geography-Travel) [Arts & Culture](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Arts-Culture) [ProCon](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/procon) [Money](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/money) [Videos](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/videos)\n\n[Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games)\n\n- [Introduction & Top Questions](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games)\n- [Bidding and host selection](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games#ref384327)\n- [Venues and organization](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games#ref384328)\n- [Competition and results](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games#ref384329)\n- [Controversies](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games#ref384330)\n\n[References & Edit History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games\/additional-info)  [Quick Facts & Related Topics](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/facts\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games)\n\n[Images](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games\/images-videos)\n\n[![Clement Noel](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/63\/253463-004-73D85AF8\/Clement-Noel-slalom-Beijing-Winter-Olympics-2022.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/63\/253463-050-D43DA380\/Clement-Noel-slalom-Beijing-Winter-Olympics-2022.jpg)  [![Opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Olympics](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/86\/246686-004-18000AC8\/fireworks-Olympic-rings-Beijing-2022-Winter-Olympic-games.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/86\/246686-050-6EF5B147\/fireworks-Olympic-rings-Beijing-2022-Winter-Olympic-games.jpg)  [![Speed skater Erin Jackson leaning deeply as she races along a curve on an iced oval track.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/68\/231168-004-1E9DE6A0\/Erin-Jackson-Team-United-States-Womens-500m-speed-skating-gold-medal-winner.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/68\/231168-050-A0043A21\/Erin-Jackson-Team-United-States-Womens-500m-speed-skating-gold-medal-winner.jpg)  [![Nathan Chen](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/54\/231054-004-A09CD12F\/Nathan-Chen-Winter-Olympics-2022-Short-program.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/54\/231054-050-D916A8F4\/Nathan-Chen-Winter-Olympics-2022-Short-program.jpg)  [![Demonstrator calling for a boycott of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/08\/252508-004-8B004A7B\/A-man-is-seen-holding-a-placard-asking-for-boycott-Beijing-during-the-demonstration.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/08\/252508-050-E819A52D\/A-man-is-seen-holding-a-placard-asking-for-boycott-Beijing-during-the-demonstration.jpg)  [![Flying high](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/46\/281046-004-7BC4346A\/Freestyle-skier-Eileen-Gu-Gu-Ailing-competes-Freeski-Halfpipe-Final-Beijing-2022-Winter-Olympics.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/46\/281046-050-055F4B86\/Freestyle-skier-Eileen-Gu-Gu-Ailing-competes-Freeski-Halfpipe-Final-Beijing-2022-Winter-Olympics.jpg)  [![Lindsey Jacobellis](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/16\/231216-004-1E24ABA1\/Lindsey-Jacobellis-Snowboard-cross-2022-Olympics-Beijing.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/16\/231216-050-420887B5\/Lindsey-Jacobellis-Snowboard-cross-2022-Olympics-Beijing.jpg)  [![Lindsey Jacobellis](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/17\/231217-004-CB0AAD06\/Lindsey-Jacobellis-Snowboard-cross-2022-Olympics-Beijing-gold-medal-ceremony.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/17\/231217-050-FA960EFE\/Lindsey-Jacobellis-Snowboard-cross-2022-Olympics-Beijing-gold-medal-ceremony.jpg)\n\nQuizzes\n\n[![Silhouette of hand holding sport torch behind the rings of an Olympic flag, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; February 3, 2015.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/44\/190944-131-7D082864\/Silhouette-hand-sport-torch-flag-rings-Olympic-February-3-2015.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/the-olympics-quiz)\n\n[The Olympics Quiz](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/the-olympics-quiz)\n\nRelated Questions\n\n- [Which countries won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/Which-countries-won-the-most-medals-at-the-Beijing-2022-Winter-Olympics)\n- [Why is Sun Yat-sen important?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/Why-is-Sun-Yat-sen-important)\n- [What was Sun Yat-sen’s childhood like?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/What-was-Sun-Yat-sens-childhood-like)\n- [What was Sun Yat-sen’s occupation?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/What-was-Sun-Yat-sens-occupation)\n- [What is Sun Yat-sen remembered for?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/What-is-Sun-Yat-sen-remembered-for)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)\n\nAsk Anything\n\nQuick Summary\n\n[Sports & Recreation](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Sports-Recreation)    [Olympic Sports](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Olympic-Sports)\n\nCITE\n\nShare\n\nFeedback\n\nExternal Websites\n\n[![Clement Noel](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/63\/253463-050-D43DA380\/Clement-Noel-slalom-Beijing-Winter-Olympics-2022.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/63\/253463-050-D43DA380\/Clement-Noel-slalom-Beijing-Winter-Olympics-2022.jpg)\n\n[Clement Noel](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/63\/253463-050-D43DA380\/Clement-Noel-slalom-Beijing-Winter-Olympics-2022.jpg) French skier Clement Noel competing in the slalom at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the National Alpine Ski Centre in Yanqing district, China, on February 16, 2022.\n\n(more)\n\n# Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games\nHomework Help\n\nAlso known as: Beijing 2022 Olympic Games\n\nWritten by\n\n[Sanat Pai Raikar Sanat Pai Raikar is a quizmaster and writer based out of Bangalore, India. His first quiz book, *Three's A Quiz*, was written from memory. Sanat has cofounded Quizarre, which provides quiz, crossword,...](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/contributor\/sanat-pai-raikar\/12616791)\n\nSanat Pai Raikar\n\nFact-checked by\n\n[Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica\/4419)\n\nBritannica Editors\n\nLast updated\n\nMar. 1, 2026\n\n•[History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games\/additional-info#history)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Britannica AI\n\nAsk Anything\n\nQuick Summary\n\nTable of Contents\n\nTable of Contents\n\nQuick Summary\n\nAsk Anything\n\nTop Questions\n\n### Which athlete won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games?\n[Biathletes](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/biathlon) Johannes Thingnes Bø (Norway), Quentin Fillon Maillet (France), and Marte Olsbu Røiseland (Norway) and [cross-country skier](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/cross-country-skiing) Alexander Bolshunov (ROC) won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games with five each. Bø had the most gold medals with four.\n\n### Which countries won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics?\nNorway won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games with 37, followed by the Russian Olympic Committee with 32, Germany with 27, Canada with 26, and the United States with 25. (Although Russia was banned from sending athletes because of sanctions related to [doping](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/doping), Russian athletes were allowed to compete under the “Russian Olympic Committee” name.)\n\n### How many medals did the United States team win at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics?\nThe United States won 25 total medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. These included nine gold medals, nine silver medals, and seven bronze medals.\n\nThe **Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games** were an international athletic competition held in [Beijing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Beijing), [China](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/China), that took place February 4–20, 2022. It was the 24th edition of the [Winter Olympic Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Origins-of-the-Olympic-Winter-Games). Beijing became the first city to host both the [Summer Olympics](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Summer-Olympic-Games) and the Winter Olympics, having previously hosted the Summer Games in [2008](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2008-Olympic-Games). In the lead-up to the Games, China faced [criticism](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/criticism) related to its [human rights](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/human-rights) record and calls for a diplomatic [boycott](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/boycott) of the competition. Most of the events were closed to the public because of health [protocols](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/protocols) related to the [ongoing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/COVID-19-pandemic) [COVID-19](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/COVID-19) [pandemic](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/pandemic).\n\n## Bidding and host selection\nIn 2013 the [International Olympic Committee](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/International-Olympic-Committee) (IOC) called for bids to host the 2022 Winter Games. Six cities—[Stockholm](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Stockholm); [Kraków](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Krakow), Poland; [Oslo](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Oslo); [Lviv](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Lviv-Ukraine), Ukraine; [Almaty](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Almaty-Kazakhstan), Kazakhstan; and Beijing—submitted initial bids. By mid-2014 the four European cities had withdrawn their applications, most of them citing the high costs and stringent rules related to hosting the Games; Lviv withdrew because of [Russia’s covert invasion of eastern Ukraine](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/2022-Russian-invasion-of-Ukraine) in 2014.\n\nMost Medals by Country\n\n- **Norway:** 37\n- **Russian Olympic Committee:** 32\n- **Germany:** 27\n- **Canada:** 26\n- **United States:** 25\n\nNote: Medal count per the [IOC website](https:\/\/olympics.com\/en\/olympic-games\/beijing-2022\/medals).\n\nIn early 2015 an IOC commission visited both Almaty and Beijing to evaluate their bids and readiness to host the Games. Almaty’s pitch highlighted that city’s favorable climate and proximity to snow-covered mountains, whereas Beijing cited its successful hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics and ability to use artificial snow to make up for its lack of natural [venues](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/venues) for winter [sports](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/sports). In a surprisingly close vote of 44–40 on July 31, 2015, the IOC delegates selected the heavy favorite China as host of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.\n\n[![Silhouette of hand holding sport torch behind the rings of an Olympic flag, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; February 3, 2015.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/44\/190944-131-7D082864\/Silhouette-hand-sport-torch-flag-rings-Olympic-February-3-2015.jpg) Britannica Quiz The Olympics Quiz](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/the-olympics-quiz)\n\n## Venues and organization\n[![Opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Olympics](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/86\/246686-050-6EF5B147\/fireworks-Olympic-rings-Beijing-2022-Winter-Olympic-games.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/86\/246686-050-6EF5B147\/fireworks-Olympic-rings-Beijing-2022-Winter-Olympic-games.jpg)\n\n[Opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Olympics](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/86\/246686-050-6EF5B147\/fireworks-Olympic-rings-Beijing-2022-Winter-Olympic-games.jpg)Fireworks in the shape of the Olympic rings lighting up the sky above the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Beijing, February 4, 2022.\n\n(more)\n\nThe Beijing Games took place across three different “zones.” The opening and closing ceremonies were held at the 80,000-seat capacity [Beijing National Stadium](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Beijing-National-Stadium), also known as the Bird’s Nest, which had been built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. The Beijing zone made use of several other venues from the 2008 Games, including the National Aquatics Stadium, nicknamed the Water Cube, which was turned into the “Ice Cube” and used for [curling](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/curling). The capital city also hosted [ice hockey](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ice-hockey), [speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/speed-skating), big air skiing and snowboarding, and [figure skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/figure-skating) events. A second zone, in Yanqing district, 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Beijing, hosted the [Alpine skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Alpine-skiing) and sliding ([bobsled](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/bobsledding), [luge](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/lugeing), [skeleton](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/skeleton-sledding)) events. A third zone was centered on [Zhangjiakou](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Kalgan), a popular skiing destination more than 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Beijing, and hosted all the other skiing and [snowboarding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/snowboarding) events. Each zone had its own Olympic village to house athletes. In preparation for the Games, China constructed a new [high-speed railway](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/high-speed-rail) between Beijing and Zhangjiakou that was completed in 2019.\n\nThe mascot for the 2022 Games was a [giant panda](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/animal\/giant-panda) character called Bing Dwen Dwen. The word *bing* in [Mandarin](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Mandarin-language) has multiple meanings, including “ice,” and can also connote purity and strength. *Dwen dwen* means “robust and lively” and also “children.” The [motto](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/motto) of the Games was “Together for a shared future.”\n\nThe Games took place more than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. As with the [2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Tokyo-2020-Olympic-Games) (delayed until 2021), stringent safety and health protocols were followed at the Beijing Games. Athletes and Olympics staff were required to undergo daily testing. All the competition venues, stadiums, catering, and accommodations were closed to the public, and participants also used separate transportation. Athletes who were not [vaccinated](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/COVID-19-vaccine) were required to quarantine for 21 days upon arrival. Overseas fans were not allowed, and only a few Chinese spectators, subject to health regulations and processes, were allowed in certain events.\n\n## Competition and results\n[![Speed skater Erin Jackson leaning deeply as she races along a curve on an iced oval track.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/68\/231168-050-A0043A21\/Erin-Jackson-Team-United-States-Womens-500m-speed-skating-gold-medal-winner.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/68\/231168-050-A0043A21\/Erin-Jackson-Team-United-States-Womens-500m-speed-skating-gold-medal-winner.jpg)\n\n[Erin Jackson](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/68\/231168-050-A0043A21\/Erin-Jackson-Team-United-States-Womens-500m-speed-skating-gold-medal-winner.jpg)American speed skater Erin Jackson races toward victory in the 500-meter long-track event at the 2022 Winter Olympics.\n\n(more)\n\nThe 2022 Games featured 109 events across 15 Olympic winter sports. Seven new events were added: women’s monobob, men’s and women’s [freestyle skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/freestyle-skiing) big air, and mixed team events in [short-track speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/short-track-speed-skating), [ski jumping](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ski-jumping), freestyle skiing [aerials](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/aerials), and snowboard cross. The Beijing Games were the most gender-balanced Olympics to that point, with more than 45 percent of the 2,834 participants being women. A total of 91 Olympic committees sent athletes to the Games, 29 of which won at least one medal. Although Russia was banned from sending athletes because of sanctions related to doping, Russian athletes were allowed to compete under the “Russian Olympic Committee” name.\n\nExplore Britannica Premium\\!\n\nTrusted knowledge for those who want to know more.\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=shorter-2026)\n\n![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-left.webp)\n\n![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-right.webp)\n\n![Mobile](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-mobile.webp?w=400)\n\n[![Nathan Chen](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/54\/231054-050-D916A8F4\/Nathan-Chen-Winter-Olympics-2022-Short-program.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/54\/231054-050-D916A8F4\/Nathan-Chen-Winter-Olympics-2022-Short-program.jpg)\n\n[Nathan Chen](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/54\/231054-050-D916A8F4\/Nathan-Chen-Winter-Olympics-2022-Short-program.jpg)American figure skater Nathan Chen spinning during a jump element while competing at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, February 8, 2022.\n\n(more)\n\nStandout performers at the Games included Eileen (Ailing) Gu, an American-born skier competing for China who won two gold medals and one silver medal in freestyle skiing events, and Nathan Chen, an American figure skater who set a world record in the individual short program en route to winning an individual gold and also earned a team gold medal. Biathletes Johannes Thingnes Bø (Norway), Quentin Fillon Maillet (France), and Marte Olsbu Røiseland (Norway) and cross-country skier Alexander Bolshunov (ROC) won the most medals at the Games with five each. Bø had the most gold medals with four.\n\nAccording to research commissioned by the IOC, a global audience of more than two billion people viewed the Games across broadcast and Internet platforms, a 5 percent increase over the previous Winter Games, held in [2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Pyeongchang-2018-Winter-Olympic-Games).\n\n## Controversies\n[![Demonstrator calling for a boycott of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/08\/252508-050-E819A52D\/A-man-is-seen-holding-a-placard-asking-for-boycott-Beijing-during-the-demonstration.