Bucket List / Experience Goals
Attend The Olympics
Ticked off in August 2012
Be in the stadium when a lifetime of training comes down to ten seconds and the whole crowd rises at once.
The adventure
The Olympics feels different the moment you arrive. Fans from every corner of the world fill the trains with flags, painted faces and accents, and the host city turns itself into a festival for two and a half weeks. Even early-morning heats in obscure sports have an atmosphere, because everyone knows they're watching athletes who have trained four years or more for this one chance.
Then come the moments that stay with you for good. A packed stadium falls silent for the start of the 100 metres final, then erupts as the runners cross the line in under ten seconds. A home athlete comes from behind on the final lap and the noise becomes physical. Medal ceremonies, anthems and tearful champions follow, and you realise you were there for a chapter of sporting history.
The modern Games began in Athens in 1896, inspired by the ancient Olympics held at Olympia in Greece. That first time, 241 athletes from 14 nations competed in 43 events. Today the Summer and Winter Games alternate, two years apart.
Why it’s epic
- Over 10,000 athletes from more than 200 nations competing at the Summer Games.
- Moments like the 100 metres final, the marathon or a medal ceremony for your own country.
- The next Summer Games are Los Angeles 2028, followed by Brisbane 2032.
- Free events such as road cycling, the marathon and triathlon, which can be watched from the roadside.
What it is
Attending the Olympic Games means seeing the world's best athletes.
How to do it
Tickets go on sale through official channels around a year ahead.
Top tip
Less popular sports have cheaper and easier tickets.
Need to know
- Tickets are sold through the official organising committee and authorised resellers, usually with a registration or ballot first.
- Finals for popular sports sell out fast, while early rounds and less popular sports are cheaper and easier to get.
- Book accommodation as soon as you have tickets, because host-city prices rise sharply.
Do it yourself
- HotelsBooking.com
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Adventure travel insuranceWorld NomadsWe receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
My experience
Ticked off, but the full story is still to be written up.
Over to you
Is “Attend The Olympics” on your bucket list, or have you already done it? Tell me in the comments, and if you've got a question about it, ask away and I'll answer.