Q 01/05

Which stone was set into the back of every medal at the 2008 Olympics, a first for the Summer Games?

A) Amber

B) Jade

C) Pearl

D) Onyx

Answer · why

B) Jade

Jade formed a ring around the Games logo on the reverse of each medal. No Summer Olympic host before had added a material other than metal, though thr...

Q 02/05

What did Cuban taekwondo fighter Ángel Matos do after being disqualified at the 2008 Olympics, earning a life ban?

A) Kicked the referee

B) Punched his opponent

C) Refused to leave the arena

D) Threw a chair at judges

Answer · why

A) Kicked the referee

Matos kicked the referee in the face after overrunning a one-minute injury time-out in his bronze-medal match. His coach was banned for life with him.

Q 03/05

What was later revealed about nine-year-old Lin Miaoke's song at the 2008 Olympic opening ceremony?

A) She forgot the words

B) Her microphone was off

C) Another girl sang it

D) It was the wrong anthem

Answer · why

C) Another girl sang it

Another girl sang it: Lin Miaoke mimed to a recording by Yang Peiyi, who stayed out of sight. The ceremony's music director admitted the switch a few ...

Q 04/05

Usain Bolt won the 2008 Olympic 100 metres in a world-record 9.69 seconds despite doing what before the finish?

A) Stumbling from the blocks

B) Losing one of his shoes

C) Straying out of his lane

D) Celebrating early

Answer · why

D) Celebrating early

Celebrating early, Bolt spread his arms and slapped his chest with the race already won. A year later he ran through the line in Berlin and cut the re...

Q 05/05

How many gold medals did swimmer Michael Phelps win at the 2008 Olympics, a record for a single Games?

A) Six

B) Seven

C) Eight

D) Nine

Answer · why

C) Eight

Eight golds from as many events put Phelps ahead of every athlete at any one Olympics, and all but one came in world-record time. His career total rea...