Since the era of the modern Olympic Games began in 1896, many cities have sought to host this prestigious set of athletic events that test the physical and mental abilities of those competing in individual and team competition. While the next few sites have already been selected (Torino in 2006, Beijing in 2008, and Vancouver in 2010), there has been great speculation as of late regarding which...

UNEP Reaffirms support to “Green” Olympics in Beijing http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=498&ArticleID=5491&l=en British Olympic official warns of Chinese "superstate" ahead of Beijing Games http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/15/sports/AS-SPT-OLY-Chinas-Might.php Olympics Threaten City Projects...

This Wednesday, the city of London received the news from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that it had made a successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Given that these events are viewed by billions of people around the world, the Games are often seen as a way to draw investment into their host cities and as a way to showcase the accomplishments of their host nation. In the decisive...

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum presents this Web version of an exhibition depicting the 1936 Olympics as a two-week anomaly during which Germany attempted to conceal the racist and militaristic character of the newly powerful Nazi regime and appear a tolerant host for the international games. In spite of this, some individual athletes and countries elected to boycott the 1936...

During August 1936, Adolf Hitler's Nazi government played host to the Summer Olympics and many international observers and commentators wondered whether the United States might elect to boycott the Games entirely. They did not, and the triumphs of runner extraordinaire Jesse Owens were a highlight of those rather dark times in Germany. This engaging online exhibit on the Summer Games of 1936 was...