We bloody love an Olympics, and if you don’t well, you better get used to it because starting this weekend updates from Rio will spred quicker than the Zika virus and will be harder to dodge than a Russian olympian’s drug test.
If you’re concerned that most of this month’s social time will be surrounded by wall-to-wall giant TV screens of people doing rhythmic gymnastics, while groups of people sit around pretending to talk about the finer points of Equine Dressage scoring system*, then you’re in luck. Below, we compiled some easy-memorisable facts that you can bust out to impress your friends and show that you’ve got enough ‘Olympic spirit’ to put you in medal contention for office-know-it-all.
***
When is it?
August 5 to 21
What TV channel will it be on in the Gulf?
Abu Dhabi Sports
How many countries compete?
205
What is special about it?
Rio de Janeiro will be the first ever South American host of the Olympics
How many sports are there?
42
Are there any new ones?
Yes, golf and rugby 7s
How many athletes will there be?
10,000
Did you know…
There will be athletes who were born in the year 2000(!) competing in the gymnastics
Who is the Gulf’s most likely medal contender?
Qatari high-jumper Mutaz Barshim
What is the individual record for Olympic medals?
22, by US swimmer Michael Phelps
What is the longest-standing Olympic record?
Bob Beamon’s long-jump record of 8.90cm was set in 1968
How many UAE athletes will be competing?
12, mainly involved in shooting, judo and track and field
Has the UAE ever won a gold medal?
Yes. Sheikh Ahmed bin Hasher Al Maktoum won gold in 2004 in the Men’s Double Trap shooting
Did you know…
the Rio gold medal is actually made of 92 percent silver, the rest is gold plating
How much is the material cost of a Rio gold medal?
Dhs1,865
**BONUS FACT**
In Equine Dressage, the lower the score, the better the ride. This is because points tend to signal any penalties accrued by the rider.
