Ian Thorpe – Thorpedo/Thorpey- has won six gold medals in one World Championships. (Imagine that!)

But back in 1896, the swimming events were held in the Bay of Zea in the Aegean Sea. It was swimming "against the towering twelve-foot waves and the terribly cold water" as described by the gold medalist, Guttman.

Some facts:

>The participation of women was first seen in 1900, in Paris, France.

>The Ethiopian Abebe Bikila, who decided to run barefoot, won the gold medal in marathon in Rome, Italy, in 1960 and also during that year

>Cassius Clay a.k.a Muhammad Ali of the US won the gold medal in light heavyweight boxing.