Sports Facts for Kids
Fun facts from the world of sports
Skateboarding was invented in California in the 1950s by surfers who wanted a way to practice their moves when there were no waves. They attached roller skate wheels to wooden planks and called it 'sidewalk surfing'.
Roger Federer won Wimbledon a record eight times, more than any other man in the history of the tournament. He is also the only player to have won at least one Grand Slam title in 12 consecutive seasons.
Archery was one of the first Olympic sports in which women were allowed to compete, way back in 1904. Today, top Olympic archers can hit a bullseye the size of a coin from 70 metres away — that's like shooting across a football field!
Fencers salute each other before and after every bout as a mark of respect, a tradition dating back to when duelling was a real part of life. The protective mask must be worn during the salute at Olympic level to prevent any accidental injury.
The Tour de France, cycling's most famous race, covers over 3,000 km (1,900 miles) across France and neighbouring countries over 21 stages in three weeks. Riders burn an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 calories a day during the race.
MLB umpires start every baseball game carrying about eight dozen (96) brand new balls. Each ball is only used for an average of six pitches before being taken out of play, so teams go through thousands of balls per season.
A taekwondo kick can travel so fast it is nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. Elite fighters can throw a kick at over 130 km/h (80 mph), and the sport was actually developed by the Korean military as a form of self-defence.
The Olympic torch relay, where a flame is carried from Olympia in Greece to the host city, was actually introduced at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Over 3,000 runners carried the flame across 12 countries before it arrived at the stadium.
All curling stones used in international competition come from a tiny island called Ailsa Craig off the coast of Scotland. The island's granite is uniquely resistant to absorbing water, which is why it's perfect for sliding on ice.
In volleyball, the net is set at 2.43 metres (about 8 feet) high for men and 2.24 metres for women. A volleyball match has no time limit — teams play until one side wins three sets, and sets can go on as long as needed.