Olympic Games of the 1920s Trivia Quiz

Answer: First official use of the Olympic Motto

The Olympic Motto is "Citius, Altius, Fortius" which translates as "Faster, Higher, Stronger". Although the Motto was proposed by Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the Modern Olympics, in 1894, it was first introduced at an Olympic Games in 1924.

The Olympic Oath was symbolically taken by Belgian fencer/water polo player Victor Boin. On behalf of all the athletes he recited: "We swear. We will take part in the Olympic Games in a spirit of chivalry, for the honour of our country and for the glory of sport." Since 1920, the text of the Olympic Oath has been modified more than once. Pierre de Coubertin also designed the Olympic Flag in 1912. The five interlocking rings on the flag represent the five regions of the world (Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe,and Oceania). The five colors of the rings (blue, black, red, yellow, green) plus the white background of the flag represented the flags of the various nations of the world. Doves were also released for the first time at the Opening Ceremonies, this had a great deal of significance for Belgium, which had been invaded and occupied for much of World War One.

Answer: Shooting

Oscar Swahn (1847-1927) also competed in the 1908 and 1912 Olympic Games. Between the three Olympics he won three gold medals, one silver medal, and two bronze medals. He won the silver medal in the 1920 Olympics for the double shot running deer event in the team competition.

His son Alfred Swahn was also a member of the Swedish Olympic shooting team for the 1908, 1912, 1920, and 1924 Olympics.

Answer: Ice Hockey

In the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, figure skating had been a medal event and in the 1920 Antwerp Summer Olympics, both figure skating and ice hockey had been contested. The Winter Olympics were created out of a desire to allow a full slate of winter sports that would have been hard to cover at an event held in the summer.

The event occurred between January 25 and February 05, 1924 as an "international week of winter sport". By the time of the second Winter Olympics, the 1924 event would retroactively be considered the first Winter Olympics. Canada, which had pretty handily won the gold in ice hockey in 1920, did so again in 1924, sweeping its six games by scoring 132 goals for, with 3 goals against.

The ice hockey matches took place at Chamonix Olympic Stadium, which had opened the year before with a seating capacity of 45,000.

Answer: Sonja Henie

Sonia Henje (1912-1969) of Norway made up for her finish in 1924 by winning the gold in the ladies' singles figure skating event in the 1928, 1932, and 1936 Winter Olympics. She would find a second career in motion pictures--mostly musical comedies during the 1930s and 1940s that would often feature figure skating sequences.

She also performed in figure skating exhibitions through the 1950s.

Answer: Paris, France

The 1924 Paris Olympics were the last ones organized while Pierre de Coubertin was President of the International Olympic Committee. The Opening Ceremonies were held at the Stade Olympique de Colombes (now the Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir), which had a capacity of 45,000 spectators. Paris won the bid for the 1924 Olympics over several other cities, including Amsterdam, Los Angeles, and Rome.

A highlight of the Olympics were the swimming gold medals of Johnny Weissmuller, who would later find fame in motion pictures as 'Tarzan'.

Answer: 'Chariots of Fire' (1981)

'Chariots of Fire' won the 1982 Academy Award for Best Picture. The film, which is a loose adaptation of the story of Abrahams and Liddell, may be best known for the theme song composed by Vangelis. Eric Liddell (1902-1945) would later serve as a missionary in China and died in a Japanese Prisoner of War camp during World War II. Harold Abrahams (1899-1978), who soon left competing in professional sport because of a leg injury, later worked as a lawyer and journalist.

In addition to Abrahams and Liddell, Douglas Lowe of Great Britain would win the 800 meters event.

Answer: 1

Switzerland's total is the lowest for any host nation in any Olympics during the 20th century. Its only participation in any medal ceremony was due to winning a bronze medal in the ice hockey competition. The members of the Swiss team were Giannin Andreossi, Mezzi Andreossi, Robert Breiter, Louis Dufour, Charles Fasel, Albert Geromini, Fritz Kraatz, Arnold Martignoni, Heini Meng, Anton Morosani, Luzius Rüedi, and Bibi Torriani.

The team participated in five games, winning three. Although the team was outscored 17-9, 13 of those goals would come in a 13-0 loss to the eventual gold-winning Canadian team.

In the 1928 Winter Olympics, there were a total of 14 events with 41 total medals.

Answer: United States

John Farrell (1906-1994) of the United States won a bronze medal in the 500 meters speed skating event. This event had no silver medal winner because there was a two-way tie for first (43.4 seconds) between Bernt Evensen of Norway and Clas Thunberg of Finland.

There was a three-way tie (43.6 seconds) for third between Farrell, Jaakko Friman of Finland, and Roald Larsen of Norway. With two gold medalists, no silver medalists, and three bronze medalists, that must have been an interesting looking ceremony.

There were also speed skating events for 1,000 meters and 5,000 meters. The 10,000 meters event was cancelled when partly completed because of thawing ice.

Answer: Basketball

Basketball first appeared in the 1936 Summer Olympics as an official sport, albeit played outdoors. Kaatsen or Frisian handball is played on a grass surface by two teams of three players each. Players attempt to serve the ball into their opponents' receiving zone while their opponents attempt to stop this. Korfball is somewhat like netball or basketball and is played on an outdoor field with teams of eight players. Players cannot dribble or run with the ball, which they are attempting to put through a bottomless basket. Lacrosse had previously been played as an official medal sport at the 1904 and 1908 Summer Olympics.

Answer: long jump

There were two other events: the 800 meters race and the 4X100 meters relay. A long jump event for women would not be added until the 1948 Summer Olympics. The winners for the women's athletics events were as follows: Betty Robinson of the United States for the 100 meters event, Linda Radke of Germany for the 800 meters event, the Canadian team for the 4X100 meters relay, Ethel Catherwood of Canada for the high jump, and Halina Konopacka of Poland for the discus throw.