Olympic Games - Basic Facts

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The Olympic Games ( winter & summer) are organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The headquarters is in Lausanne (Switzerland).The mission of the International Olympic Committee is to promote the Olympic movement in the world.

Singapore -one of the Asia's poorest countries in the 1940s- will host the 1st Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2010. It beat a rival bid from the Russian capital city of Moscow. Singapore is one of the smallest countries in the world.

Tuvalu is an Olympic country since 2007.

The IOC has more member states than the United Nations. However,many territories are not members.The following territories are not members of the IOC: Anguilla, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gibraltar, Greenland, Guadeloupe, Macao, Martinique, Montserrat, New Caledonia, Northern Marinas, Turks & Caicos, Northern Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Reunion, Western Sahara, Norfolk and Nieu.

The I Summer Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. Athletes from host-country won 46 Olympic medals.

Jacques Rogge is currently president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He was born in Belgium. This great Olympic leader once said: "The challenge of our Olympic Movement is to make the education of youth through sport as relevant today as it was when Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee on this principle over 100 years ago. All of us who work under the Olympic rings have the social responsability to demonstrate by our example that sport teaches us how to respect ourselves and one another, how to strive for excellence in all that we do and, perhaps above all else, the importance of friendship and peace..."

The German Democratic Republic (or East Germany) was an Olympic country from 1960 to 1988.

The 2014 Winter Olympics will be hosted by Sochi (Russian Federation). The Moscow government has approved an unprecedented US$ 12 billion for the development of the Games.

The IOC has 205 member states and territories:

1.Afghanistan (Asia / Arab country) / the basketball popular Olympic sports: wrestling, soccer, hockey field, taekwondo

2.Albania (Europe)/ the most popular Olympic sports: table tennis, athletics, wrestling, shooting

3.Algeria: (Africa/ Arab country) / the most popular Olympic sports : volleyball, athletics, handball, swimming, soccer, boxing, taekwondo, weightlifting, judo

4.American Samoa (Oceania/ American territory) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, swimming, wrestling, weightlifting

5.Andorra (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, shooting, archery, soccer

6.Angola ( Africa/ ex Portuguese colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: basketball, handball, soccer, athletics, swimming

7.Antigua & Barbuda ( Caribbean / ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, boxing, sailing,

8.Argentina ( South America) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, volleyball, basketball, boxing, athletics, sailing, swimming, field hockey, table tennis, tennis, cycling, equestrian, judo, taekwondo, beach volleyball

9.Armenia (Europe/ former Soviet republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: gymnastics, wrestling, weightlifting, athletics, basketball, judo, modern pentathlon

10.Aruba ( Caribbean/ Dutch territory) / the most popular Olympic sports: sailing, athletics, judo, swimming, basketball, softball

11.Australia (Oceania) / the most popular Olympic sports: swimming, soccer, basketball, athletics, diving, rowing, shooting, water polo, hockey field, equestrian, badminton, softball , triathlon, tennis, kayak, beach volleyball

12.Austria ( Central Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, sailing, kayak, tennis, table tennis, weightlifting, soccer, equestrian, judo, archery, hockey field, swimming

13.Azerbaijan ( Asia/ former Soviet republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: volleyball, wrestling, judo, weightlifting, athletics

14.Bahamas ( Caribbean/ ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, sailing, tennis, softball, swimming, volleyball, basketball

15.Bahrain ( Gulf Persian) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, handball, athletics, volleyball, taekwondo, swimming

16.Bangladesh ( Asia/ formerly East Pakistan) / the most popular Olympic sports: wrestling, athletics, soccer, taekwondo, shooting, tennis

17.Barbados (Caribbean/ ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, swimming, sailing, softball, soccer, volleyball, shooting

18.Belarus (Europe/ former Soviet republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: gymnastics, fencing, soccer, volleyball, athletics, weightlifting, swimming, diving, judo, kayak

19.Belgium ( Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: sailing, soccer, fencing, field hockey, tennis, swimming, shooting, equestrian, athletics

20.Belize (Central America/ former British Honduras) / the most popular Olympic sports: softball (national sport), athletics, shooting, taekwondo

21.Benin (Western Africa / formerly Dahomey) / the most popular Olympic sports: boxing, soccer, judo, wrestling, taekwondo, track & field

22.Bermuda (Caribbean /British territory) / the most popular Olympic sports: sailing, boxing, equestrian, soccer, track & field

23.Bhutan (Asia/ Indian Subcontinent) / the most popular Olympic sports: archery (national sport) , soccer, shooting

24.Bolivia ( South America) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, athletics, cycling, tennis, boxing, equestrian, shooting