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/08\/252508-050-E819A52D\/A-man-is-seen-holding-a-placard-asking-for-boycott-Beijing-during-the-demonstration.jpg)\n\n[Demonstrator calling for a boycott of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/08\/252508-050-E819A52D\/A-man-is-seen-holding-a-placard-asking-for-boycott-Beijing-during-the-demonstration.jpg)A man holding a placard asking for a boycott of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games on January 29, 2022, Amsterdam, Netherlands.\n\n(more)\n\nSeveral countries, including the [United States](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/United-States), [Canada](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Canada), and India, declared a diplomatic boycott of the Games and did not send any officials or ministers to attend. The United States and others cited China’s [alleged](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/alleged) atrocities, including forced internment and sterilization, against the [Uyghur](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Uyghur) minority population in the [Uyghur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Xinjiang), as the reason for their boycott. China criticized the move as a politicization of the Olympics, and, in a choice interpreted by skeptical observers in the West as a defiant gesture, it assigned cross-country skier Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a Uyghur from Xinjiang, to light the Olympic flame at the opening ceremonies.\n\nQuick Facts\n\nDate:\n\nFebruary 4, 2022 - February 20, 2022\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nLocation:\n\n[China](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/China)\n\n[Beijing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Beijing)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\n[See all related content](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/facts\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games)\n\nThe biggest sports-related controversy at the 2022 Games was [doping](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/story\/olympics-a-survey-of-banned-substances) allegations against Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who was 15 years old at the time. Valieva helped her team win gold in the team event, but several days later a sample taken from Valieva in December 2021 was revealed to have tested positive for a banned substance. Valieva was permitted to compete in the individual women’s event, in which she was considered the heavy favorite, but she finished in fourth place. In January 2024 a ruling by the Court of Arbitration of Sport retroactively disqualified Valieva from the 2022 Games, stripping the Russian Olympic Committee of its team gold medal.\n\n[Sanat Pai Raikar](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/contributor\/Sanat-Pai-Raikar\/12616791)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)Britannica AI\n\n*chevron\\_right*\n\nBeijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games\n\n*close*\n\n[AI-generated answers](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.\n\n[Olympic Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games)\n\n- [Introduction & Top Questions](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games)\n- [The ancient Olympic Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games#ref59589)\n  - [Origins](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games#ref249541)\n  \n  - [Competition and status](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games#ref249542)\n  \n  - [Women and the Olympic Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Women-and-the-Olympic-Games)\n  \n  - [Demise of the Olympics](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Women-and-the-Olympic-Games#ref59591)\n- [The modern Olympic movement](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Women-and-the-Olympic-Games#ref59593)\n  - [Revival of the Olympics](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Women-and-the-Olympic-Games#ref249544)\n  \n  - [Organization](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Women-and-the-Olympic-Games#ref249545)\n    - [The International Olympic Committee](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Women-and-the-Olympic-Games#ref249546)\n      - [The awarding of the Olympic Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Women-and-the-Olympic-Games#ref249547)\n      - [Corruption](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Corruption)\n      - [Political pressures](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Corruption#ref249549)\n      - [Commercialization](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Corruption#ref249550)\n    - [National Olympic committees, international federations, and organizing committees](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Corruption#ref249551)\n    - [Programs and participation](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Programs-and-participation)\n      - [Amateurism versus professionalism](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Programs-and-participation#ref249553)\n      - [Doping and drug testing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Programs-and-participation#ref249554)\n  \n  - [Ritual and symbolism](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Programs-and-participation#ref59599)\n    - [Olympic ceremonies](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Programs-and-participation#ref60481)\n      - [The opening ceremony](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Programs-and-participation#ref249555)\n      - [The medal ceremonies](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Programs-and-participation#ref249556)\n      - [The closing ceremony](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Programs-and-participation#ref249557)\n    - [Olympic symbols](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Olympic-symbols)\n      - [The flag](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Olympic-symbols#ref249558)\n      - [The motto](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Olympic-symbols#ref249559)\n      - [The flame and torch relay](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Olympic-symbols#ref249560)\n      - [Mascots](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Olympic-symbols#ref249561)\n- [History of the modern Summer Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/History-of-the-modern-Summer-Games)\n  - [Athens, Greece, 1896](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/History-of-the-modern-Summer-Games#ref59602)\n  \n  - [Paris, France, 1900](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/History-of-the-modern-Summer-Games#ref59603)\n  \n  - [St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., 1904](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/History-of-the-modern-Summer-Games#ref249562)\n  \n  - [Athens, Greece, 1906](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/History-of-the-modern-Summer-Games#ref249563)\n  \n  - [London, England, 1908](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/London-England-1908)\n  \n  - [Stockholm, Sweden, 1912](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/London-England-1908#ref59606)\n  \n  - [Antwerp, Belgium, 1920](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/London-England-1908#ref59607)\n  \n  - [Paris, France, 1924](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/London-England-1908#ref59608)\n  \n  - [Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1928](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/London-England-1908#ref59609)\n  \n  - [Los Angeles, California, U.S., 1932](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/London-England-1908#ref59610)\n  \n  - [Berlin, Germany, 1936](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Berlin-Germany-1936)\n  \n  - [London, England, 1948](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Berlin-Germany-1936#ref59612)\n  \n  - [Helsinki, Finland, 1952](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Berlin-Germany-1936#ref59613)\n  \n  - [Melbourne, Australia, 1956](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Berlin-Germany-1936#ref59614)\n  \n  - [Rome, Italy, 1960](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Rome-Italy-1960)\n  \n  - [Tokyo, Japan, 1964](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Rome-Italy-1960#ref59616)\n  \n  - [Mexico City, Mexico, 1968](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Rome-Italy-1960#ref59617)\n  \n  - [Munich, West Germany, 1972](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Munich-West-Germany-1972)\n  \n  - [Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 1976](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Munich-West-Germany-1972#ref59619)\n  \n  - [Moscow, U.S.S.R., 1980](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Munich-West-Germany-1972#ref59620)\n  \n  - [Los Angeles, California, U.S., 1984](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Munich-West-Germany-1972#ref59621)\n  \n  - [Seoul, South Korea, 1988](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Munich-West-Germany-1972#ref59622)\n  \n  - [Barcelona, Spain, 1992](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Barcelona-Spain-1992)\n  \n  - [Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., 1996](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Barcelona-Spain-1992#ref249564)\n  \n  - [Sydney, Australia, 2000](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Barcelona-Spain-1992#ref249565)\n  \n  - [Athens, Greece, 2004](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Barcelona-Spain-1992#ref249566)\n  \n  - [Beijing, China, 2008](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Beijing-China-2008)\n  \n  - [London, England, 2012](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Beijing-China-2008#ref308461)\n  \n  - [Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2016](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Beijing-China-2008#ref338286)\n  \n  - [Tokyo 2021](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Beijing-China-2008#ref467751)\n  \n  - [Paris 2024](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Beijing-China-2008#ref472623)\n- [History of the Olympic Winter Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/History-of-the-Olympic-Winter-Games)\n  - [Chamonix, France, 1924](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/History-of-the-Olympic-Winter-Games#ref215477)\n  \n  - [St. Moritz, Switzerland, 1928](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/History-of-the-Olympic-Winter-Games#ref214319)\n  \n  - [Lake Placid, New York, U.S., 1932](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/History-of-the-Olympic-Winter-Games#ref214320)\n  \n  - [Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, 1936](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/History-of-the-Olympic-Winter-Games#ref214321)\n  \n  - [St. Moritz, Switzerland, 1948](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/St-Moritz-Switzerland-1948)\n  \n  - [Oslo, Norway, 1952](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/St-Moritz-Switzerland-1948#ref214323)\n  \n  - [Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, 1956](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/St-Moritz-Switzerland-1948#ref214324)\n  \n  - [Squaw Valley, California, U.S., 1960](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/St-Moritz-Switzerland-1948#ref214325)\n  \n  - [Innsbruck, Austria, 1964](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Innsbruck-Austria-1964)\n  \n  - [Grenoble, France, 1968](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Innsbruck-Austria-1964#ref214327)\n  \n  - [Sapporo, Japan, 1972](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Innsbruck-Austria-1964#ref214328)\n  \n  - [Innsbruck, Austria, 1976](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Innsbruck-Austria-1964#ref214329)\n  \n  - [Lake Placid, New York, U.S., 1980](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Lake-Placid-New-York-U-S-1980)\n  \n  - [Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, 1984](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Lake-Placid-New-York-U-S-1980#ref214331)\n  \n  - [Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 1988](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Lake-Placid-New-York-U-S-1980#ref214332)\n  \n  - [Albertville, France, 1992](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Lake-Placid-New-York-U-S-1980#ref214333)\n  \n  - [Lillehammer, Norway, 1994](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Lake-Placid-New-York-U-S-1980#ref214334)\n  \n  - [Nagano, Japan, 1998](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Nagano-Japan-1998)\n  \n  - [Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., 2002](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Nagano-Japan-1998#ref252823)\n  \n  - [Turin, Italy, 2006](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Nagano-Japan-1998#ref249567)\n  \n  - [Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 2010](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Vancouver-British-Columbia-Canada-2010)\n  \n  - [Sochi, Russia, 2014](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Vancouver-British-Columbia-Canada-2010#ref315126)\n  \n  - [Pyeongchang county, South Korea, 2018](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Vancouver-British-Columbia-Canada-2010#ref467752)\n  \n  - [Beijing 2022](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Vancouver-British-Columbia-Canada-2010#ref472624)\n  \n  - [Milano Cortina 2026](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/Vancouver-British-Columbia-Canada-2010#ref472625)\n\n[References & Edit History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/additional-info)  [Quick Facts & Related Topics](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/facts\/Olympic-Games)\n\n[Images, Videos & Interactives](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/images-videos)\n\n[![Lighting the Olympic flame](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/81\/250281-004-3B4EDC17\/Athens-Greece-2017-flame-transfer-organizers-Pyeongchang-South-Korean-Winter-Olympics-2018.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/81\/250281-050-C80CCDEB\/Athens-Greece-2017-flame-transfer-organizers-Pyeongchang-South-Korean-Winter-Olympics-2018.jpg)\n\n[![When Were the First Olympic Games?](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/60\/179660-138-487C22E7\/Olympic-Games-Overview-Greece-Olympia.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/video\/Olympic-Games-Overview-Greece-Olympia\/-192454)\n\n[![Olympic medals hang against a blurry background.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/18\/253818-138-7D8A15C6\/olympics-history-ancient-greece-paris-olympic-games-2024.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/video\/olympics-history-ancient-greece-paris-olympic-games-2024\/-301770)\n\n[![Ancient Olympic Games](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/43\/198043-004-A79CB8F8\/events-Infographic-athletes-Olympic-Games-pankration-pentathlon.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/43\/198043-050-06FA423B\/events-Infographic-athletes-Olympic-Games-pankration-pentathlon.jpg)  [![Wrestlers on an ancient Greek cup](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/59\/19159-004-E97F9F18\/Men-wrestling-detail-cup-Epictetus-Greek-Agora.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/59\/19159-050-A02B04DA\/Men-wrestling-detail-cup-Epictetus-Greek-Agora.jpg)\n\n[![Strange Moments in Olympic history](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/22\/225122-138-3A7F148B\/what-the-fact-the-Olympic-Games-weirdest-moments.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/video\/what-the-fact-the-Olympic-Games-weirdest-moments\/-257234)\n\n[![How Are Sports Chosen for the Olympics?](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/62\/253562-138-120DAAE6\/How-are-sports-chosen-for-the-Olympic-Games.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/video\/How-are-sports-chosen-for-the-Olympic-Games\/-307606)\n\n[![How Are Olympic Sports Scored?](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/66\/284166-049-BD9C5E1A\/how-are-olympic-sports-scored.jpg)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games)  [![Olympic Athletes vs. Animals](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/28\/284428-049-B414D62D\/olympic-athletes-versus-animals-comparisons.jpg)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games)  [![Opening ceremony at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/47\/199147-004-86AC4AB1\/brazil-olympic-team-2016-olympic-summer-games-in-rio-de-janeiro-brazil.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/47\/199147-050-536E0B11\/brazil-olympic-team-2016-olympic-summer-games-in-rio-de-janeiro-brazil.jpg)\n\nAt a Glance\n\n[![default image](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/shared\/new-thistle.svg?v=3.179.9)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/summary\/Olympic-Games)\n\n[Olympic Games summary](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/summary\/Olympic-Games)\n\nQuizzes\n\n[![Silhouette of hand holding sport torch behind the rings of an Olympic flag, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; February 3, 2015.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/44\/190944-131-7D082864\/Silhouette-hand-sport-torch-flag-rings-Olympic-February-3-2015.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/the-olympics-quiz)\n\n[The Olympics Quiz](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/the-olympics-quiz)\n\n[![Marble bust of Alexander the Great, in the British Museum, London, England. Hellenistic Greek, 2nd-1st century BC. Said to be from Alexandria, Egypt. Height: 37 cm.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/58\/159658-131-6562599E\/Alexander-the-Great-marble-bust-British-Museum.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/ancient-greece)\n\n[Ancient Greece](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/ancient-greece)\n\n[![Former U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program bobsledder Steven Holcomb, front, is greeted at the finish line after teaming with Justin Olsen, Steve Mesler and Curtis Tomasevicz to win the first Olympic bobsleigh gold medal in 62 years for Team USA ,(cont)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/31\/164631-131-222AC662\/Steven-Holcomb-2010.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/the-olympic-games)\n\n[The Olympic Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/the-olympic-games)\n\n[![Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after breaking the world record with a time of 19.30 to win the gold medal as Churandy Martina (left) of Netherlands Antilles and Brian Dzingai of Zimbabwe come in after him in the Men's 200m Final at the National Stadium during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Summer Olympics, track and field, athletics)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/55\/235355-131-5EA8CFD4\/Usain-Bolt-Jamaica-gold-medal-breaking-world-record-200m-Beijing-Summer-Olympics-August-20-2008.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/i-am-the-greatest-athlete)\n\n[I Am the Greatest (Athlete)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/i-am-the-greatest-athlete)\n\n[![Assorted sports balls including a basketball, football, soccer ball, tennis ball, baseball and others.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/52\/139052-131-7A7975D1\/Balls-shapes-colors-sizes-sports.