DK Eyewitness Guides: Olympics (Hardcover)

Faster, stronger, higher - the Olympic motto inspires athletes to perform greater and greater feats and, as in ancient Greece, victory at the Olympic Games means becoming a hero. Today, competing in either the winter or the summer Olympic Games is still every athlete's dream; the Games bring triumphs and new records, lasting friendships, and outstanding personal achievements.

Olympics looks at the Olympic ideal of peace, harmony and internationalism. It explores the traditions, the sports, and the history of the games from ancient Greek times to the modern day - and into the future. Famous Olympians are presented alongside medals and torches, ceremonies and photofinishes, clothes and equipment.

Written by sports writers Chris Oxlade and David Ballheimer, Olympics introduces the reader to the thrilling world of sporting competitio and record-breaking athletes.

• An original and exciting new guide to the heroic world of the Olympic Games - from its ancient traditions to the Sydney Games in 2000
• Stunning full-colour photographs of famous athletes, gold medals, colourful mascots and flaming torches provide a unique look at the greatest sporting festival in the world
• See the ancient Greek site of Olympia, what an athlete wore in 1896, how a sports shoe is made, the first Fosbury flop
• Learn what an athlete in training needs to eat, what the Olympic symbol represents, how Smoky became the 1932 Olympic mascot, what sports make up a modern pentathlon
• Discover how athletes are timed within a fraction of a second, what special materials are used to make a modern swimsuit, what sports were included in the ancient Olympic Games, who has won the most Olympic medals