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Athletes from all over the world compete in the XXIII Olympic Games from Feb. 9 to Feb. 25, 2018, in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Olympics

Every few years, the world comes together to celebrate its strongest, toughest, and most athletic stars. Nothing makes us prouder than watching our sports heroes step onto the podium while the national anthem plays - especially because elite athletes tend to be pretty easy on the eyes. But which Olympic events have the hottest stars? This list of hot Olympians broken down by sport will finally answer that question. In fact, it is your duty as a citizen to give <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/olympic-gold-medal-winners/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">a gold medal</a> to the sport with the most attractive athletes. Vote up the Olympic sports and events with the hottest athletes.Take a moment to&nbsp;truly appreciate the sexy side of sports, as long as you also remember that these world class Olympians worked incredibly hard to get where they are in the competition. All of their dedication has brought them to the world stage to proudly represent their nations and themselves. It sure is a pleasure to watch.

Hosting the Olympics almost always backfires. It sounds glamorous, but in reality, it's anything but. Cities build massive arenas and hotels just to accommodate the events and athletes&nbsp;and then have virtually nothing to use them for after the games hit the road.&nbsp;As a result, the world is positively littered with abandoned Olympics venues. From Sarajevo to Athens, most places just can't handle the Olympics.Start to finish, host cities run inevitably run into problem after problem. One of the biggest problems is almost always infrastructure. Hosting the Olympics requires several venues and arenas, pretty much all of which need to be new or at least newly renovated.Of course, after the Olympics are over, there's really no more need for said venues. Some continue to get used for various purposes, but many inevitably fall into a state of disrepair. The specialty sites, in particular,&nbsp;the ones built for things like bobsledding and other less popular sports, are usually the first to go. In the end, the upkeep on old Olympic sites just hasn't been worth it for most past host cities. There are ghost sites from previous Olympics all over the world. Here are some of the creepiest.

Who doesn&rsquo;t remember exactly where they were when they watched the opening ceremony of the last Olympics? Or the <a href="http://www.olympicchannel.com/en/olympic-games/" target="_blank">Olympic Games</a> before that? But what are the best opening ceremonies in <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/olympics-history-facts/kellen-perry" target="_blank">Olympic&nbsp;history</a>? This list&nbsp;of past Olympic opening ceremonies from both the Summer and Winter Games&nbsp;will help answer that question.&nbsp;

Since the Olympics are a gathering of the top athletes from countries all over the world in fierce competition for which country has the world&#39;s best athletes, it only makes sense that the opening ceremony would be top notch! The ceremony usually demonstrates a showcase of the absolute best the host country has to offer, showing us their impressive creativity, artistic talents, and musical influences. The best aspects of their culture are on display for the entire world to see.

This list has depictions of the best opening ceremonies from the Summer and Winter Olympics, including the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens,&nbsp;and the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo.

Vote up the most spectacular opening ceremonies and vote down those&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/olympics-cheating-scandals/loganrapp" target="_blank">that disappointed</a>.

Athletes

Every two years the world comes together to witness one of the greatest sports spectacles known to man: The Olympic&nbsp;Games. And while it’s not fun to think about, one of the inevitabilities of a high level competition like this&nbsp;is that someone is going to get hurt. Sports injuries are especially painful to watch because they rarely look like something that the athlete can walk away from. The sad fact of the matter is that most of the people who got hurt in the Olympics were either never able to compete again at the same level, or their bodies were completely wrecked, rendering them little more than a warning post to future Olympians. Hopefully you’re not squeamish, because the following Olympic injuries were all very painful.Trying to determine who suffered the worst Olympic injuries is kind of like arguing over which bullet wound is the worst. They all hurt, and more than likely they all changed the athlete's life. Some of the athletes that are covered on here managed to survive their bad Olympic injuries and return to compete four years later, but a few of these athletes&nbsp;completely lost their abilities, and a couple of them even died. Continue reading to find out about these terrible injuries in sports, and see just how much these athletes dedicate their bodies to the Olympic Games.

True Stories

Everyone loves a good underdog story (except for maybe those who end up being remembered as the losers) and Olympic history is full of them. The Olympics are a massive world stage and every four years, the world becomes captivated by the games - and especially by their stories of triumph. Stars come out of the woodwork and there are always some unexpected winners.One of the most memorable instances of this was in 1980, when the U.S. Men's Hockey team shocked the world by beating the heavily favored Soviets. It has since been deemed the Miracle on Ice and the story was even made into an acclaimed movie, but that's only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Olympic underdog stories.From track and field to the swimming pool, every four years we get more inspiring Olympian stories. With the Winter and Summer Olympics taking place alternately every two years, you never have too long to wait for new tales of the Olympic underdogs. Luckily, past occasions have yet to lose their magic. Seeing someone who really just shouldn't have won win it all is still one of the most special things in sports, and that'll likely never change.