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/american-sports-nicknames)\n\n[American Sports Nicknames](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/american-sports-nicknames)\n\nRelated Questions\n\n- [When did the Olympic Games start?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/When-did-the-Olympic-Games-start)\n- [When are the Olympic Games?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/When-are-the-Olympic-Games)\n- [Where are the Olympic Games held?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/Where-are-the-Olympic-Games-held)\n- [Who started the modern Olympics?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/Who-started-the-modern-Olympics)\n- [Who has won the most Winter Olympic gold medals?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/Who-has-won-the-most-Winter-Olympic-gold-medals)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)\n\nAsk Anything\n\nQuick Summary\n\n[Sports & Recreation](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Sports-Recreation)    [Olympic Sports](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Olympic-Sports)\n\nCITE\n\nShare\n\nFeedback\n\nExternal Websites\n\n[![Lighting the Olympic flame](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/81\/250281-050-C80CCDEB\/Athens-Greece-2017-flame-transfer-organizers-Pyeongchang-South-Korean-Winter-Olympics-2018.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/81\/250281-050-C80CCDEB\/Athens-Greece-2017-flame-transfer-organizers-Pyeongchang-South-Korean-Winter-Olympics-2018.jpg)\n\n[Lighting the Olympic flame](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/81\/250281-050-C80CCDEB\/Athens-Greece-2017-flame-transfer-organizers-Pyeongchang-South-Korean-Winter-Olympics-2018.jpg) An actress playing the role of an Athenian high priestess lights the Olympic flame in Athens, October 31, 2017. The torch was later carried to Pyeongchang, South Korea, for the 2018 Winter Olympics.\n\n(more)\n\n# Olympic Games\nHomework Help\n\nAlso known as: Olympiad\n\nWritten by\n\n[Harold Maurice Abrahams Broadcaster and journalist. Chairman, British Amateur Athletic Board. Olympic Gold Medalist (100-metre dash), whose experiences at the 1924 Olympics provided the subject of the 1981 film Chariots...](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/contributor\/Harold-Maurice-Abrahams\/6)\n\nHarold Maurice Abrahams[All](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/additional-info#contributors)\n\nFact-checked by\n\n[Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica\/4419)\n\nBritannica Editors\n\nLast updated\n\nFeb. 26, 2026\n\n•[History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/additional-info#history)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Britannica AI\n\nAsk Anything\n\nQuick Summary\n\nTable of Contents\n\nTable of Contents\n\nQuick Summary\n\nAsk Anything\n\nTop Questions\n\n### What are the Olympic Games?\nThe Olympic Games are an athletic festival that originated in [ancient Greece](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/ancient-Greece) and were revived in the late 19th century. They are the world’s foremost sports competition and include athletes from all over the world.\n\n### When did the Olympic Games start?\nAthletic festivals were being held in [ancient Greece](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/ancient-Greece) almost 3,000 years ago. The Olympic Games, held at [Olympia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Olympia-ancient-site-Greece), had achieved major importance in Greece by the end of the 6th century bce. They began to lose popularity when Greece was conquered by Rome in the 2nd century bce, and the Games were officially abolished about 400 ce because of their [pagan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/paganism) associations. The Olympics were revived in the late 19th century, with the first modern Games being held in [Athens in 1896](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Athens-1896-Olympic-Games).\n\n### When are the Olympic Games?\nThe Summer Olympic Games and Winter Olympic Games are each held every four years. After 1992, when both a Summer and Winter Games were held, they have been held on a staggered two-year schedule so that the Olympic Games occur every two years in either summer or winter. The next edition of the Olympics will be the [Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Los-Angeles-2028-Summer-Olympic-Games). The next Winter Olympics will be held in the French Alps in 2030.\n\n### Where are the Olympic Games held?\nThe [International Olympic Committee](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/International-Olympic-Committee) chooses the location of each Olympic Games. The choice is based on applications made by the chief authority of a city, with support of the national government. Read *Britannica*’s list of [Olympic Games host cities](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games-host-cities) to find out where the Olympics have been held in the past and where they are scheduled to take place in the future.\n\n### What are the prizes at the Olympics?\nIn individual Olympic events the award for first place is a [gold medal](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Are-Olympic-Medals-Made-of-Gold), for second place a silver medal, and for third place a bronze medal. Diplomas are awarded for fourth through eighth places, and all competitors and officials receive a commemorative medal.\n\n### Who started the modern Olympics?\n[Pierre, baron de Coubertin](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Pierre-baron-de-Coubertin) (1863–1937), is usually credited as the person most responsible for starting the modern Olympic Games. He was a French educator who, at the 1889 Universal Exhibition in [Paris](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Paris), launched a series of congresses on physical education and international sport that coincided with inspiring new archaeological finds from [Olympia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Olympia-ancient-site-Greece). He made a public call for an Olympic revival at one of these congresses in 1892, which initially fell on deaf ears. He persevered, and in 1894 a second Sorbonne congress resolved to hold an international [Olympic Games in Athens](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Athens-1896-Olympic-Games), which took place in 1896. He was a founding member of the [International Olympic Committee](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/International-Olympic-Committee) (IOC) and served as its president from 1896 to 1925.\n\n### When were women first allowed to compete in the Olympics?\nWomen athletes first competed at the modern Olympic Games in [1900 in Paris](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Paris-1900-Olympic-Games). That year 22 women participated in [croquet](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/croquet), [equestrian](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/horsemanship), [golf](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/golf), [sailing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/), and [tennis](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/tennis) events. The 2024 Games, also held in Paris, set the record for women’s participation: Women accounted for 49.2 percent of all athletes competing.\n\n### Who has won the most Winter Olympic gold medals?\nNorwegian cross-country skier [Johannes Høsflot Klæbo](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/Who-is-Johannes-Hosflot-Klaebo-the-Winter-Olympian-with-the-most-gold-medals) has won the most gold medals at the Winter Olympics: 11. He set the record at the [2026 Milano Cortina Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Milano-Cortina-2026-Olympic-Winter-Games). How do other Winter Olympians rank? Find out in the list below.\n\n- 1\\. [Johannes Høsflot Klæbo](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/Who-is-Johannes-Hosflot-Klaebo-the-Winter-Olympian-with-the-most-gold-medals) (Norway; cross-country skiing): 11\n- 2\\. [Marit Bjørgen](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Marit-Bjorgen) (Norway; cross-country skiing): 8\n- 3\\. [Ole Einar Bjørndalen](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Ole-Einar-Bjorndalen) (Norway; biathlon, cross-country skiing): 8\n- 4\\. [Bjørn Daehlie](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Bjorn-Daehlie) (Norway; cross-country skiing): 8\n- 5\\. [Ireen Wüst](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Ireen-Wust) (Netherlands; speed skating): 6\n\n## News •\n[Swimming becomes first major Olympic sport to lift restrictions on Russian athletes](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/news\/428005\/21e6a5e3ad73844cb2eef29b72a96326)\n\n• Apr. 13, 2026, 1:04 PM ET (AP)\n\n...(Show more)\n\n[Olympic gold medalist boxer at center of gender controversy advances to Asian semifinals](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/news\/428005\/15a5bb14953d80f53a048f59d2d439f0)  • Apr. 3, 2026, 4:19 AM ET (AP)\n\n[Chang Ung, North Korean ex-IOC member who brokered Olympic joint marches with South, dies](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/news\/428005\/1fb702fe2c85e8ca2f94649711430028)  • Apr. 1, 2026, 5:44 AM ET (AP)\n\n[A'ja Wilson returns to USA Basketball camp in Phoenix during Final Four week](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/news\/428005\/f2d649659ad9b716e3158900f8d43a03)  • Mar. 31, 2026, 3:07 PM ET (AP)\n\n[Taiwan Olympic boxing champ involved in gender debate wins first bout at Asian titles](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/news\/428005\/32d906c7daf238565feb076fc1c8f75a)  • Mar. 31, 2026, 6:06 AM ET (AP)\n\nShow less\n\n**Olympic Games**, athletic festival that originated in [ancient Greece](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/ancient-Greece) and was [revived](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/revived) in the late 19th century. Before the 1970s the Games were officially limited to competitors with amateur status, but in the 1980s many events were opened to professional athletes. Currently, the Games are open to all, even the top professional athletes in [basketball](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/basketball) and [football (soccer)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/football-soccer). The [ancient Olympic Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ancient-Olympic-Games) included several of the sports that are now part of the [Summer Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Summer-Olympic-Games) program, which at times has included events in as many as 32 different [sports](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/sports). In 1924 the [Winter Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Winter-Olympic-Games) were sanctioned for winter sports. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports [competition](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/competition-biotic-interaction).\n\nThe next edition of the Olympics will be the [Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Los-Angeles-2028-Summer-Olympic-Games). The next Winter Olympics will be held in the French [Alps](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Alps) in 2030.\n\n## The ancient Olympic Games\n## Origins\n[![When Were the First Olympic Games?](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/60\/179660-138-487C22E7\/Olympic-Games-Overview-Greece-Olympia.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/video\/Olympic-Games-Overview-Greece-Olympia\/-192454)\n\nWhen Were the First Olympic Games?Overview of the first Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia, Greece.\n\n(more)\n\n[See all videos for this article](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/images-videos)\n\nJust how far back in history organized athletic contests were held remains a matter of debate, but it is reasonably certain that they occurred in [Greece](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Greece) almost 3,000 years ago. However ancient in origin, by the end of the 6th century bce at least four Greek sporting festivals, sometimes called “classical games,” had achieved major importance: the Olympic Games, held at [Olympia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Olympia-ancient-site-Greece); the [Pythian Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Pythian-Games) at [Delphi](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Delphi-ancient-city-Greece); the [Nemean Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Nemean-Games) at Nemea; and the [Isthmian Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Isthmian-Games), held near [Corinth](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Corinth-Greece). Later, similar festivals were held in nearly 150 cities as far afield as [Rome](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Rome), [Naples](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Naples-Italy), Odessus, [Antioch](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Antioch-ancient-city-west-central-Turkey), and [Alexandria](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Alexandria-Egypt).\n\n[![Olympic medals hang against a blurry background.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/18\/253818-138-7D8A15C6\/olympics-history-ancient-greece-paris-olympic-games-2024.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/video\/olympics-history-ancient-greece-paris-olympic-games-2024\/-301770)\n\nWhat Is the History of the Olympics?The first Olympic Games consisted of a singular event: a footrace.\n\n(more)\n\n[See all videos for this article](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games\/images-videos)\n\nOf all the games held throughout Greece, the Olympic Games were the most famous. Held every four years between August 6 and September 19, they occupied such an important place in Greek history that in late antiquity historians measured time by the interval between them—an Olympiad. The Olympic Games, like almost all Greek games, were an [intrinsic](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/intrinsic) part of a religious festival. They were held in honor of [Zeus](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Zeus) at Olympia by the [city-state](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/city-state) of [Elis](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Elis) in the northwestern [Peloponnese](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Peloponnese). The first Olympic [champion](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/champion-English-history) listed in the records was Coroebus of Elis, a cook, who won the sprint race in 776 bce. Notions that the Olympics began much earlier than 776 bce are founded on [myth](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/myth), not historical evidence. According to one [legend](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/legend-literature), for example, the Games were founded by [Heracles](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Heracles), son of Zeus and [Alcmene](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Alcmene).\n\n## Competition and status\n[![Ancient Olympic Games](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/43\/198043-050-06FA423B\/events-Infographic-athletes-Olympic-Games-pankration-pentathlon.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/43\/198043-050-06FA423B\/events-Infographic-athletes-Olympic-Games-pankration-pentathlon.jpg)\n\n[Ancient Olympic Games](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/43\/198043-050-06FA423B\/events-Infographic-athletes-Olympic-Games-pankration-pentathlon.jpg)Infographic showing events in which athletes competed at the ancient Olympic Games, including running events, the pentathlon, and the *pankration*.\n\n(more)\n\nAt the meeting in 776 bce there was apparently only one event, a [footrace](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/sprint-running) that covered one length of the track at Olympia, but other events were added over the ensuing decades. The race, known as the [stade](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/stade-measurement), was about 192 meters (210 yards) long. The word *stade* also came to refer to the track on which the race was held and is the origin of the modern English word *stadium*. In 724 bce a two-length race, the *[diaulos](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/diaulos)*, roughly similar to the 400-meter race, was included, and four years later the *[dolichos](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/dolichos-running-race)*, a long-distance race possibly [comparable](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/comparable) to the modern 1,500- or 5,000-meter events, was added. [Wrestling](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/wrestling#ref8012) and the [pentathlon](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/pentathlon) were introduced in 708 bce. The latter was an all-around competition consisting of five events—the [long jump](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/long-jump), the [javelin throw](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/javelin-throw), the [discus throw](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/discus-throw), a footrace, and wrestling.\n\n[![Silhouette of hand holding sport torch behind the rings of an Olympic flag, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; February 3, 2015.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/44\/190944-131-7D082864\/Silhouette-hand-sport-torch-flag-rings-Olympic-February-3-2015.jpg) Britannica Quiz The Olympics Quiz](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/the-olympics-quiz)\n\n[![Wrestlers on an ancient Greek cup](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/59\/19159-050-A02B04DA\/Men-wrestling-detail-cup-Epictetus-Greek-Agora.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/59\/19159-050-A02B04DA\/Men-wrestling-detail-cup-Epictetus-Greek-Agora.jpg)\n\n[Wrestlers on an ancient Greek cup](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/59\/19159-050-A02B04DA\/Men-wrestling-detail-cup-Epictetus-Greek-Agora.jpg)Men wrestling, detail of an ancient Greek cup, by Epictetus, c. 520 bce; in the Agora Museum, Athens.\n\n(more)\n\n[Boxing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/boxing) was introduced in 688 bce and [chariot racing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/chariot-racing) eight years later. In 648 bce the [pancratium](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/pankration) (from Greek *pankration*), a kind of no-holds-barred combat, was included. This brutal contest combined wrestling, boxing, and street fighting. Kicking and hitting a downed opponent were allowed; only biting and gouging (thrusting a finger or thumb into an opponent’s eye) were forbidden. Between 632 and 616 bce events for boys were introduced. And from time to time further events were added, including a footrace in which athletes ran in partial armor and contests for [heralds](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/heralds) and for trumpeters. The program, however, was not nearly so varied as that of the modern Olympics. There were neither team games nor ball games, and the [athletics](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/athletics) (track and field) events were limited to the four running events and the pentathlon mentioned above. Chariot races and [horse racing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/horse-racing), which became part of the ancient Games, were held in the [hippodrome](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/hippodrome-architecture) south of the stadium.