The 2012 Summer Olympics, officially called The Games of the XXX Olympiad kicks off on July 27th in London, United Kingdom!

For about two weeks, the world will be watching their top athletes compete for medals of honor in a multi-sport event.  These sports range from boxing to archery. Some of the most competitive games to watch include swimming, gymnastics, cycling, weightlifting and basketball.

The American Olympic Team of 1912

Since 1896, every four years, the International Olympic Committee organizes and selects a city to host the games and sets the rules and guidelines of the Olympic games. The original games were held in Olympia, Greece from 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. Prior to every Olympic game, there is an Olympic Torch Relay that lasts for a few months to celebrate the event; the flame in the torch symbolizes the Olympic game.  

Polo playing at Piping Rock

At NYPL, we have print and digital resources that cover history of the Summer Olympic Games as well as sport history: 

• For images and photos of sporting events, check out the NYPL Digital Gallery
• Print Resources on the history of the Olympics and the history of sports
• Digital Resources on the history of sports (online, on-site)
• PressDisplay provides access to current newspapers from around the world! (online with your library card)

The Summer Olympics 2012 will end on August 12 with a closing ceremony but will return and take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016. For now, we can all cheer and root for Team USA!  

R is the RUNNER who tears round the track ...