The Olympics currently feature 43 sports across summer and winter programmes. The LA 2028 Summer Games will host 35 sports, while Milano Cortina 2026 features eight winter disciplines. Only four sports have appeared at every Summer Olympics since 1896: athletics, fencing, swimming, and artistic gymnastics.
Understanding what sports are in the Olympics matters for athletes, parents, and fans alike. With new sports added and others removed each cycle, keeping up can be confusing. At Team Spirit Sports, we help Australian sporting communities stay connected to the events that inspire them.
This article covers every Olympic sport you need to know about. We break down the summer and winter programmes, highlight upcoming changes for LA 2028, and explore what these shifts mean for Australian sport.
Key Takeaways
- 43 total Olympic sports span both the summer and winter programmes as of 2026.
- Five new sports join the LA 2028 Summer Olympics: cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (sixes), squash, and baseball/softball.
- Breaking (breakdancing) has been dropped from the programme after its Paris 2024 debut.
- Skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing have been promoted from optional to core Olympic sports.
- Australia's strongest Olympic sports remain swimming, athletics, cycling, and rowing, with winter sports on the rise after a record Milano Cortina 2026 campaign.
How Many Sports Are in the Olympics?
There are 43 sports on the current Olympic programme. This total combines eight winter sports and 35 summer sports. The number has grown steadily since the first modern Games in 1896.
That inaugural Athens Olympics featured just nine sports and 43 events. Only men competed. Fast forward to today, and the Games celebrate gender parity with hundreds of medal events.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) manages the programme. It distinguishes between "core" sports and "optional" sports proposed by host cities.
How the IOC Decides Which Sports to Include
The IOC reviews the sport programme before each Games. Core sports have a permanent place on the schedule. Optional sports are proposed by the local organising committee.
For a sport to be considered, it must have an international governing body. It also needs to demonstrate global participation and youth appeal.
Host cities can suggest up to five additional sports. These optional inclusions help boost local interest and ticket sales.
What Sports Are in the Summer Olympics?
The Summer Olympics represent the larger half of the programme. LA 2028 will feature 35 sports and 353 medal events. That is an increase of 22 events over Paris 2024.
Core Summer Olympic Sports
The following 31 sports form the permanent summer programme:
- Aquatics (swimming, diving, artistic swimming, water polo, marathon swimming)
- Archery
- Athletics (track and field)
- Badminton
- Basketball (including 3x3)
- Boxing
- Canoeing (sprint and slalom)
- Cycling (road, track, BMX, mountain biking)
- Equestrian (dressage, eventing, jumping)
- Fencing
- Field Hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Gymnastics (artistic, rhythmic, trampoline)
- Handball
- Judo
- Modern Pentathlon
- Rowing (including coastal rowing)
- Rugby Sevens
- Sailing
- Shooting
- Skateboarding
- Sport Climbing
- Surfing
- Table Tennis
- Taekwondo
- Tennis
- Triathlon
- Volleyball (indoor and beach)
- Weightlifting
- Wrestling (freestyle and Greco-Roman)
Note that skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing were promoted to core status after successful debuts in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
Optional Sports for LA 2028
Five optional sports were approved by the IOC in October 2023 for LA 2028:
- Baseball/Softball - returning after a two-Games absence
- Cricket (T20) - back for the first time since the 1900 Paris Games
- Flag Football - making its Olympic debut
- Lacrosse (Sixes) - returning after over a century away
- Squash - debuting at the Olympics for the first time
These additions bring the total to 36 sports for LA 2028. Each was chosen to boost engagement with American and global audiences.
New Olympic Events Within Existing Sports
Beyond new sports, the IOC has added fresh events to established disciplines. These changes reflect a push toward mixed-gender competition and innovation.
Athletics will introduce a mixed 4x100m relay. This joins the existing mixed 4x400m relay event.
Swimming gains six new individual events. The 50m backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly will debut for both men and women. This brings the total pool events to 41.
Archery adds a mixed-team compound event. Golf and artistic gymnastics will each feature a mixed-team format for the first time. Coastal rowing introduces a mixed double sculls beach sprint event.
What Sports Are in the Winter Olympics?
The Winter Olympics feature a smaller but equally thrilling programme. Milano Cortina 2026 hosted eight sports across 15 disciplines.
Core Winter Olympic Sports
- Biathlon - combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting
- Bobsleigh (including skeleton)
- Curling
- Ice Hockey
- Luge
- Skating (figure skating, speed skating, short track)
- Skiing (alpine, cross-country, ski jumping, Nordic combined, freestyle, snowboard)
Ski Mountaineering: A Notable Addition
Ski mountaineering was approved as an additional sport specifically for Milano Cortina 2026. It involves racing uphill and downhill on skis through mountain terrain. The sport drew strong interest due to its alignment with Italy's alpine culture.
Whether ski mountaineering returns for future Winter Games remains to be confirmed. Its inclusion highlights how host nations can shape the programme.
Australia's Olympic Strengths: Where We Shine
Australia has competed at every modern Summer Olympics since 1896. The nation holds an impressive total of over 610 medals, including 185 golds.