\n\nIn the early centuries of Olympic competition, all the contests took place on one day; later the Games were spread over four days, with a fifth devoted to the closing-ceremony presentation of prizes and a banquet for the champions. In most events the athletes participated in the nude. Through the centuries scholars have sought to explain this practice. Theories have ranged from the [eccentric](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/eccentric) (to be nude in public without an [erection](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/erection) demonstrated self-control) to the usual anthropological, religious, and social explanations, including the following: (1) nudity bespeaks a [rite of passage](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/rite-of-passage), (2) nudity was a holdover from the days of [hunting](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/hunting-sport) and [gathering](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/hunter-gatherer), (3) nudity had, for the Greeks, a magical power to ward off harm, and (4) public nudity was a kind of costume of the upper class. Historians grasp at dubious theories because, in Judeo-Christian society, to compete nude in public seems odd, if not scandalous. Yet ancient Greeks found nothing shameful about nudity, especially male nudity. Therefore, the many modern explanations of Greek athletic nudity are in the main unnecessary.\n\nKey People:\n\n[Jerry Lucas](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jerry-Lucas)\n\n[Pierre, baron de Coubertin](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Pierre-baron-de-Coubertin)\n\n[Pat Summitt](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Pat-Summitt)\n\n[Bob Knight](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Bob-Knight)\n\n[Sammy Lee](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Sammy-Lee)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nRelated Topics:\n\n[organizing committee for the Olympic Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/organizing-committee-for-the-Olympic-Games)\n\n[Olympic Village](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Village)\n\n[Olympic flame](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-flame)\n\n[torch relay](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/torch-relay)\n\n[national Olympic committee](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/national-Olympic-committee)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nNotable Honorees:\n\n[Jacques Anquetil](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jacques-Anquetil)\n\n[Oscar De La Hoya](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Oscar-De-La-Hoya)\n\n[Butch Reynolds](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Butch-Reynolds)\n\n[Tessa Virtue](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Tessa-Virtue)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nRelated Facts And Data:\n\n[Tokyo - Facts](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/facts\/Tokyo)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\n[See all related content](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/facts\/Olympic-Games)\n\nExplore Britannica Premium\\!\n\nTrusted knowledge for those who want to know more.\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=shorter-2026)\n\n![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-left.webp)\n\n![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-right.webp)\n\n![Mobile](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-mobile.webp?w=400)\n\nThe Olympic Games were technically restricted to freeborn Greeks. Many Greek competitors came from the Greek colonies on the [Italian peninsula](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Italian-Peninsula) and in [Asia Minor](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Anatolia) and [Africa](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Africa). Most of the participants were professionals who trained full-time for the events. These athletes earned substantial prizes for winning at many other preliminary festivals, and, although the only prize at Olympia was a wreath or garland, an Olympic champion also received widespread [adulation](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/adulation) and often lavish benefits from his home city.\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)Britannica AI\n\n*chevron\\_right*\n\nOlympic Games\n\n*close*\n\n[AI-generated answers](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.\n\nLoad Next Page\n\nFeedback\n\nThank you for your feedback\n\nOur editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.\n\n*print* Print\n\nPlease select which sections you would like to print:\n\n*verified*Cite\n\nWhile every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.\n\nSelect Citation Style\n\nRaikar, Sanat Pai. \"Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games\". *Encyclopedia Britannica*, 1 Mar. 2026, https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games. Accessed 14 April 2026.\n\nCopy Citation\n\nShare\n\nShare to social media\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BRITANNICA\/) [X](https:\/\/x.com\/britannica)\n\nURL\n\n<https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games>\n\nExternal Websites\n\n- [BBC Sport - Winter Olympics: All you need to know about Beijing 2022](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/winter-olympics\/60199574)\n- [International Olympic Committee - Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022](https:\/\/www.olympics.com\/en\/olympic-games\/beijing-2022)\n- [Al Jazeera - Winter Olympics: What you need to know about Beijing 2022](https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2022\/2\/3\/beijing-2022-winter-games-explainer)\n- [National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics: An opportunity to promote physical activity and winter sports in Chinese youth](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8847916\/)\n\nFeedback\n\nThank you for your feedback\n\nOur editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.\n\n*print* Print\n\nPlease select which sections you would like to print:\n\n*verified*Cite\n\nWhile every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.\n\nSelect Citation Style\n\nAbrahams, Harold Maurice, Young, David C.. \"Olympic Games\". *Encyclopedia Britannica*, 26 Feb. 2026, https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games. Accessed 14 April 2026.\n\nCopy Citation\n\nShare\n\nShare to social media\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BRITANNICA\/) [X](https:\/\/x.com\/britannica)\n\nURL\n\n<https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Olympic-Games>\n\nExternal Websites\n\n- [PBS LearningMedia - Origins of the Olympics \\| The Greeks](https:\/\/illinois.pbslearningmedia.org\/resource\/thegreeks_ep2_clip03\/thegreeks_ep2_clip03\/)\n- [HistoryWorld - History of the Olympic Games](http:\/\/www.historyworld.net\/wrldhis\/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac28)\n- [Humanities LibreTexts - Olympic games](https:\/\/human.libretexts.org\/Bookshelves\/Art\/SmartHistory_of_Art_Individual_Books_V2\/02%3A_Ancient_Mediterranean\/05%3A_Ancient_Greece\/5.01%3A_A_beginners_guide-_Ancient_Greece\/5.1.07%3A_Olympic_games)\n- [World History Encyclopedia - Ancient Olympic Games](https:\/\/www.worldhistory.org\/Olympic_Games\/)\n\nBritannica Websites\n\nArticles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.\n\n- [Olympic Games - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)](https:\/\/kids.britannica.com\/kids\/article\/Olympic-Games\/353563)\n- [Olympic Games - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)](https:\/\/kids.britannica.com\/students\/article\/Olympic-Games\/276182)","attrs_readable_markdown":"Top Questions\n\n### Which athlete won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games?\n### Which countries won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics?\n### How many medals did the United States team win at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics?\n\nThe **Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games** were an international athletic competition held in [Beijing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Beijing), [China](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/China), that took place February 4–20, 2022. It was the 24th edition of the [Winter Olympic Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Origins-of-the-Olympic-Winter-Games). Beijing became the first city to host both the [Summer Olympics](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Summer-Olympic-Games) and the Winter Olympics, having previously hosted the Summer Games in [2008](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2008-Olympic-Games). In the lead-up to the Games, China faced [criticism](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/criticism) related to its [human rights](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/human-rights) record and calls for a diplomatic [boycott](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/boycott) of the competition. Most of the events were closed to the public because of health [protocols](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/protocols) related to the [ongoing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/COVID-19-pandemic) [COVID-19](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/COVID-19) [pandemic](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/pandemic).\n\n## Bidding and host selection\nIn 2013 the [International Olympic Committee](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/International-Olympic-Committee) (IOC) called for bids to host the 2022 Winter Games. Six cities—[Stockholm](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Stockholm); [Kraków](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Krakow), Poland; [Oslo](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Oslo); [Lviv](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Lviv-Ukraine), Ukraine; [Almaty](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Almaty-Kazakhstan), Kazakhstan; and Beijing—submitted initial bids. By mid-2014 the four European cities had withdrawn their applications, most of them citing the high costs and stringent rules related to hosting the Games; Lviv withdrew because of [Russia’s covert invasion of eastern Ukraine](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/2022-Russian-invasion-of-Ukraine) in 2014.\n\n- **Norway:** 37\n- **Russian Olympic Committee:** 32\n- **Germany:** 27\n- **Canada:** 26\n- **United States:** 25\n\nNote: Medal count per the [IOC website](https:\/\/olympics.com\/en\/olympic-games\/beijing-2022\/medals).\n\nIn early 2015 an IOC commission visited both Almaty and Beijing to evaluate their bids and readiness to host the Games. Almaty’s pitch highlighted that city’s favorable climate and proximity to snow-covered mountains, whereas Beijing cited its successful hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics and ability to use artificial snow to make up for its lack of natural [venues](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/venues) for winter [sports](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/sports). In a surprisingly close vote of 44–40 on July 31, 2015, the IOC delegates selected the heavy favorite China as host of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.\n\n[![Silhouette of hand holding sport torch behind the rings of an Olympic flag, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; February 3, 2015.](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/44\/190944-131-7D082864\/Silhouette-hand-sport-torch-flag-rings-Olympic-February-3-2015.jpg) Britannica Quiz The Olympics Quiz](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/the-olympics-quiz)\n\n## Venues and organization\nThe Beijing Games took place across three different “zones.” The opening and closing ceremonies were held at the 80,000-seat capacity [Beijing National Stadium](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Beijing-National-Stadium), also known as the Bird’s Nest, which had been built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. The Beijing zone made use of several other venues from the 2008 Games, including the National Aquatics Stadium, nicknamed the Water Cube, which was turned into the “Ice Cube” and used for [curling](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/curling). The capital city also hosted [ice hockey](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ice-hockey), [speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/speed-skating), big air skiing and snowboarding, and [figure skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/figure-skating) events. A second zone, in Yanqing district, 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Beijing, hosted the [Alpine skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Alpine-skiing) and sliding ([bobsled](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/bobsledding), [luge](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/lugeing), [skeleton](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/skeleton-sledding)) events. A third zone was centered on [Zhangjiakou](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Kalgan), a popular skiing destination more than 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Beijing, and hosted all the other skiing and [snowboarding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/snowboarding) events. Each zone had its own Olympic village to house athletes. In preparation for the Games, China constructed a new [high-speed railway](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/high-speed-rail) between Beijing and Zhangjiakou that was completed in 2019.\n\nThe mascot for the 2022 Games was a [giant panda](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/animal\/giant-panda) character called Bing Dwen Dwen. The word *bing* in [Mandarin](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Mandarin-language) has multiple meanings, including “ice,” and can also connote purity and strength. *Dwen dwen* means “robust and lively” and also “children.” The [motto](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/motto) of the Games was “Together for a shared future.”\n\nThe Games took place more than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. As with the [2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Tokyo-2020-Olympic-Games) (delayed until 2021), stringent safety and health protocols were followed at the Beijing Games. Athletes and Olympics staff were required to undergo daily testing. All the competition venues, stadiums, catering, and accommodations were closed to the public, and participants also used separate transportation. Athletes who were not [vaccinated](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/COVID-19-vaccine) were required to quarantine for 21 days upon arrival. Overseas fans were not allowed, and only a few Chinese spectators, subject to health regulations and processes, were allowed in certain events.\n\n## Competition and results\n[Erin Jackson](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/68\/231168-050-A0043A21\/Erin-Jackson-Team-United-States-Womens-500m-speed-skating-gold-medal-winner.jpg)American speed skater Erin Jackson races toward victory in the 500-meter long-track event at the 2022 Winter Olympics.\n\nThe 2022 Games featured 109 events across 15 Olympic winter sports. Seven new events were added: women’s monobob, men’s and women’s [freestyle skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/freestyle-skiing) big air, and mixed team events in [short-track speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/short-track-speed-skating), [ski jumping](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ski-jumping), freestyle skiing [aerials](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/aerials), and snowboard cross. The Beijing Games were the most gender-balanced Olympics to that point, with more than 45 percent of the 2,834 participants being women. A total of 91 Olympic committees sent athletes to the Games, 29 of which won at least one medal. Although Russia was banned from sending athletes because of sanctions related to doping, Russian athletes were allowed to compete under the “Russian Olympic Committee” name.\n\nTrusted knowledge for those who want to know more.\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=shorter-2026)\n\n![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-left.webp)\n\n![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-right.webp)\n\n![Mobile](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-mobile.webp?w=400)\n\n[Nathan Chen](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/54\/231054-050-D916A8F4\/Nathan-Chen-Winter-Olympics-2022-Short-program.jpg)American figure skater Nathan Chen spinning during a jump element while competing at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, February 8, 2022.\n\nStandout performers at the Games included Eileen (Ailing) Gu, an American-born skier competing for China who won two gold medals and one silver medal in freestyle skiing events, and Nathan Chen, an American figure skater who set a world record in the individual short program en route to winning an individual gold and also earned a team gold medal. Biathletes Johannes Thingnes Bø (Norway), Quentin Fillon Maillet (France), and Marte Olsbu Røiseland (Norway) and cross-country skier Alexander Bolshunov (ROC) won the most medals at the Games with five each. Bø had the most gold medals with four.\n\nAccording to research commissioned by the IOC, a global audience of more than two billion people viewed the Games across broadcast and Internet platforms, a 5 percent increase over the previous Winter Games, held in [2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Pyeongchang-2018-Winter-Olympic-Games).\n\nSeveral countries, including the [United States](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/United-States), [Canada](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Canada), and India, declared a diplomatic boycott of the Games and did not send any officials or ministers to attend. The United States and others cited China’s [alleged](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/alleged) atrocities, including forced internment and sterilization, against the [Uyghur](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Uyghur) minority population in the [Uyghur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Xinjiang), as the reason for their boycott. China criticized the move as a politicization of the Olympics, and, in a choice interpreted by skeptical observers in the West as a defiant gesture, it assigned cross-country skier Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a Uyghur from Xinjiang, to light the Olympic flame at the opening ceremonies.\n\nQuick Facts\n\nDate:\n\nFebruary 4, 2022 - February 20, 2022\n\nThe biggest sports-related controversy at the 2022 Games was [doping](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/story\/olympics-a-survey-of-banned-substances) allegations against Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who was 15 years old at the time. Valieva helped her team win gold in the team event, but several days later a sample taken from Valieva in December 2021 was revealed to have tested positive for a banned substance. Valieva was permitted to compete in the individual women’s event, in which she was considered the heavy favorite, but she finished in fourth place. In January 2024 a ruling by the Court of Arbitration of Sport retroactively disqualified Valieva from the 2022 Games, stripping the Russian Olympic Committee of its team gold medal.","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games \| Selection, Hosts, Organization, Controversies, Medals, & Facts \| Britannica