Winter Sports

There have been a number of cool sports featured at Winter Olympics past that won't be played at the 2018 Winter Olympics in&nbsp;PyeongChang in 2018. One of the best&nbsp;is ski ballet. Maybe you would support its return?Vote up the bygone Winter Sports - all of which were only featured as demonstration sports - that you would like to see included in the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, and we'll see what the Olympic Committee has to say about it. After you are finished voting on sports of the Winter Olympics' past, go ahead and check out this list of countries with <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/countries-with-olympic-medals-in-alpine-skiing/reference" target="_blank">Olympic medals in Alpine skiing</a>.

Olympians are an interesting breed. They strive against life and limb to compete, to prove themselves, to represent their country and to be the best in the world at something. Here are thirteen incredible stories about Olympians doing everything they can to win, to finish or to even compete. From a man with gall stones who ran two miles to get to the stadium, won a race, then was rushed to the hospital, to a woman who overcame paralysis, to a man who stopped rowing mid-race for a family of ducks and still won -- these are the thirteen wildest stories about Olympic athletes, and what they'll do for a chance at the gold.

There are many strange and fascinating facts buried in the long, <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/rio-olympics-horror-stories/jacob-shelton?var=2&amp;utm_expid=16418821-231.pO7IiG9BRyyg5tM_TumNKg.1&amp;utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ranker.com%2Fapp%2Fsearch.htm%3Fq%3Drio%2Bolympics">bizarre history of the Olympics</a>. The Summer Olympics of 2016&nbsp;look almost nothing like those from a century ago, and it’s not just the slick presentation and technological advancements in the individual events. Everything about the Summer and Winter Olympics used to be a whole lot weirder and, well, pretty&nbsp;backwards.&nbsp;In many ways, the games have acted as a microcosm of what was happening in the world at the time, for better or for worse.Just how old are the Olympics? That depends if you’re referring to the ancient or modern games: the ancient games were held from the 8th century BCE to the 4th century CE, while the modern games were born in 1896. Both eras feature tons of examples of almost superhuman athleticism, but also a whole lot of sexism, racism, nudity, incompetence, drug abuse, waste, and wackiness.&nbsp;So who created the Olympics? What about those Olympic rings? Read on to learn some things you probably don’t know about the history of the Olympic games.

Scandals

The Olympic Games are consistently&nbsp;astounding and filled with high drama, not&nbsp;just because the athletes are&nbsp;paragons of human physical and mental capability, but because the competition has a bit of a dark side. Examining the worst crimes committed at the Olympics helps us peel back the thin veneer of gold surrounding the event and reveal the truth underneath.&nbsp;And it goes beyond how the Olympics typically <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/economics-of-the-olympics/kellen-perry" target="_blank">bankrupt&nbsp;host countries</a>, or how often <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/olympics-cheating-scandals/loganrapp" target="_blank">athletes are caught cheating</a>.&nbsp;Over the decades, myriad&nbsp;scandals have&nbsp;almost ruined the Olympics, from terrorist bombings to regular&nbsp;doping accusations.&nbsp;Out of the scores of Olympic crimes committed, there are a few that truly stand out as&nbsp;some of the worst things that have&nbsp;ever happened at the Olympics.

poll

Chariots of Fire

The Olympics are a source of inspiration, unity, and hope across the globe. Every country is proud to send its best athletes to the games to display their talents to the entire world. It’s no wonder that so many movies have centered on the Olympics, as these are some of the most inspirational stories of all time. But what are the best movies about the Olympics? Vote up the best Olympic films below and see where your favorites rank! &nbsp; The movies on this list have been ranked as the absolute best films on the subject of the Olympics. Many of these films highlight an individual athlete’s life story and the journey that lead them to becoming the absolute best in their event. Others focus on the failed attempts of prospective Olympians. But no matter the narrative, each of these films offers an inspiring look at the Olympic Games and the Olympians who make them so special. &nbsp; This list features the best movies about the Olympics including, Chariots of Fire, Cool Runnings, One Day in September, Munich, Miracle, Without Limits, and The Cutting Edge. Vote up the best films below or add a movie with an Olympic story that isn't already on the list.