Related post: What Is Australia’s National Sport?
Swimming: Our Greatest Olympic Sport
Swimming is far and away Australia's most successful Olympic discipline. Australian swimmers have claimed 78 gold medals in the pool. The nation ranks second globally behind only the United States.
From Frederick Lane's double gold in 1900 to Ariarne Titmus dominating in recent Games, the Dolphins have a proud legacy. Swimming has produced more than a third of all Australian Olympic medals.
Athletics and Beyond
Athletics ranks as Australia's second-most productive Olympic sport. The nation has earned 76 medals across track, field, and road events. Paris 2024 delivered seven athletics medals, the best result since Melbourne 1956.
Cycling, rowing, and sailing also contribute significantly. These sports benefit from strong national programmes and dedicated funding.
Related post: Top 10 Most Popular Sports in Australia
Winter Olympics: A Nation on the Rise
Australia recorded its best-ever Winter Olympics performance at Milano Cortina 2026. The team won six medals, including three golds. Freestyle skiing stars like Jakara Anthony led the charge.
This result signals that Australia's winter sport development is accelerating. It is no longer just a summer powerhouse.
Sports That Have Been Removed from the Olympics
Not every sport stays on the programme permanently. Several disciplines have come and gone throughout Olympic history.
Recently Dropped Sports
Breaking (breakdancing) debuted at Paris 2024 but was not selected for LA 2028. Karate appeared at Tokyo 2020 and has not returned.
Historical Curiosities
The early Olympics featured sports that seem unusual today. Tug of war, croquet, and water motorsports all appeared before 1924. These sports were removed as the IOC refined its criteria for inclusion.
The Pattern of Change
The Olympic programme is always evolving. Baseball has moved on and off the schedule multiple times. Golf returned in 2016 after a 112-year absence. Tennis took a 60-year break before coming back in 1988.
This cycle of addition and removal keeps the Games relevant. It also creates opportunities for emerging sports with global appeal.
How Olympic Sports Impact Grassroots Participation
Olympic inclusion has a direct effect on grassroots sport. When a sport appears at the Games, registration numbers often surge worldwide.
The Trickle-Down Effect
Young athletes are inspired by what they see on television. A strong Olympic showing can transform a niche sport into a mainstream pursuit.
In Australia, this effect is particularly visible in swimming, hockey, and skateboarding. Schools and clubs see increased enrolments during and after each Games cycle.
What This Means for Schools and Clubs
At Team Spirit Sports, we see this firsthand through our work with schools and sporting organisations. When Olympic fever hits, demand for quality custom sportswear rises with it. Clubs want their athletes to feel part of something bigger.
Understanding the Olympic sports lineup helps coaches and administrators plan ahead. Knowing which sports are growing can guide uniform and merchandise decisions.
Looking Ahead: What Could Change After 2028?
The Olympic programme never stands still. The IOC continually evaluates which sports to keep, add, or remove.
Potential Future Additions
Esports has been a topic of discussion for several Games cycles. The IOC hosted its first Olympic Esports Games in 2025. While full inclusion remains uncertain, the conversation is ongoing.
Parkour, cheerleading, and obstacle course racing have also been mentioned as possibilities. Each would need to demonstrate broad global participation.
The Role of Host Cities
Future host cities will continue to shape the programme. Brisbane 2032 may propose sports that reflect Australian and Asia-Pacific sporting culture. This could open doors for sports with strong regional followings.
The Olympic Spirit Continues to Grow
The Olympic Games continue to evolve, and staying informed about what sports are in the Olympics is essential for anyone involved in sport. From the traditional pillars like swimming and athletics to exciting newcomers like cricket and flag football, the programme reflects a dynamic global sporting landscape.
For Australian athletes, coaches, and supporters, these changes create fresh opportunities to compete and be inspired. Whether you are outfitting a school team for a sport climbing programme or gearing up a club for the next Olympic cycle, preparation starts now.
Ready to outfit your team in premium custom sportswear? Visit Team Spirit Sports to explore our range and discover how we support Australian sporting communities at every level.
FAQ
1. How many sports are in the Olympics in total?
There are currently 43 sports across the summer and winter Olympic programmes. The LA 2028 Summer Games will feature 35 sports, while the Winter Olympics at Milano Cortina 2026 featured eight.
2. What new sports are being added for LA 2028?
Five optional sports join the programme: cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (sixes), squash, and baseball/softball. Skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing have also been elevated to core status.
3. Is breaking (breakdancing) still an Olympic sport?
No. Breaking debuted at Paris 2024 but was not selected for the LA 2028 programme. Its future Olympic status is uncertain.
4. What is Australia's most successful Olympic sport?
Swimming is Australia's most decorated Olympic sport by a significant margin. Australian swimmers have won more than 230 medals, including 78 golds, making the nation second only to the United States.
5. How does the IOC decide which sports to include?
The IOC reviews the programme before each Games. Core sports have a permanent place, while host cities can propose up to five optional sports. Factors include global participation, youth appeal, and the sport's international governing body.