Meta Description	The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games were an international athletic competition held in Beijing, China, that took place February 4–20, 2022. It was the 24th edition of the Winter Olympic Games. Most of the events were closed to the public because of health protocols related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Norway topped the medals table, followed by the Russian Olympic Committee and Germany.
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Boilerpipe Text	Top Questions Which athlete won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games? Which countries won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics? How many medals did the United States team win at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics? The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games were an international athletic competition held in Beijing , China , that took place February 4–20, 2022. It was the 24th edition of the Winter Olympic Games . Beijing became the first city to host both the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics, having previously hosted the Summer Games in 2008 . In the lead-up to the Games, China faced criticism related to its human rights record and calls for a diplomatic boycott of the competition. Most of the events were closed to the public because of health protocols related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic . Bidding and host selection In 2013 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) called for bids to host the 2022 Winter Games. Six cities— Stockholm ; Kraków , Poland; Oslo ; Lviv , Ukraine; Almaty , Kazakhstan; and Beijing—submitted initial bids. By mid-2014 the four European cities had withdrawn their applications, most of them citing the high costs and stringent rules related to hosting the Games; Lviv withdrew because of Russia’s covert invasion of eastern Ukraine in 2014. Norway: 37 Russian Olympic Committee: 32 Germany: 27 Canada: 26 United States: 25 Note: Medal count per the IOC website . In early 2015 an IOC commission visited both Almaty and Beijing to evaluate their bids and readiness to host the Games. Almaty’s pitch highlighted that city’s favorable climate and proximity to snow-covered mountains, whereas Beijing cited its successful hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics and ability to use artificial snow to make up for its lack of natural venues for winter sports . In a surprisingly close vote of 44–40 on July 31, 2015, the IOC delegates selected the heavy favorite China as host of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Britannica Quiz The Olympics Quiz Venues and organization The Beijing Games took place across three different “zones.” The opening and closing ceremonies were held at the 80,000-seat capacity Beijing National Stadium , also known as the Bird’s Nest, which had been built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. The Beijing zone made use of several other venues from the 2008 Games, including the National Aquatics Stadium, nicknamed the Water Cube, which was turned into the “Ice Cube” and used for curling . The capital city also hosted ice hockey , speed skating , big air skiing and snowboarding, and figure skating events. A second zone, in Yanqing district, 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Beijing, hosted the Alpine skiing and sliding ( bobsled , luge , skeleton ) events. A third zone was centered on Zhangjiakou , a popular skiing destination more than 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Beijing, and hosted all the other skiing and snowboarding events. Each zone had its own Olympic village to house athletes. In preparation for the Games, China constructed a new high-speed railway between Beijing and Zhangjiakou that was completed in 2019. The mascot for the 2022 Games was a giant panda character called Bing Dwen Dwen. The word bing in Mandarin has multiple meanings, including “ice,” and can also connote purity and strength. Dwen dwen means “robust and lively” and also “children.” The motto of the Games was “Together for a shared future.” The Games took place more than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. As with the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games (delayed until 2021), stringent safety and health protocols were followed at the Beijing Games. Athletes and Olympics staff were required to undergo daily testing. All the competition venues, stadiums, catering, and accommodations were closed to the public, and participants also used separate transportation. Athletes who were not vaccinated were required to quarantine for 21 days upon arrival. Overseas fans were not allowed, and only a few Chinese spectators, subject to health regulations and processes, were allowed in certain events. Competition and results Erin Jackson American speed skater Erin Jackson races toward victory in the 500-meter long-track event at the 2022 Winter Olympics. The 2022 Games featured 109 events across 15 Olympic winter sports. Seven new events were added: women’s monobob, men’s and women’s freestyle skiing big air, and mixed team events in short-track speed skating , ski jumping , freestyle skiing aerials , and snowboard cross. The Beijing Games were the most gender-balanced Olympics to that point, with more than 45 percent of the 2,834 participants being women. A total of 91 Olympic committees sent athletes to the Games, 29 of which won at least one medal. Although Russia was banned from sending athletes because of sanctions related to doping, Russian athletes were allowed to compete under the “Russian Olympic Committee” name. Trusted knowledge for those who want to know more. SUBSCRIBE Nathan Chen American figure skater Nathan Chen spinning during a jump element while competing at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, February 8, 2022. Standout performers at the Games included Eileen (Ailing) Gu, an American-born skier competing for China who won two gold medals and one silver medal in freestyle skiing events, and Nathan Chen, an American figure skater who set a world record in the individual short program en route to winning an individual gold and also earned a team gold medal. Biathletes Johannes Thingnes Bø (Norway), Quentin Fillon Maillet (France), and Marte Olsbu Røiseland (Norway) and cross-country skier Alexander Bolshunov (ROC) won the most medals at the Games with five each. Bø had the most gold medals with four. According to research commissioned by the IOC, a global audience of more than two billion people viewed the Games across broadcast and Internet platforms, a 5 percent increase over the previous Winter Games, held in 2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea . Several countries, including the United States , Canada , and India, declared a diplomatic boycott of the Games and did not send any officials or ministers to attend. The United States and others cited China’s alleged atrocities, including forced internment and sterilization, against the Uyghur minority population in the Uyghur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang , as the reason for their boycott. China criticized the move as a politicization of the Olympics, and, in a choice interpreted by skeptical observers in the West as a defiant gesture, it assigned cross-country skier Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a Uyghur from Xinjiang, to light the Olympic flame at the opening ceremonies. Quick Facts Date: February 4, 2022 - February 20, 2022 The biggest sports-related controversy at the 2022 Games was doping allegations against Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who was 15 years old at the time. Valieva helped her team win gold in the team event, but several days later a sample taken from Valieva in December 2021 was revealed to have tested positive for a banned substance. Valieva was permitted to compete in the individual women’s event, in which she was considered the heavy favorite, but she finished in fourth place. In January 2024 a ruling by the Court of Arbitration of Sport retroactively disqualified Valieva from the 2022 Games, stripping the Russian Olympic Committee of its team gold medal.
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February 3, 2015.](https://cdn.britannica.com/44/190944-131-7D082864/Silhouette-hand-sport-torch-flag-rings-Olympic-February-3-2015.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/the-olympics-quiz) [The Olympics Quiz](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/the-olympics-quiz) Related Questions - [Which countries won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics?](https://www.britannica.com/question/Which-countries-won-the-most-medals-at-the-Beijing-2022-Winter-Olympics) - [Why is Sun Yat-sen important?](https://www.britannica.com/question/Why-is-Sun-Yat-sen-important) - [What was Sun Yat-sen’s childhood like?](https://www.britannica.com/question/What-was-Sun-Yat-sens-childhood-like) - [What was Sun Yat-sen’s occupation?](https://www.britannica.com/question/What-was-Sun-Yat-sens-occupation) - [What is Sun Yat-sen remembered for?](https://www.britannica.com/question/What-is-Sun-Yat-sen-remembered-for) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Ask Anything Quick Summary [Sports & Recreation](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Sports-Recreation) [Olympic Sports](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Olympic-Sports) CITE Share Feedback External Websites [![Clement Noel](https://cdn.britannica.com/63/253463-050-D43DA380/Clement-Noel-slalom-Beijing-Winter-Olympics-2022.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https://cdn.britannica.com/63/253463-050-D43DA380/Clement-Noel-slalom-Beijing-Winter-Olympics-2022.jpg) [Clement Noel](https://cdn.britannica.com/63/253463-050-D43DA380/Clement-Noel-slalom-Beijing-Winter-Olympics-2022.jpg) French skier Clement Noel competing in the slalom at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the National Alpine Ski Centre in Yanqing district, China, on February 16, 2022. (more) # Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Homework Help Also known as: Beijing 2022 Olympic Games Written by [Sanat Pai Raikar Sanat Pai Raikar is a quizmaster and writer based out of Bangalore, India. His first quiz book, Three's A Quiz, was written from memory. Sanat has cofounded Quizarre, which provides quiz, crossword,...](https://www.britannica.com/contributor/sanat-pai-raikar/12616791) Sanat Pai Raikar Fact-checked by [Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https://www.britannica.com/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419) Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 1, 2026 •[History](https://www.britannica.com/event/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games/additional-info#history) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Britannica AI Ask Anything Quick Summary Table of Contents Table of Contents Quick Summary Ask Anything Top Questions ### Which athlete won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games? [Biathletes](https://www.britannica.com/sports/biathlon) Johannes Thingnes Bø (Norway), Quentin Fillon Maillet (France), and Marte Olsbu Røiseland (Norway) and [cross-country skier](https://www.britannica.com/sports/cross-country-skiing) Alexander Bolshunov (ROC) won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games with five each. Bø had the most gold medals with four. ### Which countries won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics? Norway won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games with 37, followed by the Russian Olympic Committee with 32, Germany with 27, Canada with 26, and the United States with 25. (Although Russia was banned from sending athletes because of sanctions related to [doping](https://www.britannica.com/science/doping), Russian athletes were allowed to compete under the “Russian Olympic Committee” name.) ### How many medals did the United States team win at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics? The United States won 25 total medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. These included nine gold medals, nine silver medals, and seven bronze medals. The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games were an international athletic competition held in [Beijing](https://www.britannica.com/place/Beijing), [China](https://www.britannica.com/place/China), that took place February 4–20, 2022. It was the 24th edition of the [Winter Olympic Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Origins-of-the-Olympic-Winter-Games). Beijing became the first city to host both the [Summer Olympics](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Summer-Olympic-Games) and the Winter Olympics, having previously hosted the Summer Games in [2008](https://www.britannica.com/event/Beijing-2008-Olympic-Games). In the lead-up to the Games, China faced [criticism](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criticism) related to its [human rights](https://www.britannica.com/topic/human-rights) record and calls for a diplomatic [boycott](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boycott) of the competition. Most of the events were closed to the public because of health [protocols](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protocols) related to the [ongoing](https://www.britannica.com/event/COVID-19-pandemic) [COVID-19](https://www.britannica.com/science/COVID-19) [pandemic](https://www.britannica.com/science/pandemic). ## Bidding and host selection In 2013 the [International Olympic Committee](https://www.britannica.com/topic/International-Olympic-Committee) (IOC) called for bids to host the 2022 Winter Games. Six cities—[Stockholm](https://www.britannica.com/place/Stockholm); [Kraków](https://www.britannica.com/place/Krakow), Poland; [Oslo](https://www.britannica.com/place/Oslo); [Lviv](https://www.britannica.com/place/Lviv-Ukraine), Ukraine; [Almaty](https://www.britannica.com/place/Almaty-Kazakhstan), Kazakhstan; and Beijing—submitted initial bids. By mid-2014 the four European cities had withdrawn their applications, most of them citing the high costs and stringent rules related to hosting the Games; Lviv withdrew because of [Russia’s covert invasion of eastern Ukraine](https://www.britannica.com/event/2022-Russian-invasion-of-Ukraine) in 2014. Most Medals by Country - Norway: 37 - Russian Olympic Committee: 32 - Germany: 27 - Canada: 26 - United States: 25 Note: Medal count per the [IOC website](https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/beijing-2022/medals). In early 2015 an IOC commission visited both Almaty and Beijing to evaluate their bids and readiness to host the Games. Almaty’s pitch highlighted that city’s favorable climate and proximity to snow-covered mountains, whereas Beijing cited its successful hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics and ability to use artificial snow to make up for its lack of natural [venues](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venues) for winter [sports](https://www.britannica.com/sports/sports). In a surprisingly close vote of 44–40 on July 31, 2015, the IOC delegates selected the heavy favorite China as host of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. [![Silhouette of hand holding sport torch behind the rings of an Olympic flag, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; February 3, 2015.](https://cdn.britannica.com/44/190944-131-7D082864/Silhouette-hand-sport-torch-flag-rings-Olympic-February-3-2015.jpg) Britannica Quiz The Olympics Quiz](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/the-olympics-quiz) ## Venues and organization [![Opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Olympics](https://cdn.britannica.com/86/246686-050-6EF5B147/fireworks-Olympic-rings-Beijing-2022-Winter-Olympic-games.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/86/246686-050-6EF5B147/fireworks-Olympic-rings-Beijing-2022-Winter-Olympic-games.jpg) [Opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Olympics](https://cdn.britannica.com/86/246686-050-6EF5B147/fireworks-Olympic-rings-Beijing-2022-Winter-Olympic-games.jpg)Fireworks in the shape of the Olympic rings lighting up the sky above the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Beijing, February 4, 2022. (more) The Beijing Games took place across three different “zones.” The opening and closing ceremonies were held at the 80,000-seat capacity [Beijing National Stadium](https://www.britannica.com/place/Beijing-National-Stadium), also known as the Bird’s Nest, which had been built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. The Beijing zone made use of several other venues from the 2008 Games, including the National Aquatics Stadium, nicknamed the Water Cube, which was turned into the “Ice Cube” and used for [curling](https://www.britannica.com/sports/curling). The capital city also hosted [ice hockey](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ice-hockey), [speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/speed-skating), big air skiing and snowboarding, and [figure skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/figure-skating) events. A second zone, in Yanqing district, 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Beijing, hosted the [Alpine skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Alpine-skiing) and sliding ([bobsled](https://www.britannica.com/sports/bobsledding), [luge](https://www.britannica.com/sports/lugeing), [skeleton](https://www.britannica.com/sports/skeleton-sledding)) events. A third zone was centered on [Zhangjiakou](https://www.britannica.com/place/Kalgan), a popular skiing destination more than 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Beijing, and hosted all the other skiing and [snowboarding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/snowboarding) events. Each zone had its own Olympic village to house athletes. In preparation for the Games, China constructed a new [high-speed railway](https://www.britannica.com/technology/high-speed-rail) between Beijing and Zhangjiakou that was completed in 2019. The mascot for the 2022 Games was a [giant panda](https://www.britannica.com/animal/giant-panda) character called Bing Dwen Dwen. The word bing in [Mandarin](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mandarin-language) has multiple meanings, including “ice,” and can also connote purity and strength. Dwen dwen means “robust and lively” and also “children.” The [motto](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/motto) of the Games was “Together for a shared future.” The Games took place more than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. As with the [2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games](https://www.britannica.com/event/Tokyo-2020-Olympic-Games) (delayed until 2021), stringent safety and health protocols were followed at the Beijing Games. Athletes and Olympics staff were required to undergo daily testing. All the competition venues, stadiums, catering, and accommodations were closed to the public, and participants also used separate transportation. Athletes who were not [vaccinated](https://www.britannica.com/science/COVID-19-vaccine) were required to quarantine for 21 days upon arrival. Overseas fans were not allowed, and only a few Chinese spectators, subject to health regulations and processes, were allowed in certain events. ## Competition and results [![Speed skater Erin Jackson leaning deeply as she races along a curve on an iced oval track.](https://cdn.britannica.com/68/231168-050-A0043A21/Erin-Jackson-Team-United-States-Womens-500m-speed-skating-gold-medal-winner.