My favourite Olympic sport: Canoe / kayak

Rules

The ‘gates’ are placed specifically in locations so the competitor passes them downstream, (green gates), or upstream - against the current - (red gates, of which there must be at least six in the course).

A competitor receives a two-point penalty for touching a gate during the race and a fifty-point penalty for missing a gate. Penalty points are added to the final time. (For example: a competitor finishes in a time of 2:20:82. Each second counts for one point., making 2:20:82 minutes a total of 140.82 points. However, during the race the competitor touched a gate once and missed another one. Two further points are added for touching one gate and an additional fifty points for failing to go through a gate, bringing the total up to 192.82 points). The winner is the competitor with the least amount of points.

In the slalom race there are heats (two runs), semi-finals (one run) and finals (one run). Every competitor / crew races on his / her own boat down the course, the opponent being the clock and the gates to be passed. Depending on the number of participating athletes, competitors usually start at one-minute intervals in the heats and up to two-and-a-half minute intervals in the finals.

There are four disciplines in the Olympic programme: three men’s (K1, C1, C2) and one women’s (Κ1). Corresponding team events are held at World Championships and World Cups, with each team consisting of three boats.

Weighing the boat and measuring its dimensions before the contest starts and after each race is an important competition procedure. Additionally, the specifications of the helmet and the buoyancy of the competitor’s lifejacket (weighing 6 kg) are checked.

Equipment

A competitor in Canoe / kayak slalom racing must wear a lifejacket and protective helmet. A neoprene suit is optional, but the competitor must wear a special spray skirtaround the waist, buttoning on to the craft and preventing water from getting into the competitor’s seat.

Boat specifications:
Boat	Κ1	C1	C2
Minimum length (cm)	400	400	458
Minimum width (cm)	060	070	080
Minimum weight (kg)	9	10	15

TOP | BACK TO OLYMPIC GAMES

My favourite Olympic sport: Handball

Olympic sport since 1936

History

DISCIPLINE'S ORIGIN

The modern game of handball was first played towards the end of the 19th century in Denmark, Germany and Sweden. Recognition of field handball based on the games of "Raffball" (snatch ball) and "Königsbergerball" (Konrad Koch, 1846-1911) occurred at the turn of the century. G. Wallström introduced Sweden to the sport of "handball" in 1910.
The sport evolved and grew in popularity early in the 20th century and ironically it was the secretary general of the Association Internationale de Football, a Dutchman called Hirschmann, who encouraged the spread of field handball in 1912. The first set of rules for field handball were drawn up in 1917 by Max Heiser, and in 1919 Berlin sports teacher Karl Schelenz launched this form of handball played on a full size outdoor football pitch. Later on he improved the rules and he is now generally regarded as one of the founding fathers of handball.
The International Amateur Handball Federation (IAHF) was set up in 1928 on the occasion of the Olympic Games in Amsterdam. In 1938 the first Field Handball World Championship was played in Germany. The International Handball Federation was formed in 1946 by the eight founding members of the IAHF. At that time both the 11-a-side field handball played in Europe and a new 7-a-side indoor version preferred by the Scandinavians had equal popularity. Between 1938 and 1966 both forms of handball were played at separate World Championships.

OLYMPIC HISTORY

COMPETITION
Handball is a fast-paced game involving two teams of seven players who pass, throw, catch and dribble a small ball with their hands while trying to score goals. The team with the most goals wins the game. A game consists of two 30-minute halves with a 10-minute half-time break. Men and women compete in separate events. The difference is that the men's event features a 12-team tournament and the women's features a 10-team tournament.

Equipment

BALL

The ball, with a leather casing, ranges in circumference from 58 to 60 centimetres for men and 54 to 56 for women. It weighs 425 to 475 grams for men, 325 to 400 for women.

COURT

The court for handball is 40 metres long and 20 metres wide. A centre line across it divides it into two equal courts, with a goal area at each end. The goal area is D-shaped, arcing from the corners to a straight line six metres in front of the goal. The arcing sides similarly create a six-metre distance from the nearest part of the goal at all points.

