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The Olympic rings represent five continents, not five colour-coded continents

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Olympic stadium illuminated during a closing ceremony
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5 rings

The Olympic rings represent five continents, not five colour-coded continents

The five Olympic rings symbolise the union of Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. No individual ring colour officially belongs to a particular continent.

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Panathenaic Stadium in Athens
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1896

The first modern Olympics opened in Athens in 1896

Athens hosted the first modern Olympic Games from 6 to 15 April 1896. The IOC records 241 athletes, 14 national teams and 43 events.

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Anders Haugen competing in ski jumping at the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix
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1924

The first Winter Olympics began as a winter sports week

Chamonix staged the competitions now recognised as the first Olympic Winter Games in 1924. They were originally called a Winter Sports Week and received retrospective recognition in 1926.

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