The modern Olympic games have been canceled three times, and always on account of war. The 1916 Summer Olympics in Berlin were canceled because of WWI. The 1940 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, as well as the 1944 Summer Olympics in London were canceled because of WWII.

Remember when Nadia Comenaci of Romania became the first gymnast to record a perfect score of 10.0 in 1976? No gymnast since 2006 has achieved that feat. The Olympic committee abandoned their old scoring system that year making it impossible for future gymnasts to score the big 10.

The rings are meant to represent five continents (America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania). While every single flag of every country in the world contains at least one of the colours present in the symbol: yellow, green, red, black, and blue.

Rio 2016 will be the first time in Olympic history that a South American country has hosted the Games. The Brazilian government has taken a no holds barred approach to their budget, spending a reported $12 billion on building the venues and other preparations for the games.

Despite the hoopla surrounding doping in sports, athletes aren’t completely cut off from some performance-enhancing drugs. Sportsmen and women are allowed to drink coffee and energy drinks before competing – both of which can perk up an athlete’s speed and stamina!

The ritual of lighting the Olympic flame using a torch that is relayed around the world was first carried out at the 1936 Berlin Games. Its origins lie in ancient Greece, where a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics.

Looks can be deceiving huh? Medals made with pure gold were last awarded in 1912, and winners today receive medals that are 93% silver and 6% copper, with just 6 grams of gold. That probably doesn’t matter to the athletes though, who work hard to gain glory and fame through sheer grit and determination.

How is England’s most famous bard connected to the Olympics? Shakespeare was apparently the first person to use the word “Olympian” in 1591, in Henry VI, with the line: “Promise them such rewards, As victors wear at the Olympian games.”

Organizers say they will prepare 60,000 meals per day to feed the athletes. Brazilian staples like rice, black beans and barbecued meat will be accompanied by other local offerings, such as tapioca, cheese bread and the superfood, acai berry. Yum!

Athletes in the Olympic Village reportedly used 70,000 condoms at the 2000 games, and 100,000 at the 2008 games but Rio will raise the bar. Organisers will distribute 350,000 male condoms and 100,000 female for the athletes. Lubricant will also be provided.