Olympic facts and figures

A rundown of fascinating olympic statistics

The Olympic Games is the worlds top sporting event

The Olympic Rings symbolise 'success and high standards'

At the time, the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games was the most watched sports event ever - more than 3.7billion people tuned in to watch

After Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, research showed that 12 - 19 year olds held the Olympics in higher overall regard, and more closely associated the Olympics with the positive attributes of 'friendship', 'fair competition' and being 'trustworthy'

Research undertaken in Brazil, China, France, Russia, Senegal and the USA found that 77% of interviewees felt 'there is something for everyone in the Olympics' and felt 'nothing brings the world together like the Olympics'

IOC market research for the Salt Lake 2002 Games showed:

93% of spectators felt 'The Olympics is an international celebration of sport and culture' 97% of corporate guests felt 'The Olympics are special because they don't happen every year'

BOA research found there was 56% unaided recognition of the BOA 'Lion' logo with 89% recognising the rings as being Olympic, virtually on par with recognition of the McDonald's and Shell logos.

66% felt the logo stood for sportsmanship

63% felt it was a symbol associated with the countries top sports people

60% felt it was a symbol of national pride

49% for tradition and heritage

45% for quality 42% for excellence

In 1998 the IOC surveyed people in the UK as part of its Olympic Imagery Study

58% had positive feelings towards the Olympics 69% had positive opinions of Olympic athletes

52% said that companies that sponsor the Olympics 'deserve my support'

UK people associated the Olympics with being multi-cultural, peaceful, global and about participation

Sport in the UK is a huge phenomenon - it is something that both captures and reflects the mood of society and cuts across social boundaries within the population

People connect with the Olympics because of National Pride, admiration, emotion and social bonding, creating a common ground of national interest, from the office to the pub - people united and celebrated the successes and commiserated at what could have been

Almost all people in the UK watched at least part of the Olympic Games

More than 6.6million viewers saw Steve Redgraves triumph in the coxless fours at 12.30am on the BBC. A further 6.4million viewers watched Denise Lewis win her Gold medal

People watch the Olympics because of childhood dreams, competitive spirit and the unity the Games represent

Research by UK Sport in 2001 showed that 60% of women are interested in Olympic Games (41% in the World Cup) and 71% of men are interested in the Olympic Games (70% in the World Cup)

In December 2000, the Government commissioned independent research looking at interest in the Olympic Games in the UK. It found that more British People say they have an interest in the Olympic Games than they did about the football World Cup or sport in general

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