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/68/231168-050-A0043A21/Erin-Jackson-Team-United-States-Womens-500m-speed-skating-gold-medal-winner.jpg) [Erin Jackson](https://cdn.britannica.com/68/231168-050-A0043A21/Erin-Jackson-Team-United-States-Womens-500m-speed-skating-gold-medal-winner.jpg)American speed skater Erin Jackson races toward victory in the 500-meter long-track event at the 2022 Winter Olympics. (more) The 2022 Games featured 109 events across 15 Olympic winter sports. Seven new events were added: women’s monobob, men’s and women’s [freestyle skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/freestyle-skiing) big air, and mixed team events in [short-track speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/short-track-speed-skating), [ski jumping](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ski-jumping), freestyle skiing [aerials](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/aerials), and snowboard cross. The Beijing Games were the most gender-balanced Olympics to that point, with more than 45 percent of the 2,834 participants being women. A total of 91 Olympic committees sent athletes to the Games, 29 of which won at least one medal. Although Russia was banned from sending athletes because of sanctions related to doping, Russian athletes were allowed to compete under the “Russian Olympic Committee” name. Explore Britannica Premium\! Trusted knowledge for those who want to know more. [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=shorter-2026) ![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-left.webp) ![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-right.webp) ![Mobile](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-mobile.webp?w=400) [![Nathan Chen](https://cdn.britannica.com/54/231054-050-D916A8F4/Nathan-Chen-Winter-Olympics-2022-Short-program.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/54/231054-050-D916A8F4/Nathan-Chen-Winter-Olympics-2022-Short-program.jpg) [Nathan Chen](https://cdn.britannica.com/54/231054-050-D916A8F4/Nathan-Chen-Winter-Olympics-2022-Short-program.jpg)American figure skater Nathan Chen spinning during a jump element while competing at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, February 8, 2022. (more) Standout performers at the Games included Eileen (Ailing) Gu, an American-born skier competing for China who won two gold medals and one silver medal in freestyle skiing events, and Nathan Chen, an American figure skater who set a world record in the individual short program en route to winning an individual gold and also earned a team gold medal. Biathletes Johannes Thingnes Bø (Norway), Quentin Fillon Maillet (France), and Marte Olsbu Røiseland (Norway) and cross-country skier Alexander Bolshunov (ROC) won the most medals at the Games with five each. Bø had the most gold medals with four. According to research commissioned by the IOC, a global audience of more than two billion people viewed the Games across broadcast and Internet platforms, a 5 percent increase over the previous Winter Games, held in [2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea](https://www.britannica.com/event/Pyeongchang-2018-Winter-Olympic-Games). ## Controversies [![Demonstrator calling for a boycott of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games](https://cdn.britannica.com/08/252508-050-E819A52D/A-man-is-seen-holding-a-placard-asking-for-boycott-Beijing-during-the-demonstration.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/08/252508-050-E819A52D/A-man-is-seen-holding-a-placard-asking-for-boycott-Beijing-during-the-demonstration.jpg) [Demonstrator calling for a boycott of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games](https://cdn.britannica.com/08/252508-050-E819A52D/A-man-is-seen-holding-a-placard-asking-for-boycott-Beijing-during-the-demonstration.jpg)A man holding a placard asking for a boycott of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games on January 29, 2022, Amsterdam, Netherlands. (more) Several countries, including the [United States](https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States), [Canada](https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada), and India, declared a diplomatic boycott of the Games and did not send any officials or ministers to attend. The United States and others cited China’s [alleged](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alleged) atrocities, including forced internment and sterilization, against the [Uyghur](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Uyghur) minority population in the [Uyghur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang](https://www.britannica.com/place/Xinjiang), as the reason for their boycott. China criticized the move as a politicization of the Olympics, and, in a choice interpreted by skeptical observers in the West as a defiant gesture, it assigned cross-country skier Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a Uyghur from Xinjiang, to light the Olympic flame at the opening ceremonies. Quick Facts Date: February 4, 2022 - February 20, 2022 (Show more) Location: [China](https://www.britannica.com/place/China) [Beijing](https://www.britannica.com/place/Beijing) (Show more) [See all related content](https://www.britannica.com/facts/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games) The biggest sports-related controversy at the 2022 Games was [doping](https://www.britannica.com/story/olympics-a-survey-of-banned-substances) allegations against Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who was 15 years old at the time. Valieva helped her team win gold in the team event, but several days later a sample taken from Valieva in December 2021 was revealed to have tested positive for a banned substance. Valieva was permitted to compete in the individual women’s event, in which she was considered the heavy favorite, but she finished in fourth place. In January 2024 a ruling by the Court of Arbitration of Sport retroactively disqualified Valieva from the 2022 Games, stripping the Russian Olympic Committee of its team gold medal. [Sanat Pai Raikar](https://www.britannica.com/contributor/Sanat-Pai-Raikar/12616791) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)Britannica AI chevron\_right Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games close [AI-generated answers](https://www.britannica.com/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. [Olympic Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games) - [Introduction & Top Questions](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games) - [The ancient Olympic Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games#ref59589) - [Origins](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games#ref249541) - [Competition and status](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games#ref249542) - [Women and the Olympic Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Women-and-the-Olympic-Games) - [Demise of the Olympics](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Women-and-the-Olympic-Games#ref59591) - [The modern Olympic movement](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Women-and-the-Olympic-Games#ref59593) - [Revival of the Olympics](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Women-and-the-Olympic-Games#ref249544) - [Organization](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Women-and-the-Olympic-Games#ref249545) - [The International Olympic Committee](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Women-and-the-Olympic-Games#ref249546) - [The awarding of the Olympic Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Women-and-the-Olympic-Games#ref249547) - [Corruption](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Corruption) - [Political pressures](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Corruption#ref249549) - [Commercialization](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Corruption#ref249550) - [National Olympic committees, international federations, and organizing committees](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Corruption#ref249551) - [Programs and participation](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Programs-and-participation) - [Amateurism versus professionalism](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Programs-and-participation#ref249553) - [Doping and drug testing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Programs-and-participation#ref249554) - [Ritual and symbolism](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Programs-and-participation#ref59599) - [Olympic ceremonies](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Programs-and-participation#ref60481) - [The opening ceremony](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Programs-and-participation#ref249555) - [The medal ceremonies](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Programs-and-participation#ref249556) - [The closing ceremony](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Programs-and-participation#ref249557) - [Olympic symbols](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Olympic-symbols) - [The flag](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Olympic-symbols#ref249558) - [The motto](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Olympic-symbols#ref249559) - [The flame and torch relay](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Olympic-symbols#ref249560) - [Mascots](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Olympic-symbols#ref249561) - [History of the modern Summer Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/History-of-the-modern-Summer-Games) - [Athens, Greece, 1896](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/History-of-the-modern-Summer-Games#ref59602) - [Paris, France, 1900](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/History-of-the-modern-Summer-Games#ref59603) - [St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., 1904](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/History-of-the-modern-Summer-Games#ref249562) - [Athens, Greece, 1906](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/History-of-the-modern-Summer-Games#ref249563) - [London, England, 1908](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/London-England-1908) - [Stockholm, Sweden, 1912](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/London-England-1908#ref59606) - [Antwerp, Belgium, 1920](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/London-England-1908#ref59607) - [Paris, France, 1924](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/London-England-1908#ref59608) - [Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1928](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/London-England-1908#ref59609) - [Los Angeles, California, U.S., 1932](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/London-England-1908#ref59610) - [Berlin, Germany, 1936](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Berlin-Germany-1936) - [London, England, 1948](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Berlin-Germany-1936#ref59612) - [Helsinki, Finland, 1952](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Berlin-Germany-1936#ref59613) - [Melbourne, Australia, 1956](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Berlin-Germany-1936#ref59614) - [Rome, Italy, 1960](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Rome-Italy-1960) - [Tokyo, Japan, 1964](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Rome-Italy-1960#ref59616) - [Mexico City, Mexico, 1968](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Rome-Italy-1960#ref59617) - [Munich, West Germany, 1972](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Munich-West-Germany-1972) - [Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 1976](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Munich-West-Germany-1972#ref59619) - [Moscow, U.S.S.R., 1980](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Munich-West-Germany-1972#ref59620) - [Los Angeles, California, U.S., 1984](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Munich-West-Germany-1972#ref59621) - [Seoul, South Korea, 1988](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Munich-West-Germany-1972#ref59622) - [Barcelona, Spain, 1992](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Barcelona-Spain-1992) - [Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., 1996](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Barcelona-Spain-1992#ref249564) - [Sydney, Australia, 2000](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Barcelona-Spain-1992#ref249565) - [Athens, Greece, 2004](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Barcelona-Spain-1992#ref249566) - [Beijing, China, 2008](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Beijing-China-2008) - [London, England, 2012](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Beijing-China-2008#ref308461) - [Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2016](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Beijing-China-2008#ref338286) - [Tokyo 2021](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Beijing-China-2008#ref467751) - [Paris 2024](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Beijing-China-2008#ref472623) - [History of the Olympic Winter Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/History-of-the-Olympic-Winter-Games) - [Chamonix, France, 1924](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/History-of-the-Olympic-Winter-Games#ref215477) - [St. Moritz, Switzerland, 1928](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/History-of-the-Olympic-Winter-Games#ref214319) - [Lake Placid, New York, U.S., 1932](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/History-of-the-Olympic-Winter-Games#ref214320) - [Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, 1936](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/History-of-the-Olympic-Winter-Games#ref214321) - [St. Moritz, Switzerland, 1948](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/St-Moritz-Switzerland-1948) - [Oslo, Norway, 1952](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/St-Moritz-Switzerland-1948#ref214323) - [Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, 1956](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/St-Moritz-Switzerland-1948#ref214324) - [Squaw Valley, California, U.S., 1960](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/St-Moritz-Switzerland-1948#ref214325) - [Innsbruck, Austria, 1964](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Innsbruck-Austria-1964) - [Grenoble, France, 1968](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Innsbruck-Austria-1964#ref214327) - [Sapporo, Japan, 1972](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Innsbruck-Austria-1964#ref214328) - [Innsbruck, Austria, 1976](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Innsbruck-Austria-1964#ref214329) - [Lake Placid, New York, U.S., 1980](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Lake-Placid-New-York-U-S-1980) - [Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, 1984](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Lake-Placid-New-York-U-S-1980#ref214331) - [Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 1988](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Lake-Placid-New-York-U-S-1980#ref214332) - [Albertville, France, 1992](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Lake-Placid-New-York-U-S-1980#ref214333) - [Lillehammer, Norway, 1994](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Lake-Placid-New-York-U-S-1980#ref214334) - [Nagano, Japan, 1998](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Nagano-Japan-1998) - [Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., 2002](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Nagano-Japan-1998#ref252823) - [Turin, Italy, 2006](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Nagano-Japan-1998#ref249567) - [Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 2010](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Vancouver-British-Columbia-Canada-2010) - [Sochi, Russia, 2014](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Vancouver-British-Columbia-Canada-2010#ref315126) - [Pyeongchang county, South Korea, 2018](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Vancouver-British-Columbia-Canada-2010#ref467752) - [Beijing 2022](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Vancouver-British-Columbia-Canada-2010#ref472624) - [Milano Cortina 2026](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/Vancouver-British-Columbia-Canada-2010#ref472625) [References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/additional-info) [Quick Facts & Related Topics](https://www.britannica.com/facts/Olympic-Games) [Images, Videos & Interactives](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/images-videos) [![Lighting the Olympic flame](https://cdn.britannica.com/81/250281-004-3B4EDC17/Athens-Greece-2017-flame-transfer-organizers-Pyeongchang-South-Korean-Winter-Olympics-2018.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/81/250281-050-C80CCDEB/Athens-Greece-2017-flame-transfer-organizers-Pyeongchang-South-Korean-Winter-Olympics-2018.jpg) [![When Were the First Olympic Games?](https://cdn.britannica.com/60/179660-138-487C22E7/Olympic-Games-Overview-Greece-Olympia.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/video/Olympic-Games-Overview-Greece-Olympia/-192454) [![Olympic medals hang against a blurry background.](https://cdn.britannica.com/18/253818-138-7D8A15C6/olympics-history-ancient-greece-paris-olympic-games-2024.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/video/olympics-history-ancient-greece-paris-olympic-games-2024/-301770) [![Ancient Olympic Games](https://cdn.britannica.com/43/198043-004-A79CB8F8/events-Infographic-athletes-Olympic-Games-pankration-pentathlon.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/43/198043-050-06FA423B/events-Infographic-athletes-Olympic-Games-pankration-pentathlon.jpg) [![Wrestlers on an ancient Greek cup](https://cdn.britannica.com/59/19159-004-E97F9F18/Men-wrestling-detail-cup-Epictetus-Greek-Agora.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/59/19159-050-A02B04DA/Men-wrestling-detail-cup-Epictetus-Greek-Agora.jpg) [![Strange Moments in Olympic history](https://cdn.britannica.com/22/225122-138-3A7F148B/what-the-fact-the-Olympic-Games-weirdest-moments.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/video/what-the-fact-the-Olympic-Games-weirdest-moments/-257234) [![How Are Sports Chosen for the Olympics?](https://cdn.britannica.com/62/253562-138-120DAAE6/How-are-sports-chosen-for-the-Olympic-Games.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/video/How-are-sports-chosen-for-the-Olympic-Games/-307606) [![How Are Olympic Sports Scored?](https://cdn.britannica.com/66/284166-049-BD9C5E1A/how-are-olympic-sports-scored.jpg)](https://www.britannica.com/event/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games) [![Olympic Athletes vs. Animals](https://cdn.britannica.com/28/284428-049-B414D62D/olympic-athletes-versus-animals-comparisons.jpg)](https://www.britannica.com/event/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games) [![Opening ceremony at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games](https://cdn.britannica.com/47/199147-004-86AC4AB1/brazil-olympic-team-2016-olympic-summer-games-in-rio-de-janeiro-brazil.