When I first sat down to write about Olympic sports, I found myself reflecting on what makes the Games so compelling. It's not just about the world's best athletes competing for gold—it's about the stories behind every performance, the years of sacrifice, and those unexpected moments when backup players suddenly find themselves center stage. I remember watching the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and being struck by how even the most prepared athletes sometimes find themselves in situations they never anticipated, much like the volleyball player Alba once described: "I thought at that time I was really just a backup. Given that ate (Sisi Rondina) was really in front, I just gave my best. I didn't expect it but I was ready." That mindset—being prepared for the unexpected while fully acknowledging your role—captures the essence of what it means to compete at the Olympics, whether you're a star athlete or a supporting player waiting for your moment.
The Olympic program has evolved dramatically since I started following the Games as a child. Back in 1896, there were just 9 sports and 43 events—all for male athletes, mind you—compared to the 33 sports and 339 events we saw in Tokyo. I've always been fascinated by how the International Olympic Committee decides what stays and what goes. Some sports like athletics and swimming feel like they've been there forever (because they practically have), while others come and go based on popularity, global participation, and frankly, what brings in television viewers. I'll admit I have my favorites—there's something magical about watching the marathon that even the most high-tech new sports can't replicate—but what impresses me is how the Olympics continually refresh themselves while maintaining traditions that connect us to ancient Greece.
Let me walk you through the current Olympic sports landscape, starting with what I consider the backbone of the Games: the core sports. Athletics—what most people call track and field—is arguably the heart of the Olympics, with 48 events ranging from sprints to marathon to field events. I've always felt there's something primal about watching humans run, jump, and throw at the absolute limits of their capability. Then you have aquatics, which isn't just one sport but four distinct disciplines: swimming with its 35 events, diving with its breathtaking precision, water polo that demands incredible endurance, and artistic swimming that blends athletics with performance art. Swimming particularly stands out in my memory—I'll never forget watching Michael Phelps win his 23rd gold medal in Rio, a record that seems almost untouchable.
The team sports bring a different kind of energy to the Olympics. Basketball always draws huge crowds, both for the traditional game and the newer 3x3 version added in 2020. I have to confess I prefer the NBA's style of play, but there's something special about seeing national teams compete with so much pride on the line. Volleyball—both indoor and beach—has produced some of my favorite Olympic moments. Beach volleyball particularly captures the festive spirit of the Games, with players competing in stunning locations against backdrop of cheering crowds. It reminds me of that quote from Alba about being ready when called upon—in team sports, every player needs that mentality, because you never know when your moment might come.
What many people don't realize is how many Olympic sports exist outside the spotlight. Take modern pentathlon, for instance—it's one of those sports that seems almost comically difficult, combining fencing, swimming, equestrian, and a combined running and shooting event. Or how about sports like archery and shooting, where athletes maintain incredible focus under pressure? I've tried archery at a local range and can attest that hitting even a stationary target requires immense concentration, let alone competing for gold with the world watching. Then there are the combat sports—boxing, judo, taekwondo, wrestling, and the newly added karate—each with their own traditions and techniques. I've always been drawn to judo personally, fascinated by how it turns an opponent's strength against them.
The Winter Olympics features an entirely different set of sports, though they share the same Olympic spirit. I've been fortunate enough to attend one Winter Games, and watching alpine skiing in person took my breath away—the speed is something television simply cannot capture. Figure skating remains the crown jewel of the Winter Olympics in terms of viewership, with nearly 20 million Americans tuning in for the women's finals during the 2018 Games. My personal favorite winter sport is ice hockey—the intensity of the matches, especially between traditional rivals like Canada and the USA, creates an electric atmosphere that even someone who doesn't follow hockey regularly can appreciate.
New sports keep joining the program, and I have mixed feelings about this evolution. Skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing made their debut in Tokyo, while breakdancing (or "breaking" as it's officially called) will appear in Paris 2024. Part of me welcomes these additions—they make the Games relevant to younger audiences and reflect how sports culture evolves. But I also worry about what we might lose when we add too many new sports. There's something to be said for traditions that connect us to past generations of athletes. Still, watching 13-year-old Momiji Nishiya win gold in skateboarding in Tokyo was a reminder that the Olympics continually redefine what constitutes a sport at the highest level.
The Paralympics deserves its own recognition here—with 22 sports and nearly 4,400 athletes in Tokyo, it represents the pinnacle of adaptive sports. I've had the privilege of interviewing Paralympians, and their stories often put the conventional Olympics into perspective. Sports like wheelchair rugby (sometimes called "murderball") demonstrate incredible athleticism and strategy, while sports like goalball (designed specifically for athletes with visual impairments) show how sports can be reinvented for different abilities. If you only watch the Olympics and skip the Paralympics, you're missing half the picture of what human determination can achieve.
Looking ahead to Paris 2024, we'll see some sports come and go—breakdancing makes its debut while baseball and softball are out again (I'll miss them, personally). The Olympic program now includes approximately 40 sports when you count both traditional and new additions, though the exact number fluctuates each Games. What remains constant is that blend of individual brilliance and team effort, of expected champions and surprise contenders. That backup player mentality Alba described—being ready when your moment comes—applies not just to athletes but to sports themselves. Some sports wait decades to join the Olympic program, while others fight to stay relevant. In the end, the Olympics remain this incredible tapestry of human achievement across dozens of disciplines, each with its own story, its own heroes, and its own reason for being part of the greatest sporting event on Earth.