Some surprising and interesting facts exist in the world of sports.
These include:
- Winners in the Olympics were originally not awarded gold, but with a silver medal and an olive branch instead.
- Golf was banned in England in 1457 because it was considered a distraction from the serious pursuit of archery.
- The world record for the most number of non-stop push-ups is 10 507, set by Minoru Yoshida of Japan.
- Golf and football were banned in Scotland three times, in 1457, 1471 and 1491.
- The average golf ball has 336 dimples.
- Every ball used in Major League Baseball (MLB) is dirty. Each baseball is wiped down with mud in order for pitchers to get a better grip.
- James Fixx, a man who popularised jogging in America, died from a heart attack while jogging.
- Babe Ruth, American baseball player, wore a cabbage leaf under his cap for good luck and to keep cool. He reportedly changed it every two innings.
- The first-ever Olympic Games was won by a chef.
- Golf was the first sport played on the moon by Apollo 14 astronaut Alan Shepard in 1971.
- The colors of the Olympic Rings each represents one of the five continents of the world.
- Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in the world, with over four billion fans.
