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A woman rides her bicycle as she passes over a newly-painted bicyle lane ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic games near Barra da Tijuca beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 27, 2016. REUTERS/
A woman rides her bicycle as she passes over a newly-painted bicyle lane ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic games near Barra da Tijuca beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 27, 2016. (Reuters)

Rio Olympics Guide: Every sport played at the 2016 Games

Find out every sport being played at the Olympics, the reigning champion of that sport, and what country has the most gold medals

Tarek Ali Ahmad
Published: Updated:
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Archery

First introduced: 1900 Paris Olympics – dropped after 1924 and re-instated at 1972 Munich Olympics

Reigning champion: South Korea

Most Gold medals: South Korea – 19 gold medals (since 1972)

South Korea's Im Dong Hyun takes aim during the men's archery team quaterfinals at the Lords Cricket Ground during the London 2012 Olympics Games July 28, 2012. (Reuters)
South Korea's Im Dong Hyun takes aim during the men's archery team quaterfinals at the Lords Cricket Ground during the London 2012 Olympics Games July 28, 2012. (Reuters)

Badminton

First introduced: 1992 Barcelona Olympics

Reigning champion: China

Most Gold medals: China – 16 gold medals

China's Wang Xin returns a shot to India's Saina Nehwal during their women's singles badminton bronze medal match at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Wembley Arena August 4, 2012. (Reuters)
China's Wang Xin returns a shot to India's Saina Nehwal during their women's singles badminton bronze medal match at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Wembley Arena August 4, 2012. (Reuters)

Basketball

First introduced: 1936 Berlin Olympics

Reigning champion: USA (Men’s), USA (Women’s)

Most Gold medals: USA (Men’s) – 14 gold medals, USA (Women’s) – 7 gold medals

U.S. Olympic basketball player Kevin Durant (R) challenges Argentina's Luis A. Scola during an exhibition game ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona July 22, 2012. REUTERS
U.S. Olympic basketball player Kevin Durant (R) challenges Argentina's Luis A. Scola during an exhibition game ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona July 22, 2012. REUTERS

Boxing

First introduced: 1904 St. Louis Olympics

Reigning champion: Great Britain

Most Gold medals: USA – 50 gold medals

Russia's Egor Mekhontcev (L) fights Kazakhstan's Adilbek Niyazymbetov during their Men's Light Heavy (81kg) gold medal boxing match at the London Olympics August 12, 2012. (Reuters)
Russia's Egor Mekhontcev (L) fights Kazakhstan's Adilbek Niyazymbetov during their Men's Light Heavy (81kg) gold medal boxing match at the London Olympics August 12, 2012. (Reuters)

Canoe / Kayak

First introduced: 1936 Montreal Olympics

Reigning champion: Germany

Most Gold medals: The former Soviet Union – 29 gold medals

Russia's Yury Postrigay and Alexander Dyachenko row in the men's kayak double (K2) 200m event at Eton Dorney during the London 2012 Olympic Games August 11, 2012. (Reuters)
Russia's Yury Postrigay and Alexander Dyachenko row in the men's kayak double (K2) 200m event at Eton Dorney during the London 2012 Olympic Games August 11, 2012. (Reuters)

Cycling (Track, Road, Mountain, BMX)

First introduced: 1896 Athens Olympics

Reigning champion: Great Britain

Most Gold medals: France – 41 gold medals

Czech Republic's Jaroslav Kulhavy (L) glances back at Switzerland's Nino Schurter as they approach the finish line during the men's cross-country mountain bike event at Hadleigh Farm at the London 2012 Olympic Games August 12, 2012. Kulhavy won the gold medal in the race, with Schurter taking the silver. (Reuters)
Czech Republic's Jaroslav Kulhavy (L) glances back at Switzerland's Nino Schurter as they approach the finish line during the men's cross-country mountain bike event at Hadleigh Farm at the London 2012 Olympic Games August 12, 2012. Kulhavy won the gold medal in the race, with Schurter taking the silver. (Reuters)