Funny

As a former collegiate softball player, I was one of many saddened to see the sport excised from the Olympics in recent years. This, however, is not a <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-fictional-sports-coaches/ranker-entertainment?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">list of sports</a> we would really want to see on broadcast TV... as part of the Olympics, anyway. These are the dream competitions; the events Joe Anybody could set a world record in. The events with potential to thrust (or hoist) an overweight man from the middle of Saskatchewan onto the Olympic victors' stand, where he can be decorated in a way befitting of someone who just told that kid on a fixie to get a haircut (and a life). What event would you add to the Olympics? Would you be a medalist in changing diapers without throwing up? How about a champion in swearing? There are so many things the world should give medals for but doesn't, and this is a chance to right that wrong. On the Internet. With some people you've never met before who may have an unnatural ability to watch TV for 72 straight hours. Seriously: this is the only marathon many people in America could ever even dream of winning.&nbsp;&nbsp;Winter, Summer, indoor, outdoor; if you think there's an event you could OWN (if only it were in the Olympics), make sure to add it to this list of events that should totally be in the Olympics.&nbsp;

In a 2014&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-history-tells-us-about-hosting-the-olympics/2014/10/10/d63ac21c-4e45-11e4-8c24-487e92bc997b_story.html" target="_blank">editorial </a>in The Washington Post on the economics of the Olympics, Steve Blakely wrote,&nbsp;&quot;Olympics typically lose money at taxpayer expense and leave no long-term economic benefits.&quot; Blakely is not alone in this thinking. Writing on the&nbsp;effects of the Olympics on host cities, Binyamin Appelbaum came to the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/10/magazine/does-hosting-the-olympics-actually-pay-off.html?_r=0" target="_blank">conclusion</a> that &quot;there is strikingly little evidence that such events increase tourism or draw new investment. Spending lavishly on a short-lived event is, economically speaking, a dubious long-term strategy.&quot; There are exceptions: Los Angeles in '84 and Barcelona in '92 were both profitable Olympic games that boosted the local economy.But sometimes, Olympic host city economic issues can be downright disastrous. Billions of dollars in debt passed on to taxpayers, recessions, squatters in Olympic Villages, so-called &quot;white elephant&quot; stadiums left crumbling, and much, much worse. It happens more than you might think.&nbsp;Read on for some of the worst all-time examples of economic issues following Olympic games and learn about the&nbsp;effects of the Olympics on host cities.

Whether it&#39;s the Winter Olympics or the Summer Games, Olympic Villages are full of&nbsp;fit people whose nerves and hormones are running on high. Not to mention the fact that they&#39;re all in a new place, with new people and plenty of reasons to party. What does all that add up to? Hookups. A lot of them.

Of course, the Olympic Village isn&#39;t just one giant party all the time. Sometimes the athletes have to take breaks and go play the sports they&#39;ve been training for their whole lives. There are some other interesting Olympic village stories that don&#39;t include getting intimate, of course - they&#39;re just not as prevalent.

The Olympic Games are the ultimate test of athleticism and skill. But when you look back at what events were in the Olympics that are now discontinued, you might think differently. The athletes that competed at the turn of the 20th century weren't&nbsp;much compared to Michael Phelps or Simone Biles. And some events are a far cry from the exciting swimming races or gymnastic events we watch today. Just like how <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/old-photos-of-strongmen/erin-mccann?utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=historypost&amp;pgid=642850749204637&amp;utm_campaign=old-photos-of-strongmen" target="_blank">old timey strongmen</a> used to compete in events that by today’s standards look quite silly, some of the retired Olympic events look pretty questionable when contrasted against more modern versions of the Games.Some of the most bizarre and unusual sports that ended up on the Olympic program&nbsp;look pretty wacky – like ski ballet or solo synchronized swimming. Although these weird events might have been fun to compete in, lack of spectators or lack of athleticism (as in motorboating) usually led to a sport’s Olympic demise. Take a look at these weird competitive events that used to be in the Olympics. Do you think you could compete?If you enjoyed this list of the dumbest sports in the Olympics, head on over and check out this list of the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/boring-summer-olympics-events/erik-barnes" target="_blank">most boring Summer Olympics sports</a> as well!