Glossar

Back line: A line across the end of the court, but not including the goal line; also called the "outer goal line".
Centre back: A player centred largely around midcourt who directs the offence and shoots or tries to penetrate the defence; also called a "playmaker".
Centre line: A line across the court dividing it into two halves.
Corner throw: An offensive player's throw from a corner at the offensive end of the court, restarting play after the ball has gone over the back line after being touched by a defender other than the goalkeeper.
Court player: Any player on the court except a goalkeeper; also known as a "field player".
Dribble: To move the ball by bouncing it on the floor.
Exclusion: When a player is ejected from the game with no replacement allowed.
Field player: Any player on the court except a goalkeeper; also known as a "court player".
Four-metre line: A line four metres in front of a goal that marks the limit of where a goalkeeper may advance to defend against a penalty throw; also known as the "goalkeeper's restraining line".
Free throw: A fresh start to offensive play without interference from the defence, awarded for a minor offence by the opponent.
Free-throw line: An arcing dotted line extending nine metres from the goal, marking where an attacking team resumes play after being fouled inside the line; also called the "nine-metre line".
Goal area: The D-shaped area extending six metres from the goal and occupied only by the goalkeeper.
Goal area line: An arcing line that defines the goal area; also called the "six-metre line".
Goal line: The line the ball must cross to score a goal.
Goal throw: A throw-in from a goalkeeper to a team-mate, restarting play after the goalkeeper or the opposition last touched the ball before it passed over the back line.
Goalkeeper: The player in charge of defending the goal.
Goalkeeper's restraining line: A line four metres in front of a goal that marks the limit of where a goalkeeper may advance to defend against a penalty throw; also known as the "four-metre line".
Harpaston: An ancient Roman team sport believed to be a forerunner to handball, in which players threw a small ball to team-mates while trying to avoid opposing players.
Jump shot: A shot attempted while leaping.
Line player: An offensive player who plays largely around the six-metre line; also called a "pivot".
Nine-metre line: An arcing dotted line extending nine metres from the goal, marking where an attacking team resumes play after being fouled inside the line; also called the "free-throw line".
Outer goal line: A line across the end of the court, but not including the goal line; also called the "back line".
Penalty line: A one-metre line seven metres in front of the goal where penalty throws are attempted; also called the "seven-metre line".
Penalty shoot-out: A tie-breaking system where, after a tied game, players on each team try to score against the opposing goalkeeper from the penalty line to determine a winner.
Penalty throw: A seven-metre shot at goal defended only by the goalkeeper and awarded for a serious offence or because the defence illegally spoiled a clear chance to score a goal; also called a "seven-metre throw".
Pivot: An offensive player who plays largely around the six-metre line; also called a "line player".
Playmaker: A player centred largely around midcourt who directs the offence and shoots or tries to penetrate the defence; also called a "centre back".
Red card: A card signifying a referee has ejected a player from the game.
Referee throw: Similar to a jump ball in basketball, a throw into the air by the referee so a player on each team can jump and try to gain control of the ball.
Running shot: A shot attempted while running.
Seven-metre line: A one-metre line seven metres in front of the goal where penalty throws are attempted; also called the "penalty line".
Seven-metre throw: A seven-metre shot at goal defended only by the goalkeeper and awarded for a serious infraction or because the defence illegally spoiled a clear chance to score a goal; also called a "penalty throw".
Shooter: A player, usually tall and a good jumper, who shoots from the backcourt.
Sideline: A boundary line marking a side of the court.
Six-metre line: An arcing line that defines the goal area; also called the "goal area line".
Throw-in: A throw from the side of the court to restart play after the ball has gone over the sidelines.
Throw-off: A throw from the centre line to a team-mate at least three metres away and behind the line, used to restart play.
Two-minute suspension: The penalty for a second warning from the referee or for any severe foul or unsportsmanlike behaviour.
Wing: A player who plays largely along the side of the court.
Yellow card: A card signifying the referee has warned a player about an infraction.

TOP | BACK TO OLYMPIC GAMES

My favourite Olympic sport: Hockey

Olympic sport since 1908

Hockey is the oldest known ball and stick game. Records exist of it having been played in Persia in 2000 BC. In medieval Europe, pictures of men playing a game with hooked sticks appear on stained-glass windows at both the Canterbury and Gloucester cathedrals. It became so popular by the Middle Ages that it was banned in England for a time because it interfered with the practice of archery, which was the basis for national defense. The name hockey probably derives from the French hocquet, or shepherd's crook, and refers to the crooked stick.

