2012 XXX Olympiad @ London

Interesting facts you should know !

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2012 Summer Olympics is set to begin this month at London. This will be the XXX Olympiad and its motto will be to "inspire a generation". Around 20,000 athletes from 200 nations are expected to compete for the coveted medal in 300 events. Billions of dollars have been spent to build new facilities and to improve existing facilities. An Olympic stadium to hold 80,000 spectators and 200 hectare Olympic park in East London are notable developments. The Summer Olympics will be followed by the Para-Olympics at the same venue.

In this brain tickler section, we have captured few interesting facts about this event. See whether you are up to speed with the happenings.

Image credit: purehdwallpaper.com	Usually athletes competed for 28 sports in Summer Olympics but London will host only 26 sports. Which of the following sports were dropped for this event? a. Karate and Squash b. Baseball and Softball c. Baseball and Cricket d. Women's boxing and Beach Volley ball Answer: [b] When London won against Paris, New York, Madrid and Moscow, the IOC decided to drop Baseball and Softball from the list of competition. Karate and Squash, which are not part of the current events, was considered as a probable replacement but it could not gather enough votes to be included. For the first time women's boxing is included in the programe.
Image credit:purehdwallpaper.com	2012 Olympics has put London in a rare record among the hosted venues. Do you know why? a. London is the only venue to host Olympic 2 times b. London is the only venue to host Olympic 3 times c. London was the venue where first Olympic was hosted d. London is the only venue to host both Summer and Winter Olympics Answer: [b] After 2012, London will be the only venue which would have hosted Olympic 3 times. London has hosted Olympic previously in years 1908 and 1948.
Image credit: purehdwallpaper.com	UK's first Olympic champion Launceston Elliot who won the Single Hand Weightlifting Competition at the 1896 Athens Games was not born in Britain. Do you know where was he born? a. Ireland b. Scotland c. France d. India Answer: [d] Launceston Elliot, who was a Scottish Aristocrat, was born in India.
Image credit: purehdwallpaper.com	What are the mascots for 2012 Summer Olympics? a. Two tiger cubs b. Two polar bears c. Drops of steel with cameras for eyes d. Alpine Chamios Answer: [c] Olympic mascot Wenlock (right) and Paralympic mascot Mandeville (left) are the official mascots of the 2012 London Summer Olympics. The sporty duo have cameras for eyes and taxi headlights, and Wenlock has friendship bracelets in the color of Olympic rings while Mandeville has a pink stopwatch to signify the competitive spirit of the games.
Image credit:: purehdwallpaper.com	Around 3200g of gold will be used to plate the medals that will be awarded to the winner at London Olympics. Before it was commercialized, what was really awarded as a prize to winners? a. Wreath of Olive leaves b. Cash award (500 drachamai or 100 drachamai) c. Material prize such as valuable metal, tripods, cauldrons d. Free meal for life Answer: [a] According to Phlegon, a Roman author of the 2nd century AD, the wreath of olive leaves was instituted as the prize for victors at Olympia in 752 BC, on the advice of the Oracle at Delphi. However, there are writings which has documented cash awards, material prizes and free meal for life (an olden day pension scheme)!

Hope you had fun!