The Olympic Games

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These famous Olympians from Minnesota have achieved some of the highest honors in sports history just by qualifying for the Olympics, as most athletes will never have the honor of representing their country in such a fashion. While not all of them have taken home a medal, these are the most prominent people from Minnesota who have competed in the Olympics and they all deserve recognition for their achievements. Both male and female athletes have had the honor or representing their country at&nbsp;the prestigious games. From skiers like Lindsey Vonn to legendary <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/notable-ice-hockey_s)/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">ice hockey players</a> like Krissy&nbsp;Wendall, some of the biggest Olympians from Minnesota - past and present -&nbsp;are listed below.&nbsp;You'll find answers on this list if you find yourself wondering, &quot;Which Olympians are from Minnesota?&quot; and &quot;Which Olympians were born in Minnesota?&quot;After you are finished with this list, head on over and check out lists like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/olympic-athletes-born-in-missouri/reference" target="_blank">Olympians born in Missouri</a>.&nbsp;

List of Olympians from Minnesota | Olympians Born in Minnesota

Olympic Athletes Born in Minnesota

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Lindsey Vonn

Lindsey Caroline Vonn (née Kildow ; born October 18, 1984) is an American former World Cup alpine ski racer on the US Ski Team. She won four World Cup overall championships—one of only two female skiers to do so, along with Annemarie Moser-Pröll—with three consecutive titles in 2008, 2009, and 2010, plus another in 2012. Vonn won the gold medal in downhill at the 2010 Winter Olympics, the first one for an American woman. She also won a record 8 World Cup season titles in the downhill discipline (2008–2013, 2015, 2016), 5 titles in super-G (2009–2012, 2015), and 3 consecutive titles in the combined (2010–2012). In 2016, she won her 20th World Cup crystal globe title, the overall record for men or women, surpassing Ingemar Stenmark of Sweden, who won 19 globes from 1975 to 1984. She has the second highest super ranking of all skiers, men or women.
Vonn is one of 6 women to have won World Cup races in all five disciplines of alpine skiing—downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom and super combined—and won 82 World Cup races in her career through February 3, 2018. Her total of 82 World Cup victories is a women's record, surpassing Annemarie Moser-Pröll of Austria who had held the record since the 1970s. Only Ingemar Stenmark of Sweden with 86 World Cup victories has more. With her Olympic gold and bronze medals, 2 World Championship gold medals in 2009 (plus three silver medals in 2007 and 2011), and 4 overall World Cup titles, Vonn is the most successful American ski racer and considered one of the greatest of all skiers.In 2010, Vonn received the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year award  and was the United States Olympic Committee's sportswoman of the year.Injuries caused Vonn to miss parts of several seasons, including almost all of the 2014 season and most of the 2013 season. While recovering from injury, she worked as a correspondent for NBC News covering the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. However in 2019, she announced her retirement, citing her injuries.

Gigi Marvin

Ryan Stoa

Ryan James Stoa (born April 13, 1987) is an American professional ice hockey left wing currently under contract with Örebro HK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

Maddie Rooney

Sidney Morin

Dani Cameranesi

Annie Hart

Rosie Frankowski

Jessie Diggins

Tyler George

Tyler George (born October 6, 1982) is an American curler.

John Landsteiner

John Landsteiner is an American curler. He competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics. His hometown is Mapleton, Minnesota and he currently resides in Duluth, Minnesota.

Krissy Wendell-Pohl

Kristin Elizabeth "Krissy" Wendell-Pohl (born September 12, 1981, known as Krissy Wendell until 2007) is an American women's ice hockey player. During the 2004–05 season, Wendell set an NCAA record for most short-handed goals in one season, with seven. At the conclusion of her college career, she held the record for most career short-handed goals, with 16. Both marks have since been equaled by Meghan Agosta. Wendell is currently in the Top 10 for all-time NCAA scoring, with 237 career points.

Alana Blahoski

Alana Olga Blahoski (born April 29, 1974) is an American ice hockey player from Saint Paul, Minnesota. She won a gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics.

Amy Peterson

Amy Peterson (born November 29, 1971) is an American short track speed skater. Peterson competed in five consecutive Olympic games from when short track speed skating was exhibition sport in 1988 to 2002.Peterson qualified for her first Olympic Games in 1988 for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary at age 16. In 1988 short track speed skating was just a demonstration sport and no medals were awarded. Peterson won the 1,000 meters, and 1,500 meters US speed skating titles at the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1989. She also placed third in the 500 meters.Peterson was born in Maplewood, Minnesota. She attended Johnson Senior High School in Saint Paul, Minnesota and graduated in 1990. Her uncle, Gene Sandvig, competed in speed skating in the 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games.Peterson returned to qualify for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan after overcoming chronic fatigue syndrome. Peterson's performance suffered during the time with her dropping from the number one U.S. woman to eighth.In 2000, Peterson won all four distances at U.S. short track speed skating  championships. Peterson qualified for the 2000 Winter Goodwill Games while winning the 500, 1,000, 1,500 and 3,000 meter races. She held the American record in 1,000, 1,500 and 3,000 meters races in June 2000. In 2001, she won her eighth U.S. women's championship.By the end of the 2000–2001 season Peterson was ranked ninth in the world and ranked in the top ten for each distance.In the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, Peterson was elected to carry the US flag at the opening ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics. She planned for the Olympics to be her last one. Peterson failed to win a medal in any of her individual events or in the relay.Peterson failed to qualify for her sixth Olympic games in 2005.