25.Bosnia & Herzegovina (Europe/ formerly Yugoslav republic) / the most popular Olympic sports : basketball, soccer , athletics, shooting, table tennis, canoeing

26.Botswana ( Southern Africa/ ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: softball, athletics, boxing, volleyball

27.Brazil ( South America) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer (national sport) , volleyball, basketball, beach volleyball, judo, sailing, equestrian, swimming, tennis, water polo, taekwondo, rowing, athletics, table tennis, gymnastics

28.British Virgin Islands (Caribbean / British territory) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, swimming, sailing, taekwondo

29.Brunei Darussalam (Southeast Asia/ ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer (national sport) , shooting, track and field

30.Bulgaria (East Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: weightlifting (national sport), wrestling, soccer, basketball, volleyball, kayak, water polo, tennis, rowing, fencing, swimming

31.Burkina Faso ( Western Africa /formerly Upper Volta/ ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer (national sport) , boxing, judo, track & field

32.Burundi ( Central Africa/ ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics (national sport) , boxing

33.Cambodia (Southeast Asia / formerly Kampuchea, Republic of Khmer/ ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, volleyball, table tennis, athletics, swimming

34.Cameroon ( Western Africa/ ex French colony)/ the most popular Olympic sports: soccer (national sport) , volleyball, athletics, judo, boxing

35.Canada (North America)/ the most popular Olympic sports: kayak, equestrian, judo, basketball, soccer, diving, baseball, rowing, boxing, athletics, badminton, tennis, synchronized swimming

36.Cape Verde (Western Africa/ ex Portuguese colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer

37.Cayman Islands (Caribbean/ British territory) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, sailing, taekwondo, basketball

38.Central African Republic ( Africa/ ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, athletics, judo, boxing, basketball

39.Chad ( Central Africa/ ex French colony) /the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer (national sport)

40.Chile (South America) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, tennis, athletics, shooting, boxing, swimming, basketball, equestrian, taekwondo, modern pentathlon, field hockey

41.China (the People's Republic of China) / the most popular Olympic sports: table tennis (national sport) , athletics, volleyball, gymnastics, judo, diving, synchronized swimming, softball, weightlifting, badminton, basketball, soccer, fencing

42.Chinese Taipei (Asia/ also known as Taiwan) /the most popular Olympic sports: taekwondo, table tennis, athletics, weightlifting, basketball, volleyball, baseball (national sport)

43.Colombia (South America) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, baseball, weightlifting, athletics, water polo, softball, basketball, swimming, shooting, wrestling, cycling, boxing

44.Comoros (Africa / ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer

45.Congo ( Africa / formerly Zaire / ex French colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports: basketball, soccer(national sport) , boxing, athletics, judo

46.Congo Republic ( Central Africa/ ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: handball (national sport) , athletics, judo, soccer

47.Cook Islands (Oceania) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, swimming, softball

48.Costa Rica (Central America) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, swimming, cycling, tennis, athletics, kayak, baseball, shooting, volleyball, taekwondo

49.Cote d'Ivoire ( Western Africa /ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: handball, soccer (national sport) , athletics, taekwondo

50.Croatia (Europe/ formerly Yugoslav republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, basketball, volleyball, handball, gymnastics, table tennis, tennis, swimming, kayak

51.Cuba (Caribbean) / the most popular Olympic sports: baseball (national sport) , volleyball, athletics, boxing, taekwondo, diving, shooting

52.Cyprus (Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, tennis, shooting, soccer

53.Czech Republic (Europe/ formerly Czechoslovakia) / the most popular Olympic sports: gymnastics, athletics, tennis (national sport) , table tennis, kayak, wrestling, weightlifting, soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball

54.Denmark (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, sailing, athletics, handball, badminton

55.Djibouti ( East Africa/ ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics (national sport) , soccer

56.Dominica (Caribbean/ ex British colony) /the most popular Olympic sports: athletics (national sport)

57.Dominican Republic (Latin America) / the most popular Olympic sports: baseball (national sport), athletics, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, boxing, tennis, judo

58.Ecuador (Latin America) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, athletics, boxing, wrestling, weightlifting, shooting, tennis, swimming, cycling, taekwondo

59.Egypt ( North Africa) / the most popular Olympic sports: weightlifting, soccer, volleyball, field hockey, taekwondo, athletics, diving, boxing, shooting, swimming, handball, water polo

60.El Salvador (Latin America) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer (national sport) , cycling, athletics, shooting, basketball, archery, weightlifting

61.Equatorial Guinea ( Western Africa/ ex Spanish colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer

62.Eritrea ( East Africa / ex Ethiopian territory) / the most popular Olympic sports: football, athletics (national sport) , boxing

