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Olympic Games Sports Changes

The first Olympic Games had just nine sports, and since then there have been regular changes in the number and types of sports on the program. There are currently 32 sports on the Olympic program (see Paris sports list) and many other sports recognized by the IOC but not currently on the program.

Breakdancing at the Olympic Games Breakdancing was a controversial inclusion for the 2024 Olympic sports

There is a core of five sports that have been on every Olympic program, Athletics, Cycling, Fencing, Gymnastics and Swimming, while others have come and gone, and sometimes come back again (see discontinued Olympic sports).

Below are links to lists of the sports on the program for each Olympiad. This data has also been presented as the number of sports for each Olympic Games and changes each Olympiad. See also the lists of Olympic demonstration sports.

Year: 2028, 2024, 2020, 2016, 2012, 2008, 2004, 2000, 1996, 1992, 1988, 1984, 1980, 1976, 1972, 1968, 1964, 1960, 1956, 1952, 1948, 1936, 1932, 1928, 1924, 1920, 1912, 1908, 1904, 1900, 1896.



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Olympics Extra

The next Olympics will be in LA 2028, the next Winter edition in Milan-Cortina 2026. Check out the list of Olympic Games sports, as well as discontinued and demonstration sports.

Major Events Extra

The largest sporting event in the world is the Olympic Games, but there are many other multi-sport games. In terms of single sport events, nothing beats the FIFA World Cup. To see what's coming up, check out the calendar of major sporting events.

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