Diving

First introduced: 1904 St. Louis Olympics

Reigning champion: China

Most Gold medals: USA – 49 gold medals

Russia's Yulia Koltunova performs a dive during the women's 10m platform semi-final at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre August 9, 2012. REUTERS/Toby Melville (BRITAIN - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT DIVING)
Russia's Yulia Koltunova performs a dive during the women's 10m platform semi-final at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre August 9, 2012. REUTERS/Toby Melville (BRITAIN - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT DIVING)

Equestrian (Dressage, Jumping and Eventing)

First introduced: 1900 Paris Olympics

Reigning champion: Great Britain

Most Gold medals: Germany – 23 gold medals

Japan's Shinichi Tomii riding Loughnatousa Romeo competes in the riding event of the men's modern pentathlon during the London 2012 Olympics at Greenwich Park August 11, 2012. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS SPORT EQUESTRIANISM PORT MODERN PENTATHLON)
Japan's Shinichi Tomii riding Loughnatousa Romeo competes in the riding event of the men's modern pentathlon during the London 2012 Olympics at Greenwich Park August 11, 2012. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS SPORT EQUESTRIANISM PORT MODERN PENTATHLON)

Fencing

First introduced: 1896 Athens Olympics

Reigning champion: Italy

Most Gold medals: Italy – 48 gold medals

South Korea's Hwang Woojin (L) competes against Dennis Bowsher of the U.S. during the fencing event of the men's modern pentathlon during the London 2012 Olympics at the Copper Box August 11, 2012. REUTERS/Toby Melville (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS PORT MODERN PENTATHLON SPORT FENCING)
South Korea's Hwang Woojin (L) competes against Dennis Bowsher of the U.S. during the fencing event of the men's modern pentathlon during the London 2012 Olympics at the Copper Box August 11, 2012. REUTERS/Toby Melville (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS PORT MODERN PENTATHLON SPORT FENCING)

Field hockey

First introduced: 1908 London Olympics

Reigning champion: Germany (Men’s), Netherlands (Women’s)

Most Gold medals: India – 8 gold medals

Germany's Matthias Witthaus (L) challenges Netherlands' Robbert Kemperman during their men's gold medal hockey match at the Riverbank Arena at the London 2012 Olympic Games August 11, 2012. REUTERS
Germany's Matthias Witthaus (L) challenges Netherlands' Robbert Kemperman during their men's gold medal hockey match at the Riverbank Arena at the London 2012 Olympic Games August 11, 2012. REUTERS

Golf

First introduced: 1900 Paris Olympics – dropped after 1904 and reinstated at 2016 Rio Olympics

Reigning champion: USA

Most Gold medals: USA – 3 gold medals

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy tees off on the second hole during the final round of the 2011 U.S. Open golf tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, June 19, 2011. REUTERS/
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy tees off on the second hole during the final round of the 2011 U.S. Open golf tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, June 19, 2011. REUTERS/

Gymnastics

First introduced: 1896 Athens Olympics

Reigning champion: China

Most Gold medals: The former Soviet Union - 72 gold medals

Jacob Dalton competes on the rings during the 2016 USA Gymnastics Olympic Team Trials at Chaifetz Arena,. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jacob Dalton competes on the rings during the 2016 USA Gymnastics Olympic Team Trials at Chaifetz Arena,. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Handball

First introduced: 1936 Berlin Olympics

Reigning champion: France (Men’s), Norway (Women’s)

Most Gold medals: The former Soviet Union – 4 gold medals

Croatia's Blazenko Lackovic scores against Hungary during their men's bronze medal handball match during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena August 12, 2012. REUTERS
Croatia's Blazenko Lackovic scores against Hungary during their men's bronze medal handball match during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena August 12, 2012. REUTERS

Judo

First introduced: 1964 Tokyo Olympics

Reigning champion: Russia

Most Gold medals: Japan – 34 gold medals

Brazil's Rafael Silva (white) fights with South Korea's Kim Sung-min during their men's +100kg bronze medal judo match at the London 2012 Olympic Games August 3, 2012. REUTERS
Brazil's Rafael Silva (white) fights with South Korea's Kim Sung-min during their men's +100kg bronze medal judo match at the London 2012 Olympic Games August 3, 2012. REUTERS