63.Estonia (Europe/ former Soviet republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: wrestling, weightlifting, rowing, sailing, athletics, boxing, fencing, cycling, kayak, gymnastics, basketball

64.Ethiopia ( East Africa) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics (national sport) , judo, boxing, soccer

65.Fiji (Oceania / ex British colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports: sailing, athletics, soccer, taekwondo, basketball, softball

66.Finland (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer, kayak, shooting

67.France (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer (national sport), athletics, judo, modern pentathlon, rowing, basketball, volleyball, shooting, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, archery, equestrian, sailing, taekwondo, beach volleyball

68.Gabon ( Westrern Africa/ ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: football, judo, track & field

69.Gambia ( Western Africa/ ex British colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, athletics

70.Georgia (Europe/ former Soviet republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, judo, modern pentathlon, gymnastics, kayak

71.Germany (Europe/ formely East Germany and West Germany) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer (national sport), athletics, fencing, judo, kayak, field hockey, equestrian, modern pentathlon, tennis, handball, volleyball, basketball, shooting, water polo, swimming, shooting

72.Ghana ( Western Africa/ ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: football, athletics, boxing, wrestling

73.Greece (Europe/ birthplace of the Olympic Games) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, synchronized swimming, water polo, weighlifting, wrestling, volleyball, basketball, sailing

74.Grenada (Caribbean/ ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer, boxing

75.Guam (Oceania/ American territory) / the most popular Olympic sports: swimming, softball, athletics

76.Guatemala (Latin America) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, shooting, weightlifting, gymnastics, swimming, equestrian, athletics, rowing, wrestling, baseball, softball

77.Guinea ( Western Africa / ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, judo, wrestling, athletics, boxing

78.Guinea-Bissau ( Western Africa / the most popular Olympic sports: ex Portuguese colony) / athletics, soccer, boxing

79.Guyana (South America/ ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, field hockey, judo cycling, boxing, basketball, table tennis

80.Haiti (Caribbean) / the most popular Olympic sports: shooting, athletics, judo, football (national sport), volleyball, basketball, boxing, tennis, weightlifting

81.Honduras (Latin America) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, swimming, judo, baseball, soccer

82.Hong Kong (Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: sailing, athletics, kayak, cycling, judo, table tennis (national sport), badminton, field hockey, swimming,equestrian, rowing, volleyball, basketball, taekwondo

83.Hungary ( Central Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: boxing, athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, football, sailing, basketball, volleyball, handball, fencing, rowing, shooting, water polo, gymnastics, table tennis, modern pentathlon, equestrian

84.Iceland ( North Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: judo, soccer, badminton, athletics, handball (national sport)

85.India (Asia/ Indian Subcontinent) / the most popular Olympic sports: field hockey, weightlifting, table tennis, tennis, archery, athletics, badminton, wrestling, soccer, boxing, basketball

86.Indonesia (Southeast Asia ) / the most popular Olympic sports: badminton (national sport), weightlifting, wrestling, table tennis, tennis, boxing, volleyball, track & field

87.Iran (Middle East- /formerly Persia) / the most popular Olympic sports: weightlifting, wrestling, water polo, athletics, soccer, volleyball, boxing, judo, shooting

88.Iraq (Middle East- Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, weightlifting, wrestling, volleyball

89.Ireland (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: swimming, shooting, field hockey, athletics, rowing, judo, soccer, badminton, boxing

90.Israel (Middle East- Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: basketball, judo ,sailing, swimming, athletics, wrestling, fencing

91.Italy (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: swimming, water polo, volleyball, basketball, football, athletics, judo, rowing, fencing, tennis, cycling, diving, beach volleyball

92.Jamaica (Caribbean/ ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics (national sport), basketball, badminton, taekwondo, swimming, cycling, table tennis, boxing, weightlifting, badminton, field hockey

93.Japan (Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: judo, volleyball, taekwondo, swimming, diving, gymnastics, basketball, baseball, soccer, table tennis, athletics

94.Jordan (Middle East- Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: taekwondo, table tennis, athletics

95.Kazakhstan (Asia/ former Soviet republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: kayak, volleyball, water polo, diving, wrestling, archery, cycling, weightlifting, athletics, swimming

96.Kenya (East Africa / ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics (national sport), field hockey, boxing, water polo, volleyball, basketball, boxing, shooting

97.Kiribati (Oceania) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, weightlifting

98.Korea, North (Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: volleyball, soccer, basketball, diving, weightlifting, wrestling, table tennis, gymnastics, boxing, shooting, archery, judo, athletics

99.Korea, South (Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: baseball, cycling, swimming, field hockey, handball, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, taekwondo (national sport), table tennis, basketball, tennis, shooting, judo, athletics, boxing, archery, softball, fencing, badminton, soccer

