International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the governing body for the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), is responsible for organizing the games ever since the revival of the Olympic Games in Athens with the Summer Olympics, 1896. France hosted the first Winter Olympics in 1924. Games were also held the following year, from 1992 until the IOC began to alternate the Summer Games and Winter Games each four years but they would be two years apart.
Beijing, China hosted the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. It featured 31 summer sports. Vancouver, Canada will host the 2010 Winter Games. There are variations in the number of and types of Olympic Sport List games depending on which year they were added or removed. Sometimes games may be added or removed. Demonstrations sports such as dog-sled racing or gliding may be allowed by the IOC.
In short, the IOC has the responsibility to promote and support fair play and ethics in sports and nurture and protect athletes, sporting games, and participants through education and drug testing. It also helps to uphold the highest principles for all international sports organizations. The IOC also acts as the guardian of peaceful games and for the protection of the Games from corruption and political disruption. They are responsible for the current Olympic Sport List. In the case of any dispute, they are the ultimate decision-makers. They select host cities and ensure that the Olympic Games continue peacefully.
Summer games 2008 included:
Archery
Athletics
Badminton
Baseball (only one event)
Basketball
Boxing
Canoeing/Kayak
Bicycling (BMX/Mountain, Road, Track, etc.)
Divers
Equestrian
Fencing
Field hockey
Soccer (football)
Gymnastics
Handball
Judo
Modern Pentathlon
Rowing
Sailing
Photography
Softball (1 event only)
Swimming
Synchronized swim
Table Tennis
Taekwondo
Tennis
Triathlon
Volleyball (Indoor & Beach)
Water Polo
Weightlifting
Wrestling
IOC recognizes additional summer sports
Air sports
Bandy
Billiards
Boules
Bowling
Bridge
Chess
Cricket
Dance sport
Golf
Karate
Korfball
Save Your Life
Motorbike Racing
Mountaineering & Climbing
Netball
Orienteering
Pelota basque
Polo
Boating on power
Racquetball
Roller Sports
Rugby
Squash
Sport climbing
Surfing
Sumo
Tugs of War
Underwater Sports
Water Skiing
Wushu
They have been discontinued as summer sports
Baseball
Cricket
Croquet
Figure skating
Golf
Ice Hockey
Jeu de paume
Crosse
Pelota basque
Polo
Boating on power
Rackets
Roque
Rugby union
Softeners
Tugs of War
Water Skiing
The 2010 Winter Olympic Games will feature the following sports:
Biathlon and Paralympic Biathlon
Bobsleigh (and Skeleton).
Curling and Wheelchair Curling
Ice Hockey and Ice Sledge Hockey
Luge
Skating: Figure, Speed, Speed on Short Track Speed
Skiing (Alpine, Cross Country, Freestyle, Nordic, Ski Jumping, Snowboarding)
The Olympic Sport List changes as trends change. To be considered for inclusion, sports must fulfill specific criteria. For men and for women to be eligible, they must play in at least 75 countries and 50 on the four continents. Both as a peacemaker and an economic resource, the Olympic Games have great potential. Similar to the original Olympics, the Olympic Games allow warring nations to suspend their civil conflicts in order for them all participate in peaceful athletic competition.