India dominated the sport for three decades, winning all six Olympic gold medals and 30 consecutive games from 1928 to 1956. The first Balbir Singh, who was followed by four more players of the same name who also played for victorious Indian teams, scored five goals in a 6-1 gold-medal victory over the Netherlands at Helsinki in 1952.

COMPETITION
Men's event:- Teams will be placed into two pools of six for the preliminary rounds. Each team play the other teams in that pool. The top two teams in each pool proceed to the semi-finals. The remaining teams play classification matches for places 5 - 12. Semi-final winners play for the gold and silver medals. Semi-final losers play for the bronze.
Teams will be placed into two pools of five for the preliminary rounds. Each team play the other teams in that pool. The top two teams in each pool proceed to the semi-finals. The remaining teams play classification matches for places 5 - 10. Semi-final winners play for the gold and silver medals. Semi-finals losers play for the bronze.

DISCIPLINE'S ORIGIN
Hockey is the oldest known ball and stick game. Records exist of it having been played in Persia in 2000 BC. In mediaeval Europe, pictures of men playing a game with hooked sticks appear on stained-glass windows at both the Canterbury and Gloucester cathedrals. It became so popular by the Middle Ages that it was banned in England for a time because it interfered with the practice of archery, which was the basis for national defence. The name hockey probably derives from the French hocquet, or shepherd's crook, and refers to the crooked stick.
Hockey began as a sport in the late 19th century. The first hockey club is considered to be the Blackheath Football and Hockey Club in south-east London, which dates back to at least 1861, and possibly the 1840s. The first groups were formed in Great Britain. These included the National Hockey Union that was located in the Bristol area from 1887-1895, and the national governing body, the Amateur Hockey Association, that was formed in London in 1886. Hockey truly developed as a British sport, before being carried to the four corners of the British Empire by the nation's soldiers and other workers. Most of the dominant nations in the sport are, or were, members of the British Empire. This includes India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, and England.

OLYMPIC HISTORY

Hockey for men first appeared on the Olympic programme in 1908 and since its return in 1920 it has been on the programme ever since. In 1980, hockey for women was first introduced as an Olympic sport. During the 2000 Sydney Games men competed in a 12-team tournament, while women competed in a 10-team tournament, an increase of two teams for women from 1996

Glossar

Attacker: A player positioned at the offensive end of the pitch for a team; also known as a "forward".
Back-line: The line marking the end of the pitch and including the goal-line between the goal posts.
Bully: A method of restarting play following a stoppage not caused by a breach, similar to a "drop ball" in football. Two players face each other, tap their sticks alternately on the ground and together before contesting the ball.
Centre line: The line across the pitch that divides it in half.
Centre mark: The mark in the centre of the pitch where the ball is placed to start a half or following a goal.
Circle: Short for the "striking circle", "goal circle" or "shooting circle", a D-shaped area in front of each goal which an attacking player must enter to score a goal.
Corner hit: Taken five metres from the corner flag after the ball is hit unintentionally by the defending team across the back-line. Also known as a "long corner"
Defender: A player positioned at the defensive end of the pitch for a team; also known as a "fullback".
Dribble: To move while controlling the ball with the stick.
Field goal: A goal scored from open, continuous play.
Field players: The 10 players on the field besides the goalkeeper.
Flick: To push the ball with the stick and raise it into the air: also called "scoop".
Forward: A player positioned at the offensive end of the pitch for a team; also known as an "attacker".
Free hit: A passing opportunity awarded to a player for any offence by the opposition outside the goal circle.
Fullback: A player positioned at the defensive end of the pitch for a team; also known as a "defender".
Goal circle: A D-shaped area in front of the goal where a goalkeeper is allowed to use any part of the body to stop the ball; also called the "striking circle", the "circle" and the "shooting circle".
Goalkeeper: The player on each team who defends the goal.
Goal-line: The back-line between the goal posts.
Green card: A card signifying the referee is warning a player about a specific act committed.
Halfback: A player positioned generally around the middle of the field for a team; also known as a "midfielder".
Hit: To strike the ball with a swinging motion.
Kicker: A protective device worn by a goalkeeper and fastened over the front and sides of the shoe to allow him or her to kick the ball.
Long corner: The common name for a "corner hit".
Midfielder: A player positioned generally around the middle of the field for a team; also known as a "halfback".
Obstruction: A violation most commonly called for using the body or stick to shield or hinder another player from hitting the ball or for physically interfering with an opposing player.
Pass back: The opening pass of a half or following a goal, from a centre to a team-mate behind him or her; also called "push back".
Penalty corner: A free hit awarded to a team about nine metres from the nearest goalpost, allowing a player to pass the ball to a team-mate just outside the goal circle for a shot; also called a " short corner".
Penalty stroke: A free shot awarded to a player from a spot 6.4 metres from the goal, with only the goalkeeper allowed to stop it.
Push: To move the ball along the ground with the stick after the stick has been placed close to the ball.
Push back: The opening pass of a half or following a goal, from a centre to a team-mate behind him or her; also called a "centre pass" or "pass back".
Red card: A card shown by the umpire to suspend a player permanently.
Scoop: To push the ball with the stick and raise it into the air.
Shooting circle: A D-shaped area in front of each goal, which an attacking player must enter before shooting a goal; also known as the "circle", "striking circle" and "goal circle".
Sideline: A side boundary on a hockey field.
Striking circle: A D-shaped area in front of each goal, which an attacking player must enter before shooting a goal; also known as the "circle", "goal circle" and "shooting circle".
Tackle: To attempt to steal the ball from another player.
Yellow card: A card signifying the umpire has suspended a player. The umpire usually indicates the length of suspension

