Summer Olympic Games Host Countries and Cities

Please see the complete list with hosting countries and cities here.

What’s the number of countries that hosted a summer Olympic game?

The summer Olympic games were held in 19 different countries. Please see the list below:

• United States – 5 times
• United Kingdom – 3 times
• France – 3 times
• Australia – 2 times
• Japan – 2 times
• Germany – 2 times
• Greece – 3 times
• Brazil – 1 time
• China – 1 time
• Spain – 1 time
• South Korea – 1 time
• Russia – 1 time
• Canada – 1 time
• Mexico – 1 time
• Italy – 1 time
• Finland – 1 time
• Netherlands – 1 time
• Belgium – 1 time
• Sweden – 1 time

What’s the number of cities that hosted a summer Olympic game?

The summer Olympic games were held in 23 different cities.

Summer Olympic Games Overview

Olympic Games are a global multisport event with summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in various competitions. Currently, the Summer Games are held every four years, in even years. Originally, the Ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 5th century AD In the 19th century, Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee in 1894. The committee became the governing body of the Olympic Movement , whose structure and actions are defined by the Olympic Charter.

The Olympic Movement is currently composed of international sports federations, national Olympic committees (NOCs) and organizing commissions for each Olympic Games specificity. As the decision-making body, the IOC is responsible for choosing the host city for each edition. The host city is responsible for organizing and financing the celebration of the Games consistent with the Olympic Charter. The Olympic program, which consists of the sport that will be played at each Olympic Games, is also determined by the IOC. The celebration of the Games encompasses many rituals and symbols, such as the Olympic torch and flag, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. There are more than 13,000 athletes competing in the Summer Olympics, in 33 different sports with around 400 events. The first, second and third place finalists in each event receive Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively.

The Games have grown in scale, to the point that almost all nations are represented. Such growth has created numerous challenges, including boycotts, doping, corruption of public officials and terrorism. Every two years, the Olympic Games and their exposure to the media give unknown athletes the chance to achieve national fame and, in special cases, international fame. The Games are also an important opportunity for the city and the country to promote themselves and show themselves to the world.