The Olympic Games could not be held thrice in the years 1916, 1940 and 1944 due to World War I and II.

•The word ‘gymnasium’ comes from the Greek root ‘gymnos’ meaning nude; the literal meaning of ‘gymnasium’ is ‘school for naked exercise’. Athletes in the ancient Olympic Games would participate in the nude.

•Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser won eight Olympic medals, including four golds, and six Commonwealth Games gold medals. Fraser also held 39 records.

•US swimmer Spitz made his name at the 1972 Munich Olympics, winning all seven events he entered and setting a world record in every one.

•There are around 70,000 Olympic games volunteers this year.

•China has spent an estimated $40 billion on Beijing’s pre-Olympic makeover.

•Brazil which has won five FIFA World Cups has never won an Olympic title.

•The United States will take more than 630 athletes to the Beijing Games and aims to win 40 gold medals.