Modern Pentathlon

First introduced: 1912 Stockholm Olympics

Reigning champion: Czech Republic (Men’s), Lithuania (Women’s)

Most Gold medals: Hungary and Sweden – 9 gold medals

Modern Pentathalon at the Rio Olympics 2016. (www.rio2016.com)
Modern Pentathalon at the Rio Olympics 2016. (www.rio2016.com)

Rowing

First introduced: 1900 Paris Olympics

Reigning champion: Great Britain

Most Gold medals: The former East Germany – 33 gold medals

Team Canada row with their silver medals after the victory ceremony following the women's eight finals rowing event during the London 2012 Olympic Games at Eton Dorney August 2, 2012. (Reuters)
Team Canada row with their silver medals after the victory ceremony following the women's eight finals rowing event during the London 2012 Olympic Games at Eton Dorney August 2, 2012. (Reuters)

Rugby Union

First introduced: 1900 Paris Olympics

Reigning champion: USA

Most Gold medals: USA – 2 gold medals

New Zealand's Pete Hiku is tackled by England's George Williams. (Reuters)
New Zealand's Pete Hiku is tackled by England's George Williams. (Reuters)

Sailing

First introduced: 1900 Paris Olympics

Reigning champion: Australia

Most Gold medals: Great Britain – 25 gold medals

Argentina's Lucas Calabrese and Juan de la Fuente, foreground, and Great Britain's Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell compete during the 470 men's class medal race at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in Weymouth and Portland, England. Australia's Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page won the gold medal, Great Britain's won the silver and Argentina's won the bronze. (AP)
Argentina's Lucas Calabrese and Juan de la Fuente, foreground, and Great Britain's Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell compete during the 470 men's class medal race at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in Weymouth and Portland, England. Australia's Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page won the gold medal, Great Britain's won the silver and Argentina's won the bronze. (AP)

Shooting

First introduced: 1896 Athens Olympics

Reigning champion: South Korea

Most Gold medals: USA – 53 gold medals

Competitors take aim in the combination running and shooting stage of the women's modern pentathlon, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. (AP
Competitors take aim in the combination running and shooting stage of the women's modern pentathlon, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. (AP

Football

First introduced: 1900 Paris Olympics

Reigning champion: Mexico (Men’s), USA (Women’s)

Most Gold medals: Hungary (Men’s) – 3 gold medals, USA (Women’s) – 4 gold medals

In his May 31, 2014 picture Mexico midfielder Marco Fabian controls the ball against Ecuador during a friendly soccer match in Arlington, Texas. Eintracht Frankfurt has signed Mexico midfielder Marco Fabian, the Bundesliga club says Thursday Dec. 24, 2015. The attacking midfielder signed a contract through mid-2019. Fabian last played for CD Cruz Azul on loan from Deportivo Guadalajara. He was on the Mexican team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and won gold with Mexico at the 2012 London Olympics. (AP)
In his May 31, 2014 picture Mexico midfielder Marco Fabian controls the ball against Ecuador during a friendly soccer match in Arlington, Texas. Eintracht Frankfurt has signed Mexico midfielder Marco Fabian, the Bundesliga club says Thursday Dec. 24, 2015. The attacking midfielder signed a contract through mid-2019. Fabian last played for CD Cruz Azul on loan from Deportivo Guadalajara. He was on the Mexican team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and won gold with Mexico at the 2012 London Olympics. (AP)

Swimming

First introduced: 1896

Reigning champion: USA

Most Gold medals: USA – 230 gold medals

Michael Phelps competes in a heat of the men's 400-meter individual medley at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. AP
Michael Phelps competes in a heat of the men's 400-meter individual medley at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. AP

Synchronized swimming

First introduced: 1984 Los Angeles Olympics

Reigning champion: Russia

Most Gold medals: Russia – 8 gold medals

Japan's team performs their Free Routine during the Synchronized Swimming Olympic Games Qualification Tournament at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Center in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, March 6, 2016. AP
Japan's team performs their Free Routine during the Synchronized Swimming Olympic Games Qualification Tournament at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Center in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, March 6, 2016. AP

