The world always looks forward to the Olympic Games when the best athletes from different countries compete and vie for the much-coveted Olympic medals.
The Olympic Games are composed of 35 sports, and the following are the 10 most popular of them all:
1. Gymnastics
While a world championship in gymnastics doesn’t break box office records or make TV headlines, this sport ranks first during the Olympics. It has been part of the Games since the first-ever 1896 modern Summer Olympic Games.
2. Swimming
Other mainstream sports often overshadow swimming, but this is not the case at the Olympic Games. Ranking second next to track and field when it comes to the greatest number of events, swimming has remained popular partly because of several pool legends, such as Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz, Ian Thorpe, and Katie Ledecky.
3. Track and Field
Athletic events have their roots in the ancient Greek Olympics. Athletics is also the largest sport when it comes to events and competitors. There is always something thrilling with watching the world’s fastest women and men give their all at the tracks.
4. Water Sports
Water sports include rafting, diving, and the like. The category doesn’t include swimming because it is a huge category on its own. There is something about water sports that make the audience’s eyes glued to the screen.
5. Volleyball (Field and Beach)
It was in 1964 when competitive volleyball became an official part of the Summer Olympics. It was applicable for both men and women, unlike other games.
6. Basketball
Basketball takes the 6th spot in the top 10 most popular Olympic sports. The game has been originally an Olympic sport for men in 1936. But after 40 years in 1976, the Olympics also started to include women’s basketball.
7. Soccer or Association Football
Football is among the most popular sports all over the world, so it is not a big surprise that it is also one of the most famous Olympic sports to date. The sport was not a part of the Olympics during its early years, and it was only in 1996 when women’s soccer became a part of the summer Olympics.
8. Tennis
For the past few years, tennis has become a pretty big deal with all the superstars starting to take part in the events. Tennis hotshots including Serena Williams and the three biggest names in tennis, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, all attract huge crowds anywhere they go, and it also happens during the Olympics.
9. Weightlifting
Olympic weightlifting is yet another extremely popular crowd favorite during the Games. Three attempts are given to every weightlifter, and the overall total of the two highest successful lifts will determine the final result in a bodyweight category. Every winner acquires the title of the strongest athlete in their specific bodyweight category.
10. Rugby
Rounding up the list of the top 10 most popular Olympic sports is rugby, which became more famous during the 2016 Rio Olympics. The sevens format was a huge hit with sold-out seats and millions across the world watched the competition play out.