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/47/199147-050-536E0B11/brazil-olympic-team-2016-olympic-summer-games-in-rio-de-janeiro-brazil.jpg) At a Glance [![default image](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/shared/new-thistle.svg?v=3.179.9)](https://www.britannica.com/summary/Olympic-Games) [Olympic Games summary](https://www.britannica.com/summary/Olympic-Games) Quizzes [![Silhouette of hand holding sport torch behind the rings of an Olympic flag, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; February 3, 2015.](https://cdn.britannica.com/44/190944-131-7D082864/Silhouette-hand-sport-torch-flag-rings-Olympic-February-3-2015.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/the-olympics-quiz) [The Olympics Quiz](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/the-olympics-quiz) [![Marble bust of Alexander the Great, in the British Museum, London, England. Hellenistic Greek, 2nd-1st century BC. Said to be from Alexandria, Egypt. Height: 37 cm.](https://cdn.britannica.com/58/159658-131-6562599E/Alexander-the-Great-marble-bust-British-Museum.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/ancient-greece) [Ancient Greece](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/ancient-greece) [![Former U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program bobsledder Steven Holcomb, front, is greeted at the finish line after teaming with Justin Olsen, Steve Mesler and Curtis Tomasevicz to win the first Olympic bobsleigh gold medal in 62 years for Team USA ,(cont)](https://cdn.britannica.com/31/164631-131-222AC662/Steven-Holcomb-2010.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/the-olympic-games) [The Olympic Games](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/the-olympic-games) [![Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after breaking the world record with a time of 19.30 to win the gold medal as Churandy Martina (left) of Netherlands Antilles and Brian Dzingai of Zimbabwe come in after him in the Men's 200m Final at the National Stadium during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Summer Olympics, track and field, athletics)](https://cdn.britannica.com/55/235355-131-5EA8CFD4/Usain-Bolt-Jamaica-gold-medal-breaking-world-record-200m-Beijing-Summer-Olympics-August-20-2008.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/i-am-the-greatest-athlete) [I Am the Greatest (Athlete)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/i-am-the-greatest-athlete) [![Assorted sports balls including a basketball, football, soccer ball, tennis ball, baseball and others.](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/139052-131-7A7975D1/Balls-shapes-colors-sizes-sports.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/american-sports-nicknames) [American Sports Nicknames](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/american-sports-nicknames) Related Questions - [When did the Olympic Games start?](https://www.britannica.com/question/When-did-the-Olympic-Games-start) - [When are the Olympic Games?](https://www.britannica.com/question/When-are-the-Olympic-Games) - [Where are the Olympic Games held?](https://www.britannica.com/question/Where-are-the-Olympic-Games-held) - [Who started the modern Olympics?](https://www.britannica.com/question/Who-started-the-modern-Olympics) - [Who has won the most Winter Olympic gold medals?](https://www.britannica.com/question/Who-has-won-the-most-Winter-Olympic-gold-medals) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Ask Anything Quick Summary [Sports & Recreation](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Sports-Recreation) [Olympic Sports](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Olympic-Sports) CITE Share Feedback External Websites [![Lighting the Olympic flame](https://cdn.britannica.com/81/250281-050-C80CCDEB/Athens-Greece-2017-flame-transfer-organizers-Pyeongchang-South-Korean-Winter-Olympics-2018.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https://cdn.britannica.com/81/250281-050-C80CCDEB/Athens-Greece-2017-flame-transfer-organizers-Pyeongchang-South-Korean-Winter-Olympics-2018.jpg) [Lighting the Olympic flame](https://cdn.britannica.com/81/250281-050-C80CCDEB/Athens-Greece-2017-flame-transfer-organizers-Pyeongchang-South-Korean-Winter-Olympics-2018.jpg) An actress playing the role of an Athenian high priestess lights the Olympic flame in Athens, October 31, 2017. The torch was later carried to Pyeongchang, South Korea, for the 2018 Winter Olympics. (more) # Olympic Games Homework Help Also known as: Olympiad Written by [Harold Maurice Abrahams Broadcaster and journalist. Chairman, British Amateur Athletic Board. Olympic Gold Medalist (100-metre dash), whose experiences at the 1924 Olympics provided the subject of the 1981 film Chariots...](https://www.britannica.com/contributor/Harold-Maurice-Abrahams/6) Harold Maurice Abrahams[All](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/additional-info#contributors) Fact-checked by [Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https://www.britannica.com/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419) Britannica Editors Last updated Feb. 26, 2026 •[History](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/additional-info#history) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Britannica AI Ask Anything Quick Summary Table of Contents Table of Contents Quick Summary Ask Anything Top Questions ### What are the Olympic Games? The Olympic Games are an athletic festival that originated in [ancient Greece](https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Greece) and were revived in the late 19th century. They are the world’s foremost sports competition and include athletes from all over the world. ### When did the Olympic Games start? Athletic festivals were being held in [ancient Greece](https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Greece) almost 3,000 years ago. The Olympic Games, held at [Olympia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Olympia-ancient-site-Greece), had achieved major importance in Greece by the end of the 6th century bce. They began to lose popularity when Greece was conquered by Rome in the 2nd century bce, and the Games were officially abolished about 400 ce because of their [pagan](https://www.britannica.com/topic/paganism) associations. The Olympics were revived in the late 19th century, with the first modern Games being held in [Athens in 1896](https://www.britannica.com/event/Athens-1896-Olympic-Games). ### When are the Olympic Games? The Summer Olympic Games and Winter Olympic Games are each held every four years. After 1992, when both a Summer and Winter Games were held, they have been held on a staggered two-year schedule so that the Olympic Games occur every two years in either summer or winter. The next edition of the Olympics will be the [Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028](https://www.britannica.com/event/Los-Angeles-2028-Summer-Olympic-Games). The next Winter Olympics will be held in the French Alps in 2030. ### Where are the Olympic Games held? The [International Olympic Committee](https://www.britannica.com/topic/International-Olympic-Committee) chooses the location of each Olympic Games. The choice is based on applications made by the chief authority of a city, with support of the national government. Read Britannica’s list of [Olympic Games host cities](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games-host-cities) to find out where the Olympics have been held in the past and where they are scheduled to take place in the future. ### What are the prizes at the Olympics? In individual Olympic events the award for first place is a [gold medal](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Are-Olympic-Medals-Made-of-Gold), for second place a silver medal, and for third place a bronze medal. Diplomas are awarded for fourth through eighth places, and all competitors and officials receive a commemorative medal. ### Who started the modern Olympics? [Pierre, baron de Coubertin](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pierre-baron-de-Coubertin) (1863–1937), is usually credited as the person most responsible for starting the modern Olympic Games. He was a French educator who, at the 1889 Universal Exhibition in [Paris](https://www.britannica.com/place/Paris), launched a series of congresses on physical education and international sport that coincided with inspiring new archaeological finds from [Olympia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Olympia-ancient-site-Greece). He made a public call for an Olympic revival at one of these congresses in 1892, which initially fell on deaf ears. He persevered, and in 1894 a second Sorbonne congress resolved to hold an international [Olympic Games in Athens](https://www.britannica.com/event/Athens-1896-Olympic-Games), which took place in 1896. He was a founding member of the [International Olympic Committee](https://www.britannica.com/topic/International-Olympic-Committee) (IOC) and served as its president from 1896 to 1925. ### When were women first allowed to compete in the Olympics? Women athletes first competed at the modern Olympic Games in [1900 in Paris](https://www.britannica.com/event/Paris-1900-Olympic-Games). That year 22 women participated in [croquet](https://www.britannica.com/sports/croquet), [equestrian](https://www.britannica.com/topic/horsemanship), [golf](https://www.britannica.com/sports/golf), [sailing](https://www.britannica.com/), and [tennis](https://www.britannica.com/sports/tennis) events. The 2024 Games, also held in Paris, set the record for women’s participation: Women accounted for 49.2 percent of all athletes competing. ### Who has won the most Winter Olympic gold medals? Norwegian cross-country skier [Johannes Høsflot Klæbo](https://www.britannica.com/question/Who-is-Johannes-Hosflot-Klaebo-the-Winter-Olympian-with-the-most-gold-medals) has won the most gold medals at the Winter Olympics: 11. He set the record at the [2026 Milano Cortina Games](https://www.britannica.com/event/Milano-Cortina-2026-Olympic-Winter-Games). How do other Winter Olympians rank? Find out in the list below. - 1\. [Johannes Høsflot Klæbo](https://www.britannica.com/question/Who-is-Johannes-Hosflot-Klaebo-the-Winter-Olympian-with-the-most-gold-medals) (Norway; cross-country skiing): 11 - 2\. [Marit Bjørgen](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marit-Bjorgen) (Norway; cross-country skiing): 8 - 3\. [Ole Einar Bjørndalen](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ole-Einar-Bjorndalen) (Norway; biathlon, cross-country skiing): 8 - 4\. [Bjørn Daehlie](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bjorn-Daehlie) (Norway; cross-country skiing): 8 - 5\. [Ireen Wüst](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ireen-Wust) (Netherlands; speed skating): 6 ## News • [Swimming becomes first major Olympic sport to lift restrictions on Russian athletes](https://www.britannica.com/news/428005/21e6a5e3ad73844cb2eef29b72a96326) • Apr. 13, 2026, 1:04 PM ET (AP) ...(Show more) [Olympic gold medalist boxer at center of gender controversy advances to Asian semifinals](https://www.britannica.com/news/428005/15a5bb14953d80f53a048f59d2d439f0) • Apr. 3, 2026, 4:19 AM ET (AP) [Chang Ung, North Korean ex-IOC member who brokered Olympic joint marches with South, dies](https://www.britannica.com/news/428005/1fb702fe2c85e8ca2f94649711430028) • Apr. 1, 2026, 5:44 AM ET (AP) [A'ja Wilson returns to USA Basketball camp in Phoenix during Final Four week](https://www.britannica.com/news/428005/f2d649659ad9b716e3158900f8d43a03) • Mar. 31, 2026, 3:07 PM ET (AP) [Taiwan Olympic boxing champ involved in gender debate wins first bout at Asian titles](https://www.britannica.com/news/428005/32d906c7daf238565feb076fc1c8f75a) • Mar. 31, 2026, 6:06 AM ET (AP) Show less Olympic Games, athletic festival that originated in [ancient Greece](https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Greece) and was [revived](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/revived) in the late 19th century. Before the 1970s the Games were officially limited to competitors with amateur status, but in the 1980s many events were opened to professional athletes. Currently, the Games are open to all, even the top professional athletes in [basketball](https://www.britannica.com/sports/basketball) and [football (soccer)](https://www.britannica.com/sports/football-soccer). The [ancient Olympic Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ancient-Olympic-Games) included several of the sports that are now part of the [Summer Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Summer-Olympic-Games) program, which at times has included events in as many as 32 different [sports](https://www.britannica.com/sports/sports). In 1924 the [Winter Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Winter-Olympic-Games) were sanctioned for winter sports. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports [competition](https://www.britannica.com/science/competition-biotic-interaction). The next edition of the Olympics will be the [Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028](https://www.britannica.com/event/Los-Angeles-2028-Summer-Olympic-Games). The next Winter Olympics will be held in the French [Alps](https://www.britannica.com/place/Alps) in 2030. ## The ancient Olympic Games ## Origins [![When Were the First Olympic Games?](https://cdn.britannica.com/60/179660-138-487C22E7/Olympic-Games-Overview-Greece-Olympia.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/video/Olympic-Games-Overview-Greece-Olympia/-192454) When Were the First Olympic Games?Overview of the first Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia, Greece. (more) [See all videos for this article](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/images-videos) Just how far back in history organized athletic contests were held remains a matter of debate, but it is reasonably certain that they occurred in [Greece](https://www.britannica.com/place/Greece) almost 3,000 years ago. However ancient in origin, by the end of the 6th century bce at least four Greek sporting festivals, sometimes called “classical games,” had achieved major importance: the Olympic Games, held at [Olympia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Olympia-ancient-site-Greece); the [Pythian Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Pythian-Games) at [Delphi](https://www.britannica.com/place/Delphi-ancient-city-Greece); the [Nemean Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Nemean-Games) at Nemea; and the [Isthmian Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Isthmian-Games), held near [Corinth](https://www.britannica.com/place/Corinth-Greece). Later, similar festivals were held in nearly 150 cities as far afield as [Rome](https://www.britannica.com/place/Rome), [Naples](https://www.britannica.com/place/Naples-Italy), Odessus, [Antioch](https://www.britannica.com/place/Antioch-ancient-city-west-central-Turkey), and [Alexandria](https://www.britannica.com/place/Alexandria-Egypt). [![Olympic medals hang against a blurry background.](https://cdn.britannica.com/18/253818-138-7D8A15C6/olympics-history-ancient-greece-paris-olympic-games-2024.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/video/olympics-history-ancient-greece-paris-olympic-games-2024/-301770) What Is the History of the Olympics?The first Olympic Games consisted of a singular event: a footrace. (more) [See all videos for this article](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games/images-videos) Of all the games held throughout Greece, the Olympic Games were the most famous. Held every four years between August 6 and September 19, they occupied such an important place in Greek history that in late antiquity historians measured time by the interval between them—an Olympiad. The Olympic Games, like almost all Greek games, were an [intrinsic](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intrinsic) part of a religious festival. They were held in honor of [Zeus](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Zeus) at Olympia by the [city-state](https://www.britannica.com/topic/city-state) of [Elis](https://www.britannica.com/place/Elis) in the northwestern [Peloponnese](https://www.britannica.com/place/Peloponnese). The first Olympic [champion](https://www.britannica.com/topic/champion-English-history) listed in the records was Coroebus of Elis, a cook, who won the sprint race in 776 bce. Notions that the Olympics began much earlier than 776 bce are founded on [myth](https://www.britannica.com/topic/myth), not historical evidence. According to one [legend](https://www.britannica.com/art/legend-literature), for example, the Games were founded by [Heracles](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Heracles), son of Zeus and [Alcmene](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Alcmene). ## Competition and status [![Ancient Olympic Games](https://cdn.britannica.com/43/198043-050-06FA423B/events-Infographic-athletes-Olympic-Games-pankration-pentathlon.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/43/198043-050-06FA423B/events-Infographic-athletes-Olympic-Games-pankration-pentathlon.jpg) [Ancient Olympic Games](https://cdn.britannica.com/43/198043-050-06FA423B/events-Infographic-athletes-Olympic-Games-pankration-pentathlon.jpg)Infographic showing events in which athletes competed at the ancient Olympic Games, including running events, the pentathlon, and the pankration. (more) At the meeting in 776 bce there was apparently only one event, a [footrace](https://www.britannica.com/sports/sprint-running) that covered one length of the track at Olympia, but other events were added over the ensuing decades. The race, known as the [stade](https://www.britannica.com/science/stade-measurement), was about 192 meters (210 yards) long. The word stade also came to refer to the track on which the race was held and is the origin of the modern English word stadium. In 724 bce a two-length race, the [diaulos](https://www.britannica.com/sports/diaulos), roughly similar to the 400-meter race, was included, and four years later the [dolichos](https://www.britannica.com/sports/dolichos-running-race), a long-distance race possibly [comparable](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/comparable) to the modern 1,500- or 5,000-meter events, was added. [Wrestling](https://www.britannica.com/sports/wrestling#ref8012) and the [pentathlon](https://www.britannica.com/sports/pentathlon) were introduced in 708 bce. The latter was an all-around competition consisting of five events—the [long jump](https://www.britannica.com/sports/long-jump), the [javelin throw](https://www.britannica.com/sports/javelin-throw), the [discus throw](https://www.britannica.com/sports/discus-throw), a footrace, and wrestling. [![Silhouette of hand holding sport torch behind the rings of an Olympic flag, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; February 3, 2015.](https://cdn.britannica.com/44/190944-131-7D082864/Silhouette-hand-sport-torch-flag-rings-Olympic-February-3-2015.jpg) Britannica Quiz The Olympics Quiz](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/the-olympics-quiz) [![Wrestlers on an ancient Greek cup](https://cdn.britannica.com/59/19159-050-A02B04DA/Men-wrestling-detail-cup-Epictetus-Greek-Agora.