Table Tennis

First introduced: 1988 Seoul Olympics

Reigning champion: China

Most Gold medals: China – 24 gold medals

Ma Long of China competes against Ryu Seungmin of South Korea, left, in the men's team table tennis gold medal match at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, in London. (AP)
Ma Long of China competes against Ryu Seungmin of South Korea, left, in the men's team table tennis gold medal match at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, in London. (AP)

Taekwondo

First introduced: 2000 Sydney Olympics

Reigning champion: Spain

Most Gold medals: South Korea – 10 gold medals

Ma Long of China competes against Ryu Seungmin of South Korea, left, in the men's team table tennis gold medal match at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, in London. (AP)
Ma Long of China competes against Ryu Seungmin of South Korea, left, in the men's team table tennis gold medal match at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, in London. (AP)

Tennis

First introduced: 1896 – but was dropped after 1924 and re-instated in 1988

Reigning champion: USA

Most Gold medals: USA - 20 gold medals

Switzerland's Roger Federer returns in the third round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Bosnia and Herzegovina's Damir Dzumhur at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Friday, May 29, 2015. (AP)
Switzerland's Roger Federer returns in the third round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Bosnia and Herzegovina's Damir Dzumhur at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Friday, May 29, 2015. (AP)

Track and Field

First introduced: 1896 Athens Olympics

Reigning champion: USA

Most Gold medals: USA – 320 gold medals

Usain Bolt of Jamaica, centre,runs onto win the men's 200 meter race during the Diamond League anniversary games at The Stadium, in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, Friday, July 22, 2016. (AP)
Usain Bolt of Jamaica, centre,runs onto win the men's 200 meter race during the Diamond League anniversary games at The Stadium, in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, Friday, July 22, 2016. (AP)

Triathlon

First introduced: 2000 Sydney Olympics

Reigning champion: Great Britain

Most Gold medals: Switzerland – 2 gold medals

Olympic trialthlon at the Rio Olympics 2016. (www.rio2016.com)
Olympic trialthlon at the Rio Olympics 2016. (www.rio2016.com)

Volleyball

First introduced: 1964 Tokyo Olympics

Reigning champion: Brazil

Most Gold medals: The former Soviet Union – 7 gold medals

Miyu Nagaoka of Japan spikes against Park Jeong-ah of South Korea during their Women's Volleyball World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tokyo, Tuesday, May 17, 2016. (AP)
Miyu Nagaoka of Japan spikes against Park Jeong-ah of South Korea during their Women's Volleyball World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tokyo, Tuesday, May 17, 2016. (AP)

Water polo

First introduced: 1900 Paris Olympics

Reigning champion: Croatia (Men’s), USA (Women’s)

Most Gold medals: Hungary – 9 gold medals

Serbia's Filip Filipovic, bottom, scores on a penalty against Montenegro goalkeeper Milos Scepanovic during the men's water polo bronze medal match at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. (AP
Serbia's Filip Filipovic, bottom, scores on a penalty against Montenegro goalkeeper Milos Scepanovic during the men's water polo bronze medal match at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. (AP

Weightlifting

First introduced: 1896 Athens Olympics

Reigning champion: China

Most Gold medals: The former Soviet Union – 39 gold medals

China's Liao Hui competes in the snatch during the men's group A 69-kilogram category of the World Weightlifting Championships in Goyang, west of Seoul, South Korea. (AP)
China's Liao Hui competes in the snatch during the men's group A 69-kilogram category of the World Weightlifting Championships in Goyang, west of Seoul, South Korea. (AP)

Wrestling

First introduced: 1896 Athens Olympics

Reigning champion: Russia

Most Gold medals: The former Soviet Union – 62 gold medals

Jesse Thielke, top, controls Ildar Hafizov during their 59-kilogram Greco Roman finals match at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials, Saturday, April 9, 2016, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP)
Jesse Thielke, top, controls Ildar Hafizov during their 59-kilogram Greco Roman finals match at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials, Saturday, April 9, 2016, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP)
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