100.Kuwait (Middle East- Asia) / shooting, taekwondo, handball, volleyball, water polo, equestrian, soccer

101.Kyrgyzstan (Asia/ former Soviet republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: boxing, athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, basketball, volleyball, fencing, rowing, shooting, water polo, gymnastics, equestrian

102.Laos (Asia / ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: boxing, athletics

103.Latvia (Europe/ former Soviet republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, sailing, basketball, volleyball,fencing, rowing, shooting, water polo, gymnastics, modern pentathlon, equestrian

104.Lebanon (Middle East- Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: weightlifting, wrestling, athletics, shooting, basketball

105.Lesotho (Southern Africa / ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, boxing

106.Liberia ( Western Africa) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, athletics, boxing

107.Libya ( North Africa) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, volleyball, athletics, weightlifting, wrestling

108.Liechtenstein (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, rowing, fencing, shooting, sailing, equestrian

109.Lithuania (Europe/ former Soviet republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: boxing, athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, sailing, basketball, volleyball, handball, fencing, rowing, shooting, gymnastics, table tennis, modern pentathlon, equestrian

110.Luxembourg (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer, fencing, shooting, rowing, equestrian

111.Macedonia (Europe/ formerly Yugoslav republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: basketball, volleyball, rowing, table tennis, athletics, weightlifting, wrestling

112.Madagascar (Africa/ ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, judo, basketball

113.Malawi (Africa/ ex British colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, athletics, boxing

114.Malaysia (Asia / ex British colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports: swimming, judo taekwondo, badminton, table tennis, athletics, volleyball, basketball, weightlifting, wrestling, soccer

115.Maldives (Indian Subcontinent / ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: swimming, athletics

116.Mali (Africa/ ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer, boxing, wrestling

117.Malta (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer, fencing, swimming

118.Marshall Islands (Oceania) / the most popular Olympic sports: sailing, athletics, weightlifting, wrestling

119.Mauritania (Africa) / the most popular Olympic sports: wrestling, athletics

120.Mauritius (Africa/ ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, swimming, volleyball, sailing, taekwondo

121.Mexico (Latin America) / the most popular Olympic sports: diving (national sport), athletics, rowing, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, equestrian, cycling, boxing, diving, modern pentathlon, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, water polo, softball, triathlon, beach volleyball

122.Micronesia (Oceania) / the most popular Olympic sports: swimming, weightlifting, wrestling, athletics

123.Moldova (Europe/ former Soviet republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: shooting, weightlifting, judo, wrestling, kayak, athletics, rowing

124.Monaco (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, swimming, shooting

125.Mongolia ( Central Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: weightlifting, judo, wrestling, volleyball, athletics, boxing, shooting

126.Montenegro (Europe/ formerly Yugoslav republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: basketball, shooting, volleyball, water polo, athletics, boxing

127.Morocco ( North Africa) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer, boxing, taekwondo, swimming, basketball, weightlifting, wrestling, tennis , judo

128.Mozambique (Africa / ex Portuguese colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, swimming, boxing

129.Myanmar (Southeast Asia / formerly Burma / ex British colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports: weightlifting, wrestling, athletics, soccer

130.Namibia ( Southern Africa / ex South African territory) / the most popular Olympic sports: shooting, athletics, boxing, swimming

131.Nauru (Oceania) / the most popular Olympic sports: , weightlifting, athletics, softball

132.Nepal (Indian Subcontinent) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, weightlifting, wrestling, table tennis

133.Netherlands (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, rowing, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, equestrian, cycling, boxing, diving, modern pentathlon, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, water polo, softball, triathlon, beach volleyball

134.Neterherlands Antilles (Caribbean) / the most popular Olympic sports: sailing, athletics, softball, baseball

135.New Zealand (Oceania/ ex British colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, rowing, basketballl, equestrian, cycling, boxing, diving, modern pentathlon, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, water polo, softball, triathlon, beach volleyball

136.Nicaragua (Latin America) / the most popular Olympic sports: baseball (national sport, athletics, table tennis

137.Niger (Africa/ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: weightlifting, athletics, boxing

138.Nigeria ( Western Africa / ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, boxing, swimming, basketball, soccer, handball

139.Norway (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, judo, modern pentathlon, rowing, shooting, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, archery, equestrian, sailing, beach volleyball

140.Oman (Middle East- Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: shooting, athletics, soccer

141.Pakistan (Indian Subcontinent / ex British colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports: field hockey, wrestling, weightlifting, athletics

142.Palau (Oceania) / the most popular Olympic sports: wrestling, weightlifting, swimming, athletics, softball

