A Brief Guide to Every Sport at the Olympics

The women’s competition has expanded to five weight classes, from three. Russia and former Soviet countries like Uzbekistan have been at the top of the sport in recent years.

16 GOLDS

Canoe and kayak

Canoers use a one-bladed paddle and kneel in the boat. Kayakers use a two-bladed paddle and sit. The canoe sprint takes place over a flat, straight, calm course. In canoe slalom, paddlers snake through gates in river rapids. In 2019, Nevin Harrison became the first American to win gold in the world championship canoe sprint. Conveniently, her event is being added for women to the Tokyo Olympics.

22 GOLDS

Cycling

The sport has four separate disciplines at the Olympics. In road cycling, the same riders who contest the Tour de France compete. In track cycling, riders race around a banked oval at high speeds; new this year is the Madison, a sort of tag-team race for two riders. In BMX, riders race over a quick, bumpy course or perform tricks in the new freestyle competition. In mountain biking, riders traverse a long, hilly cross-country course.

8 GOLDS

Diving

China won seven of eight gold medals at the last Games. David Boudia of the United States, with four medals over three Olympics, is still going strong.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/article/olympic-sports-explained.html