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/59/19159-050-A02B04DA/Men-wrestling-detail-cup-Epictetus-Greek-Agora.jpg) [Wrestlers on an ancient Greek cup](https://cdn.britannica.com/59/19159-050-A02B04DA/Men-wrestling-detail-cup-Epictetus-Greek-Agora.jpg)Men wrestling, detail of an ancient Greek cup, by Epictetus, c. 520 bce; in the Agora Museum, Athens. (more) [Boxing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/boxing) was introduced in 688 bce and [chariot racing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/chariot-racing) eight years later. In 648 bce the [pancratium](https://www.britannica.com/sports/pankration) (from Greek pankration), a kind of no-holds-barred combat, was included. This brutal contest combined wrestling, boxing, and street fighting. Kicking and hitting a downed opponent were allowed; only biting and gouging (thrusting a finger or thumb into an opponent’s eye) were forbidden. Between 632 and 616 bce events for boys were introduced. And from time to time further events were added, including a footrace in which athletes ran in partial armor and contests for [heralds](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/heralds) and for trumpeters. The program, however, was not nearly so varied as that of the modern Olympics. There were neither team games nor ball games, and the [athletics](https://www.britannica.com/sports/athletics) (track and field) events were limited to the four running events and the pentathlon mentioned above. Chariot races and [horse racing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/horse-racing), which became part of the ancient Games, were held in the [hippodrome](https://www.britannica.com/technology/hippodrome-architecture) south of the stadium. In the early centuries of Olympic competition, all the contests took place on one day; later the Games were spread over four days, with a fifth devoted to the closing-ceremony presentation of prizes and a banquet for the champions. In most events the athletes participated in the nude. Through the centuries scholars have sought to explain this practice. Theories have ranged from the [eccentric](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eccentric) (to be nude in public without an [erection](https://www.britannica.com/science/erection) demonstrated self-control) to the usual anthropological, religious, and social explanations, including the following: (1) nudity bespeaks a [rite of passage](https://www.britannica.com/topic/rite-of-passage), (2) nudity was a holdover from the days of [hunting](https://www.britannica.com/sports/hunting-sport) and [gathering](https://www.britannica.com/topic/hunter-gatherer), (3) nudity had, for the Greeks, a magical power to ward off harm, and (4) public nudity was a kind of costume of the upper class. Historians grasp at dubious theories because, in Judeo-Christian society, to compete nude in public seems odd, if not scandalous. Yet ancient Greeks found nothing shameful about nudity, especially male nudity. Therefore, the many modern explanations of Greek athletic nudity are in the main unnecessary. Key People: [Jerry Lucas](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jerry-Lucas) [Pierre, baron de Coubertin](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pierre-baron-de-Coubertin) [Pat Summitt](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pat-Summitt) [Bob Knight](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Knight) [Sammy Lee](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sammy-Lee) (Show more) Related Topics: [organizing committee for the Olympic Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/organizing-committee-for-the-Olympic-Games) [Olympic Village](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Village) [Olympic flame](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-flame) [torch relay](https://www.britannica.com/sports/torch-relay) [national Olympic committee](https://www.britannica.com/sports/national-Olympic-committee) (Show more) Notable Honorees: [Jacques Anquetil](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jacques-Anquetil) [Oscar De La Hoya](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Oscar-De-La-Hoya) [Butch Reynolds](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Butch-Reynolds) [Tessa Virtue](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tessa-Virtue) (Show more) Related Facts And Data: [Tokyo - Facts](https://www.britannica.com/facts/Tokyo) (Show more) [See all related content](https://www.britannica.com/facts/Olympic-Games) Explore Britannica Premium\! Trusted knowledge for those who want to know more. [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=shorter-2026) ![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-left.webp) ![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-right.webp) ![Mobile](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-mobile.webp?w=400) The Olympic Games were technically restricted to freeborn Greeks. Many Greek competitors came from the Greek colonies on the [Italian peninsula](https://www.britannica.com/place/Italian-Peninsula) and in [Asia Minor](https://www.britannica.com/place/Anatolia) and [Africa](https://www.britannica.com/place/Africa). Most of the participants were professionals who trained full-time for the events. These athletes earned substantial prizes for winning at many other preliminary festivals, and, although the only prize at Olympia was a wreath or garland, an Olympic champion also received widespread [adulation](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adulation) and often lavish benefits from his home city. ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)Britannica AI chevron\_right Olympic Games close [AI-generated answers](https://www.britannica.com/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. Load Next Page Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. print Print Please select which sections you would like to print: verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style Raikar, Sanat Pai. "Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games". Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Mar. 2026, https://www.britannica.com/event/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games. Accessed 14 April 2026. Copy Citation Share Share to social media [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/) [X](https://x.com/britannica) URL <https://www.britannica.com/event/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games> External Websites - [BBC Sport - Winter Olympics: All you need to know about Beijing 2022](https://www.bbc.com/sport/winter-olympics/60199574) - [International Olympic Committee - Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022](https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/beijing-2022) - [Al Jazeera - Winter Olympics: What you need to know about Beijing 2022](https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2022/2/3/beijing-2022-winter-games-explainer) - [National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics: An opportunity to promote physical activity and winter sports in Chinese youth](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8847916/) Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. print Print Please select which sections you would like to print: verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style Abrahams, Harold Maurice, Young, David C.. "Olympic Games". Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Feb. 2026, https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games. Accessed 14 April 2026. Copy Citation Share Share to social media [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/) [X](https://x.com/britannica) URL <https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games> External Websites - [PBS LearningMedia - Origins of the Olympics \\| The Greeks](https://illinois.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/thegreeks_ep2_clip03/thegreeks_ep2_clip03/) - [HistoryWorld - History of the Olympic Games](http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac28) - [Humanities LibreTexts - Olympic games](https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Art/SmartHistory_of_Art_Individual_Books_V2/02%3A_Ancient_Mediterranean/05%3A_Ancient_Greece/5.01%3A_A_beginners_guide-_Ancient_Greece/5.1.07%3A_Olympic_games) - [World History Encyclopedia - Ancient Olympic Games](https://www.worldhistory.org/Olympic_Games/) Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. - [Olympic Games - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)](https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Olympic-Games/353563) - [Olympic Games - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)](https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Olympic-Games/276182)
Readable Markdown	Top Questions ### Which athlete won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games? ### Which countries won the most medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics? ### How many medals did the United States team win at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics? The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games were an international athletic competition held in [Beijing](https://www.britannica.com/place/Beijing), [China](https://www.britannica.com/place/China), that took place February 4–20, 2022. It was the 24th edition of the [Winter Olympic Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Origins-of-the-Olympic-Winter-Games). Beijing became the first city to host both the [Summer Olympics](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Summer-Olympic-Games) and the Winter Olympics, having previously hosted the Summer Games in [2008](https://www.britannica.com/event/Beijing-2008-Olympic-Games). In the lead-up to the Games, China faced [criticism](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criticism) related to its [human rights](https://www.britannica.com/topic/human-rights) record and calls for a diplomatic [boycott](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boycott) of the competition. Most of the events were closed to the public because of health [protocols](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protocols) related to the [ongoing](https://www.britannica.com/event/COVID-19-pandemic) [COVID-19](https://www.britannica.com/science/COVID-19) [pandemic](https://www.britannica.com/science/pandemic). ## Bidding and host selection In 2013 the [International Olympic Committee](https://www.britannica.com/topic/International-Olympic-Committee) (IOC) called for bids to host the 2022 Winter Games. Six cities—[Stockholm](https://www.britannica.com/place/Stockholm); [Kraków](https://www.britannica.com/place/Krakow), Poland; [Oslo](https://www.britannica.com/place/Oslo); [Lviv](https://www.britannica.com/place/Lviv-Ukraine), Ukraine; [Almaty](https://www.britannica.com/place/Almaty-Kazakhstan), Kazakhstan; and Beijing—submitted initial bids. By mid-2014 the four European cities had withdrawn their applications, most of them citing the high costs and stringent rules related to hosting the Games; Lviv withdrew because of [Russia’s covert invasion of eastern Ukraine](https://www.britannica.com/event/2022-Russian-invasion-of-Ukraine) in 2014. - Norway: 37 - Russian Olympic Committee: 32 - Germany: 27 - Canada: 26 - United States: 25 Note: Medal count per the [IOC website](https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/beijing-2022/medals). In early 2015 an IOC commission visited both Almaty and Beijing to evaluate their bids and readiness to host the Games. Almaty’s pitch highlighted that city’s favorable climate and proximity to snow-covered mountains, whereas Beijing cited its successful hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics and ability to use artificial snow to make up for its lack of natural [venues](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venues) for winter [sports](https://www.britannica.com/sports/sports). In a surprisingly close vote of 44–40 on July 31, 2015, the IOC delegates selected the heavy favorite China as host of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. [![Silhouette of hand holding sport torch behind the rings of an Olympic flag, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; February 3, 2015.](https://cdn.britannica.com/44/190944-131-7D082864/Silhouette-hand-sport-torch-flag-rings-Olympic-February-3-2015.jpg) Britannica Quiz The Olympics Quiz](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/the-olympics-quiz) ## Venues and organization The Beijing Games took place across three different “zones.” The opening and closing ceremonies were held at the 80,000-seat capacity [Beijing National Stadium](https://www.britannica.com/place/Beijing-National-Stadium), also known as the Bird’s Nest, which had been built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. The Beijing zone made use of several other venues from the 2008 Games, including the National Aquatics Stadium, nicknamed the Water Cube, which was turned into the “Ice Cube” and used for [curling](https://www.britannica.com/sports/curling). The capital city also hosted [ice hockey](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ice-hockey), [speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/speed-skating), big air skiing and snowboarding, and [figure skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/figure-skating) events. A second zone, in Yanqing district, 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Beijing, hosted the [Alpine skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Alpine-skiing) and sliding ([bobsled](https://www.britannica.com/sports/bobsledding), [luge](https://www.britannica.com/sports/lugeing), [skeleton](https://www.britannica.com/sports/skeleton-sledding)) events. A third zone was centered on [Zhangjiakou](https://www.britannica.com/place/Kalgan), a popular skiing destination more than 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Beijing, and hosted all the other skiing and [snowboarding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/snowboarding) events. Each zone had its own Olympic village to house athletes. In preparation for the Games, China constructed a new [high-speed railway](https://www.britannica.com/technology/high-speed-rail) between Beijing and Zhangjiakou that was completed in 2019. The mascot for the 2022 Games was a [giant panda](https://www.britannica.com/animal/giant-panda) character called Bing Dwen Dwen. The word bing in [Mandarin](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mandarin-language) has multiple meanings, including “ice,” and can also connote purity and strength. Dwen dwen means “robust and lively” and also “children.” The [motto](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/motto) of the Games was “Together for a shared future.” The Games took place more than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. As with the [2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games](https://www.britannica.com/event/Tokyo-2020-Olympic-Games) (delayed until 2021), stringent safety and health protocols were followed at the Beijing Games. Athletes and Olympics staff were required to undergo daily testing. All the competition venues, stadiums, catering, and accommodations were closed to the public, and participants also used separate transportation. Athletes who were not [vaccinated](https://www.britannica.com/science/COVID-19-vaccine) were required to quarantine for 21 days upon arrival. Overseas fans were not allowed, and only a few Chinese spectators, subject to health regulations and processes, were allowed in certain events. ## Competition and results [Erin Jackson](https://cdn.britannica.com/68/231168-050-A0043A21/Erin-Jackson-Team-United-States-Womens-500m-speed-skating-gold-medal-winner.jpg)American speed skater Erin Jackson races toward victory in the 500-meter long-track event at the 2022 Winter Olympics. The 2022 Games featured 109 events across 15 Olympic winter sports. Seven new events were added: women’s monobob, men’s and women’s [freestyle skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/freestyle-skiing) big air, and mixed team events in [short-track speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/short-track-speed-skating), [ski jumping](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ski-jumping), freestyle skiing [aerials](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/aerials), and snowboard cross. The Beijing Games were the most gender-balanced Olympics to that point, with more than 45 percent of the 2,834 participants being women. A total of 91 Olympic committees sent athletes to the Games, 29 of which won at least one medal. Although Russia was banned from sending athletes because of sanctions related to doping, Russian athletes were allowed to compete under the “Russian Olympic Committee” name. Trusted knowledge for those who want to know more. [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=shorter-2026) ![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-left.webp) ![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-right.webp) ![Mobile](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-mobile.webp?w=400) [Nathan Chen](https://cdn.britannica.com/54/231054-050-D916A8F4/Nathan-Chen-Winter-Olympics-2022-Short-program.jpg)American figure skater Nathan Chen spinning during a jump element while competing at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, February 8, 2022. Standout performers at the Games included Eileen (Ailing) Gu, an American-born skier competing for China who won two gold medals and one silver medal in freestyle skiing events, and Nathan Chen, an American figure skater who set a world record in the individual short program en route to winning an individual gold and also earned a team gold medal. Biathletes Johannes Thingnes Bø (Norway), Quentin Fillon Maillet (France), and Marte Olsbu Røiseland (Norway) and cross-country skier Alexander Bolshunov (ROC) won the most medals at the Games with five each. Bø had the most gold medals with four. According to research commissioned by the IOC, a global audience of more than two billion people viewed the Games across broadcast and Internet platforms, a 5 percent increase over the previous Winter Games, held in [2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea](https://www.britannica.com/event/Pyeongchang-2018-Winter-Olympic-Games). Several countries, including the [United States](https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States), [Canada](https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada), and India, declared a diplomatic boycott of the Games and did not send any officials or ministers to attend. The United States and others cited China’s [alleged](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alleged) atrocities, including forced internment and sterilization, against the [Uyghur](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Uyghur) minority population in the [Uyghur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang](https://www.britannica.com/place/Xinjiang), as the reason for their boycott. China criticized the move as a politicization of the Olympics, and, in a choice interpreted by skeptical observers in the West as a defiant gesture, it assigned cross-country skier Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a Uyghur from Xinjiang, to light the Olympic flame at the opening ceremonies. Quick Facts Date: February 4, 2022 - February 20, 2022 The biggest sports-related controversy at the 2022 Games was [doping](https://www.britannica.com/story/olympics-a-survey-of-banned-substances) allegations against Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who was 15 years old at the time. Valieva helped her team win gold in the team event, but several days later a sample taken from Valieva in December 2021 was revealed to have tested positive for a banned substance. Valieva was permitted to compete in the individual women’s event, in which she was considered the heavy favorite, but she finished in fourth place. In January 2024 a ruling by the Court of Arbitration of Sport retroactively disqualified Valieva from the 2022 Games, stripping the Russian Olympic Committee of its team gold medal.
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