143.Palestine (Middle East- Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, swimming, shooting, boxing, table tennis

144.Panama (Latin America) / the most popular Olympic sports: baseball (national sport), athletics, basketball, boxing, weightlifting, wrestling, softball

145.Papua New Guinea (Oceania) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, swimming, , boxing, weightlifting, wrestling, softball

146.Paraguay (Latin America) / the most popular Olympic sports: tennis, soccer, shooting, athletics, basketball

147.Peru (Latin America) / the most popular Olympic sports: shooting, volleyball, basketball, athletics, boxing, judo, soccer, taekwondo

148.Philippines (Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: , boxing, weightlifting, wrestling, softball, athletics, basketball, taekwondo, shooting

149.Poland (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: archery, swimming, boxing, athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, football, sailing, basketball, volleyball, fencing, rowing, shooting, modern pentathlon, equestrian, triathlon

150.Portugal (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: swimming, boxing, athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, football, sailing, basketball, volleyball, handball, fencing, rowing, shooting

151.Puerto Rico (Latin America/Caribbean) / the most popular Olympic sports: baseball, taekwondo, : tennis, archery, swimming, boxing, athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, sailing, basketball, volleyball, fencing, shooting, water polo, gymnastics, table tennis, modern pentathlon, equestrian, triathlon

152.Qatar (Middle East- Asia/ Arab country) / the most popular Olympic sports: tennis, swimming, boxing, athletics, weightlifting, wrestling, football, sailing, basketball, volleyball, handball, fencing, rowing, shooting, water polo, table tennis, equestrian, triathlon

153.Romania (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: tennis, swimming, boxing, athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, football, sailing, volleyball, handball, fencing, rowing, shooting, water polo, gymnastics, table tennis, modern pentathlon

154.Russia (Europe/ former Soviet republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: tennis,archery, swimming, boxing, athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, football, sailing, basketball, volleyball, handball, fencing, rowing, shooting, water polo, gymnastics, table tennis, modern pentathlon, equestrian, triathlon, diving

155.Rwanda ( Central Africa/ ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer

156.St.Kitts & Nevis (Caribbean/ ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, sailing

157.St.Lucia (Caribbean/ ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, sailing, boxing

158.St.Vincent & the Grenadines (Caribbean/ ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer

159.Samoa (oceania / formerly Western Samoa) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer

160.San Marino (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: shooting, gymnastics, athletics

161.Sao Tome & Principe ( Western Africa / ex Portuguese colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer

162.Saudi Arabia (Middle East- Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: equestrian, shooting, volleyball, athletics, soccer

163.Senegal (Western Africa/ ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: judo, athletics, soccer, basketball, boxing, wrestling, weightlifting

164.Serbia (Europe/ formerly Yugoslav republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: boxing, athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, football, sailing, basketball, volleyball, handball, fencing, rowing, shooting, water polo, gymnastics, table tennis

165.Seychelles ( East Africa) / the most popular Olympic sports: swimming, boxing, athletics, sailing

166.Sierra Leone (Western Africa / ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, soccer

167.Singapore (Southeast Asia / ex British colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports: badminton (national sport), athletics, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, equestrian, cycling, boxing, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, water polo, softball

168.Slovakia (Europe/ formerly Czechoslovakia) / the most popular Olympic sports: basketball, swimming, boxing, athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, football, sailing, volleyball, handball, fencing, rowing, shooting, water polo, gymnastics

169.Slovenia (Europe/ formerly Yugoslav republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: boxing, athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, football, sailing, basketball, volleyball, handball, fencing, rowing, shooting, water polo, gymnastics, table tennis

170.Solomon Islands (Oceania / ex British colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, boxing, weightlifting, wrestling

171.Somalia (Africa) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, basketball, boxing

172.South Africa (Africa) / the most popular Olympic sports: softball, tennis, archery, swimming, boxing, athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, football, sailing, fencing, rowing, shooting, water polo, gymnastics, table tennis, modern pentathlon, equestrian, triathlon

173.Spain (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: taekwondo, tennis, swimming, boxing, athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, football, sailing, basketball, volleyball, handball, fencing, rowing, shooting, water polo, gymnastics

174.Sri Lanka (Indian Subcontinent / ex British colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, judo, weightlifting, shooting, badminton, wrestling, table tennis, sailing, boxing

175.Sudan (Africa) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, athletics, boxing

176.Suriname ( South America / ex Dutch colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports: badminton, swimming, athletics, football

177.Swaziland ( Southern Africa / ex British colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, boxing

178.Sweden (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: tennis, swimming, boxing, athletics, judo,wrestling, kayak, football, volleyball, handball, fencing, rowing, shooting, water polo, gymnastics, table tennis, modern pentathlon

