I am no expert on athletics. In fact, even if I know the basic rules of a sport, I can only watch a few minutes before my eyes begin to glaze over. However, I have enjoyed watching some clips of the Olympics during the past two weeks. And of course I’m always up for some trivia and historical details. Since I don’t know enough to write an informative post about Olympic history on my own, I decided to take advantage of Smithsonian Magazine’s treasure trove of interesting articles. So here is a list of questions you might have paired with the Smithsonian articles to give you the answers. Enjoy.

What was it like to be a spectator at the Ancient Olympics?

“Spectators braved all manner of discomfort—from oppressive heat to incessant badgering by vendors—to witness ancient Greece’s ultimate pagan festival.”

Where did the modern Olympics get their start?

In rural England in the 19th century.

Who made up the first American Olympic team?

The men of the Boston Athletic Association who traveled to Athens in 1896. 

How old is the sport of synchronized swimming?

It dates back to Ancient Rome!

Why don’t sprinters use starting pistols anymore?

“The speed of sound is too slow for Olympic athletes. That is to say, athletes far away from the starting pistol were delayed by the time it took for the sound to travel to them, and differences so tiny can matter in races in which the margins are so small.”

What were the “Austerity” Games?

The 1948 Games in London took place when food was still rationed and thousands of people lived in temporary housing.

What was the “Blood on the Water” game?

A water polo match between Hungary and the Soviet Union that took place “in December 1956, just a month after the Soviet Union had crushed a Hungarian revolt in Budapest.”

Who was the first African-American woman to compete in the Olympics?

Tidye Pickett, who competed in the 80-meter hurdles in 1936.

Why were medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos suspended in 1968?

For “politicizing the Games” in their dress and gestures of protest on the podium.

How do Olympic athletes keep getting better?

Athletes are much more specialized these days, with body types that suit specific sports. 

Is cheating in the Olympics a new thing?

Nope.

Do female athletes ever compete in the Olympics while pregnant?

Yes. For example, in 1948 Fanny Blankers-Koen won four gold medals in track and field while pregnant with her third child.

What is the Coubertin medal?

An award “for special gestures and acts that exemplify the spirit of the Olympic Games.”

Did the Olympics ever give out medals for non-athletic accomplishments?

In the first four decades of the modern Olympics, you could win a medal for painting, literature, music, and more.

What’s the history of Olympic pictograms?

They were first used at the 1948 Games but have undergone interesting changes in subsequent decades.

What happens to Olympic infrastructure after the Games?

Well, this Olympic Village was turned into a prison.

 Does the International Olympic Committee have an archive?

Yes, and they recently “rescued, digitized and conserved over 30,000 hours of video and 500,000 pictures.”

Even though the Rio Olympics are over now, I hope you continue to be entertained by all these fascinating articles.