Amy Sannes

Amy Sannes (born 3 Feb 1977 in St. Paul, Minnesota) is an Olympic speed skater who competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics, 2002 Winter Olympics and 2006 Winter Olympics.  
She graduated in 2004 from the University of Utah with a degree in exercise physiology.

Anthony Conroy

Anthony Joseph "Tony" Conroy (October 18, 1895 – January 11, 1978) was an American ice hockey player. He played as a forward on the United States hockey teams. The team competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics, winning the silver medal. He moved into the pros with the St.Paul Saints in 1925-26, turning down offers from National Hockey League teams to play out his career in his hometown.
Conroy was born, and died, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.



Becky Holder

Rebecca Holder (born April 24, 1969) is a equestrian who qualified for the Eventing competition of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing from Mendota Heights, Minnesota, competing for the United States in her first Olympics. She has been riding the 12-year-old, Courageous Comet, a gray off-the-track thoroughbred gelding, since 2002. Recent successes include the pair finishing second at the 2008 Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in April, 2008. They were in the lead heading into the show jumping but had two rails and fell behind Phillip Dutton and the stunning Connaught. Stadium seems to be the pair's weak point. At The Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in 2006, Becky also went into show jumping in the lead but had 4 rails down and several time faults, dropping them into a disappointing 13th place.At the Olympics, she placed fifth in the Individual Eventing Dressage competition with a score of 35.8 penalty points. She had two mistakes in her cross-country run, dropping her out of the running for a medal. Becky was the alternate member on the U.S Eventing squad in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.Holder used to run a part-time teaching business out of Carriage House Farm in Hugo, Minnesota. From November to May, she trains her upper level horses in North Carolina.



Bill Baker

William Robert Baker (born November 29, 1956 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota) is an American retired professional ice hockey defenseman who played 143 regular season games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers between 1980 and 1983.

Bret Hedican

Bret Michael Hedican (born August 10, 1970) is an American former professional ice hockey player, a Stanley Cup champion, and a two-time US Olympian.

Brett Hauer

Brett Timothy Hauer (born July 11, 1971 in Richfield, Minnesota) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played parts of three seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators.

Briana Scurry

Briana Collette Scurry (born September 7, 1971) is an American retired soccer goalkeeper and current assistant coach of the Washington Spirit. Scurry was the starting goalkeeper for the United States women's national soccer team at the 1995 World Cup (3rd place), 1996 Summer Olympics (gold medal), 1999 World Cup (champions), 2003 World Cup (3rd place), and the 2004 Summer Olympic Games (gold medal). She played in the semi-final and playoff for third place in the 2007 Women's World Cup (3rd place). She was a founding member of the WUSA, playing three seasons as starting goalkeeper for the Atlanta Beat (2001–2003).
Her career total of 173 international appearances is the second most among female soccer goalkeepers. It is also the fifteenth most of any American female player, and the thirty-second most among all women.
Scurry was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame on August 3, 2017. She was the first woman goalkeeper and first black woman to be awarded the honor.

Carolyn Bramante

Carolyn Treacy Bramante is an athlete from Duluth, Minnesota, USA. She was a member of the U.S. 2006 Winter Olympics biathlon team. She attended Dartmouth College.

Cassandra Potter

Cassandra "Cassie" Potter (née Johnson) (born October 30, 1981) is an American curler best known for skipping the United States Women's Curling Team at the 2006 Winter Olympics and the 2005 Women's World Curling Championships. Her sister is fellow curler Jamie Haskell.

Chris Plys

Christopher Plys (; born August 13, 1987 in Duluth, Minnesota) is an American curler.

Chris Reitsma

Christopher Michael Reitsma (born December 31, 1977) is Canadian American former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played seven seasons in the majors, from 2001 until 2007, with the Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, and Seattle Mariners.


 
 
 This is a list of Olympic athletes born in Minnesota. Which Olympian is the best? That's for the readers to decide.
 