179.Switzerland (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports: archery, swimming, athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, football, sailing, handball, fencing, rowing, shooting, gymnastics, table tennis, modern pentathlon, equestrian, tennis

180.Syria (Middle East- Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, boxing, weightlifting, taekwondo wrestling, swimming

181.Tajikistan ( Central Asia/ former Soviet republic) / the most popular Olympic sports: weightlifting, taekwondo, athletics, boxing, gymnastics, shooting, wrestling

182.Tanzania (East Africa / ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, field hockey, boxing

183.Thailand (Southeast Asia / formerly Siam) / the most popular Olympic sports: fencing, swimming, judo taekwondo, badminton, table tennis, athletics, volleyball, boxing, weightlifting, wrestling, soccer

184.Timor-Leste (Asia / ex Indonesian territory) / the most popular Olympic sports: boxing,athletics, weightlifting, taekwondo, wrestling

185.Togo (Western Africa / ex French colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports: soccer, athletics, cycling, judo, basketball, boxing

186.Tonga (Oceania / ex British colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports:boxing, weightlifting, wrestling, athletics

187.Trinidad & Tobago (Caribbean/ ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports:athletics (national sport), swimming, weightlifting, cycling, volleyball, badminton, field hockey, soccer, badminton, table tennis, sailing

188.Tunisia (Africa / Arab country) / the most popular Olympic sports:athletics, soccer, handball, volleyball, basketball, swimming, weightlifting, wrestling

189.Turkey (Asia) / the most popular Olympic sports:soccer, volleyball ,basketball, weightlifting, wrestling, boxing, taekwondo, athletics, swimming, judo, shooting, archery

190.Turkmenistan (Central Asia/ former Soviet republic) / the most popular Olympic sports:athletics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, shooting, taekwondo, soccer, gymnastics, archery

191.Tuvalu (Oceania /formerly Ellice Islands/ ex British colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports:athletics, swimming, boxing, weightlifting, wrestling

192.Uganda ( Central Africa / ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports:athletics (national sport), boxing, soccer, field hockey ,taekwondo, table tennis

193.Ukraine (Europe/ former Soviet republic) /the most popular Olympic sports:gymnastics,weightlifting, wrestling, kayak , rowing, judo, volleyball, water polo, equestrian, shooting, sailing

194.United Arab Emirates (Persian Gulf) / the most popular Olympic sports:shooting, taekwondo, handball, soccer

195.United Kingdom (Europe) / the most popular Olympic sports:athletics, boxing, rowing, football, softball, triathlon, kayak, archery, badminton, field hockey, swimming, equestrian, sailing, tennis

196.United States (North America) / the most popular Olympic sports:baseball (national sport), athletics, rowing, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, equestrian, cycling, boxing, diving, modern pentathlon, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, water polo, softball, triathlon, beach volleyball

197.United States Virgin Islands (Caribbean) / the most popular Olympic sports: athletics, taekwondo, sailing (national sport), shooting, swimming, softball

198.Uruguay (South America) / the most popular Olympic sports:athletics, rowing, basketball, cycling, soccer, tennis, boxing, swimming, volleyball, sailing, field hockey

199.Uzbekistan (Asia/ former Soviet republic) / the most popular Olympic sports:weightlifting, wrestling, kayak, volleyball, handball, athletics, judo, swimming

200.Vanuatu (Oceania / ex British-French colony / formerly New Hebrides ) / the most popular Olympic sports:boxing, athletics

201.Venezuela (South America) / the most popular Olympic sports:baseball, swimming, athletics, boxing, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, soccer, synchronized swimming, diving, tennis, taekwondo, softball, fencing

202.Vietnam (Asia / ex French colony) / the most popular Olympic sports:taekwondo, weightlifting, wrestling, athletics, swimming, table tennis, cycling

203.Yemen (Asia/ Arab country/ ) / the most popular Olympic sports:soccer, athletics, boxing, wrestling

204.Zambia (Africa / ex British colony) / the most popular Olympic sports:soccer, boxing, athletics

205.Zimbabwe (Africa/ formerly Rhodesia/ ex British colony ) / the most popular Olympic sports:swimming (national sport), diving, triathlon, soccer, field hockey, athletics, tennis, sailing, boxing

Alejandro Guevara Onofre: He is a freelance writer. Alejandro is of Italian, African and Peruvian ancestry. He has published more than seventy-five research paper in English, and more than twenty in Spanish, concerning the world issues, olympic sports, countries, and tourism. His next essay is called "The Dictator and Alicia Alonso". He is an expert on foreign affairs. Alejandro is the first author who has published a world-book encyclopedia in Latin America.