TOP | BACK TO OLYMPIC GAMES

My favourite Olympic sport: Shooting

Olympic sport since 1896

ABOUT
Olympic history abounds with tales of athletes who overcame crippling adversity to win gold medals, but Karoly Takacs' comeback may be the best. Takacs was part of Hungary's world-champion pistol-shooting team in 1938 when an army grenade exploded in his right hand. Ten years later, he won the first two golds in rapid-fire pistol - after teaching himself to shoot left-handed.
In a sport where the bullseye looks about the size of the full stop at the end of this sentence, a sport where shooters compete amid a cacophony of noise and still concentrate on firing between heartbeats, Takacs' achievement tests the imagination.
From just three shooting events at the 1896 Olympic Games to 17 today, the sport has grown steadily. In part this leap can be ascribed to advances in the technology of firearms and equipment, which have led to constant changes in the shooting competition. But it can also be ascribed to the passion shooters have for their sport.

COMPETITION
At the Olympics there are 17 events: seven for women and ten for men.
The shooting events are divided into four different groups: shotgun, rifle, pistol and running-target events. The shotgun events see competitors shoot at clay targets propelled in different directions. The rifle and pistol events are held on shooting ranges with competitors aiming at targets from distances of 10 metres, 25 metres and 50 metres. The running target event has shooters firing at a moving target as it moves across a two-metre opening, from a distance of 10 metres.

History

DISCIPLINE'S ORIGIN
Shooting originated as a means of survival, as it was practised in order to hunt game for food. In the 19th century, however, as the industrial revolution made hunting for food less necessary for many people, shooting evolved into a sport. The sport was first popular in English-speaking countries, notably England and the United States, as well as Ireland and South Africa. The National Rifle Association (USA) was formed in 1871 and provided the impetus for the development of shooting as an organised form of sport in the United States

OLYMPIC HISTORY

Shooting has been contested at most of the Olympic Games. The sport first appeared in 1896. There were also events in 1900, but none were contested during the 1904 and 1928 Games.
The programme has varied just as much as any of the other sports (with the possible exception of sailing/yachting). In 1908, 1912, 1920 and 1924 there were dozens of events, including multiple team events. Thus it was possible for shooters to win many medals at these Olympics. After a hiatus in 1928, the sport returned to the Olympics in 1932 with only two events - one for pistols and one for rifles. Since World War II the programme has become relatively standardised.
Women were first allowed to compete in Olympic shooting in 1968. In that year Mexico, Peru and Poland each entered one female contestant. In 1984 the International Shooting Union (UIT) now called the ISSF - International Shooting Sport Federation introduced separate events for women. Between 1984 and 1992 the number of women's events increased gradually. In addition, several of the events on the programme remained mixed, i.e. open to both men and women. As of 1996 in Atlanta, the shooting programme was segregated, with men's events being separated from the women's.

TOP | BACK TO OLYMPIC GAMES