New to Sports

The idea of paddling a canoe or kayak through calm water seems relaxing, but for these athletes the competition is intense and exhausting.

Instead of slaloming down an icy ski slope, these athletes twist and turn on canoes and kayaks through 300 metres of white water rapids.

Track Cycling, which includes five different events on a 250-metre track, became an Olympic sport during the first modern Games in 1896.

Road cycling, part of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, involves racing on a course including tough climbs and fast descents.

Fencers spar in bouts, scoring hits with the blades three different types of swords. The goal is to hit without being hit.

Fractions of seconds can determine a winner in this Olympic favourite, with individual and relay races covering all four strokes.

Formerly called water ballet, synchronised swimming requires artistic expression, strength, flexibility and incredible lung capacity.

Swimmers leave the safety of the pool to race over 10 kilometres in fiercely competitive open water where positioning becomes vital.

In this fierce contact aquatic sport, teams try to outscore their opponent without touching the bottom of the pool.

Many archers inhale when they draw the arrow and hold their breath until the shot is fired, but conditions can really influence results.