He admires Frida Kahlo (Mexican painter), Jos Gamarra (former president of the Bolivian Olympic Committee, 1970- 1982), Hillary Clinton (ex-First Lady of the USA), and Jimmy Carter (former President of the USA). Alejandro said: "The person who I admire the most is Jos Gamarra. He devoted his professional and personal life to sport. Jos played an important role in the promotion of Olympism in Bolivia -it is one of the Third World`s poorest countries- and Latin America. His biography is interesting". The sportspeople he most admire is Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman. "This African-American sportswoman is my idol..."

Basketball Tips and Training: 14 Ways to Become a Big-Time Player

I get asked basketball following question all the time: how basketball I become a dominant player?

I've put together a list of 14 things you need to do to become a big-time basketball player. Read this list, and start doing these things, and you'll be a better player. Guaranteed. And if you already do most of the things on the list...you're ahead of the game. So what are the things you need to do to dominate a basketball game? Read on...

• 1.) Be aggressiveYou can't be a good basketball player if you are tentative and uncertain of what you will do on the next play. Great players play with decisiveness. Great players are aggressive.
• 2.) Make a 2nd and 3rd effort on every playIt's one thing to make a good effort. But great players keep trying until they succeed. If you aren't immediately successful on a play, keep working and trying until you make it happen.
• 3.) Think positiveBelieve you'll be successful, and it's more likely to come true. If you take the court doubting yourself, doubting your abilities, and scared that you'll fail, well guess what: you probably will. Think positively, act like you'll get the job done, and then go out and make it happen.
• 4.) Be confident in yourselfNot only do you have to think positive (see #3 above), but you have to believe in yourself. Great players know they are good. They know they'll win most battles. They play with confidence and it shows in their performance level.
• 5.) Take good shotsIt may sound silly, but taking good shots is a big part of shooting a high percentage, and getting lots of playing time. If your range is 16-feet, don't take 23-foot off-balance jumpers. Sometimes players shoot the ball because they don't know when they'll get another chance to score. Make sure you're the type of player that takes good, high-percentage shots.
• 6.) Be a good teammateDon't ever forget that basketball is a team game. Your success (or failure) is based on how you play, and how your team plays. Help make the players around you better, and you'll be surprised at how good that will make you.
• 7.) Get up and down the floor quicklyWhether it's running up the court on a fast break, or sprinting back on defense, good players run the floor well. Getting up and down the floor quickly puts pressue on your opponent and puts you in a position to make good things happen.
• 8.) Listen to your coachYour coach determines whether you get in the game or not, and how much playing time you get. Work hard in practice, and listen to your coach during games (about which offense to run and which defense to play). If a coach doesn't think you're listening, your playing time will suffer.
• 9.) Play great defenseCoaches love players that play good, tough defense. Even if you're having a tough night on the offensive end, you can still contribute to the success of the team by playing great defense. There are lots of big-time college and NBA players who aren't all that great offensively, but who are big-time defensive players. Defense can get you lots of playing time.
• 10.) Stay out of foul troublePlaying good, smart basketball means staying out of foul trouble. You'll commit plenty of fouls by playing good, aggressive basketball, so avoid fouls for reaching with your hands on defense, or for over-the-back calls while going for rebounds. No matter how good a player you might be, you'll spend plenty of time on the bench if you get yourself into foul trouble.
• 11.) Practice hardPractice is how you prepare for games. Whether it's shooting around on your own, or scrimmaging at your team practice, you've got to work hard. If you get lazy, and decide to take it easy during practice, your game will suffer. Push yourself, work hard, and you'll improve as a player.
• 12.) Go up strong insideAnytime you play in the paint, you've got to be tough and play strong. There are lots of bodies, elbows, arms, and hands in the lane. If you make a post move, or rebound the ball on the offensive end of the floor, go back up strong. It's no place to be tentative, weak, or afraid.
• 13.) Become a great free throw shooterEveryone should work to become a great free throw shooter. You can improve your scoring average, get more playing time, and help your team win games, simply by becoming a clutch free throw shooter. A big part of free throw shooting is mental. So work on having a good free throw shooting routine, and being confident that you'll knock the shots down.
• 14.) Be the player you'd hate to play againstAs a player, I hated playing defense against guys that were aggressive, smart, constantly moving without the ball, who took high percentage shots, went up strong inside, and crashed the offensive boards. And I hated playing offense against aggressive, strong, smart, fundamentally sound players who played great D and never made anything easy for me. Be that type of player. Be the player you'd hate to play against.Do these 14 things, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a great player.

