20 Little-Known Facts About Sports, People and Places
Sports Trivia: Fun Facts About Your Favorite Games
1. The first Olympic games were held in ancient Greece in 776 BC.
2. Basketball was invented by Canadian physical education instructor James Naismith in 1891.
3. Golf is considered one of the oldest sports in history, with roots dating back to Scotland in the 15th century.
4. Soccer has been played for over 2,000 years, originating in China before spreading throughout Europe.
Little-Known Stories of Famous Athletes
5. Michael Jordan’s famous jump shot was inspired by a free throw he missed during his college career at North Carolina.
6. Babe Ruth’s real name was George Herman Ruth Jr., named after his father who owned a saloon.
7. Muhammad Ali once said that he would “float like a butterfly” because he didn’t want people to think he was too heavy.
Unusual Rules and Customs in Sports Around the World
8. In cricket, it is customary for players to wear white clothing while playing.
9. In Japan, sumo wrestlers must follow strict rules regarding their hair length, including shaving their heads when they join a stable.
10. In Sweden, there is an annual competition called “Wife Carrying,” where men race carrying their wives on their shoulders.
The Strangest Records Set in Sports History
11. The longest tennis match ever recorded lasted for 11 hours and five minutes.
12. The fastest serve in professional tennis was clocked at 163 mph.
13. The most goals scored in a single soccer game was 149, set in a friendly match between Madagascar and New Caledonia.
People You Never Knew Were Incredible Athletes
14. Actor Tom Selleck was offered a contract to play baseball for the Detroit Tigers.
15. Actress Geena Davis won an archery gold medal at the 1999 Pan American Games.
Places with a Surprising Sporting Heritage
16. Rugby football was created in England in 1823, making it one of the world’s oldest team sports.
17. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was developed in Rio de Janeiro as a way for smaller fighters to defend themselves against larger opponents.
Bizarre Moments in Sports That Will Make You Laugh Out Loud
18. During a 1988 NBA game, Michael Jordan made a basket from half court, then immediately ran off the court to vomit.
19. In 1995, a streaker interrupted a golf tournament being played by President Bill Clinton.
Weird Superstitions and Rituals Among Professional Athletes
20. Many athletes have strange pregame rituals or superstitions, such as Sergio Garcia’s habit of tapping his ball three times before putting.