Patrick Chylinski is a former college and professional basketball player who now does private coaching in the Los Angeles area. His website, http://www.basketballsuccess.com, is packed with professional-level playing tips, drills, and training advice.

He also offers a free email newsletter. Go to http://www.basketballsuccess.com to sign-up.

Teamwork and the Fist

"Teamwork: the fuel that produces uncommon results in common people." Anonymous

"The key to teamwork is to learn a role, accept that role, and strive to become excellent playing it." Pat Riley

Several years ago, when I was coaching the Junior College basketball team at Wentworth Military Academy , an opposing coach approached me after the game. He said, "Your kids are over achievers. How do you get them to play so hard? I replied that it wasn't that my players were overachievers (although truth be known, they were) but that his were underachievers. As far as getting them to play so hard--I demand it. The players know it is expected of them by me and their teammates. I went on to explain my theory of teamwork, and the fist.

Teams have two choices--they can either be like the hand or to be like the fist. The hand is made of five fingers working independently of each other. Spread the five fingers of your hand and you have peaks and valleys. Some nights, when everything is going right, you are on top of one of those peaks. However, it is easy to slide back down to the depths of the valley. And, if I slap you with the open hand, it is going to sting, it is going to embarrass you, and it is going to hurt your pride. But, it is not going to deliver a knockout punch.

The fist on the other hand, is a tight-knit group--pulling together in a common cause. Sure there are still the five individual fingers of the hand, but now they are working with the other fingers. If I close the fist and hit you I can deliver a knockout punch. When you come to you wonder what in the world hit you.

Mike Krzyzewski, long time Head Coach at Duke University also talks about the Fist. In his book, Leading with the Heart, Coach K says, "I look at the members of our team like the five fingers of a hand. Some hands have small fingers that easily come together as a fist. Other hands have very large fingers but, if they never come together as a team, they probably won't be as powerful as the smaller hand does. In other words, if five talented individuals don't perform as a team, they may not be as strong as five less-talented individuals who do."

Tom Hughes is a coach, educator, author, and motivational speaker. He has an MEd from Pittsburg State University. He has taught and coached on the high school, college, and professional levels. Since 2001 Tom has written Motivational Moments, a free motivational newsletter. He authored "Power Thoughts for Coaching Basketball, a multi-purpose source book for basketball coaches.

Tom has basketball to business and civic groups, college and high school students, faculty and staff workshops, and athletic teams. The most popular program topics are - Goal Setting for Success; Team Building - On the Court or in the Office; Developing and Maintaining a Positive Attitude; Leadership Training; Improving Performance Through Achievement Motivation.

His website is: http://www.motivationnmore.com

Figuring Out Fun Ways to Raise Money

It's possible to find fun ways to raise money regardless of the cause you're raising it for. All it takes is a little creativity and a group of enthusiastic people.

Have a Brainstorming Session

Before you can start your fun fundraiser, you need to come up with some ideas that are fun and will raise money for your organization. Set aside about 30 minutes with your group members and ask them to throw out any fundraising idea that comes to them. If you're having a hard time brainstorming, go back to fundamentals.

What's your groups' mission? Why do you need to raise money? Why should people care about your group? Let's say you're a basketball team that wants to raise money to go to a tournament out West. Why should people care about you? Well, because you're a hardworking team and you have a good chance at winning the tournament.

Now, the question is, how do you convey that message to other people? Well, you could set up a neighborhood three-on-three basketball tournament. Ask surrounding teams to play. Put a flier up in your school or at your local youth clubs. Present it as a challenge as in "who can beat this amazing team?" Then divide your team into basketball and charge each challenging team a $40-$50 entry fee.

Ask local businesses to support the tournament by offering to donate prizes for first, second and third places. The most fun way to raise money is by getting other people involved in what you do. Brainstorming with everyone involved can help you develop an idea that represents you and your organization.

Get Active

People don't mind buying candy, bracelets, raffle tickets, discount cards and other fundraising tools to help support a cause, basketball they really enjoy being engaged in events. So, when you're thinking of fun ways to raise money, don't forget to involve the donors.

Walk-a-thons and bike-a-thons are a great way to get the entire neighborhood involved in your cause. Have each participant make a pledge for the number of miles he or she can walk or run. They can ask family members or friends to "sponsor" their run. For example, as a sponsor you might offer to pay the person $10 for every mile they complete. When the race is over, they collect their prize.

Volleyball tournaments are also really fun fundraisers. Ask some local celebrities to join and use their namesake to publicize the event. People love to compete against known figures in the community. For this event, you can charge the teams a fee as well as the audience. This fun way to raise money can draw a big crowd that will also buy souvenirs and food.

Visit http://www.redhotfundraising.com/ to find fun ways to raise money for your school or church fundraisers.