First, I would like to thank all my dedicated readers and supporters over the past year of Gamer's Lounge. I would also like to thank THE STAR for its continuous efforts to push me beyond my limits.

Olympics

Started in April 15, 1896 and officially known as the Games of the Ist Olympiad, the Olympics was an international multi-sport event which was held in Athens, Greece. It was unanimously chosen as the host city during a congress organised by Pierre de Coubertin, a French pedagogue and historian, in Paris, on June 23, 1894. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was also established during this congress. It is now the biggest show on earth with about 255 countries participating.

'Olympic' video games

Back then, the only way someone could be a part of the Olympics was to participate in an event or travel around the world to watch. Now, you have video games, making you run as fast as 'Lightning Bolt' or be as disappointed as 'Mr Powell'. Whichever one you choose, you can change history in your own little world of the Olympics. The first arcade version came out in 1983 and was called Track and Field. Since then, numerous titles have been released. But it was not until 1992 when the IOC licensed Olympic Gold the official video game of the XXV Olympic Summer Games, hosted by Barcelona, Spain, in 1992. It was released for the Sega consoles, Mega Drive/Genesis and Master System, and Sega's handheld, Game Gear. It also was sponsored by Coca-Cola, and the game featured the company's logo on a zeppelin above the scoreboard and also the company's jingle. Many more games came out after that, and at regular intervals. In 2004, though, Athens for the PS2, showed 3D technology and frame rate accuracy like no other and sold millions worldwide. Now we have Beijing 2008 for the X-box 360 from Sega, carrying the game to the next level. But just like Bolt breaking the record for Puma in sneaker sales of 2 million pairs in one hour, only time will tell if the Olympics will sell Beijing 2008.

Official games

Barcelona 1992 - Olympic Gold by US Gold

Lillehammer 1994 - Winter Olympics: Lillehammer 1994 by US Gold

Atlanta 1996 - Olympic Summer Games by US Gold

Nagano 1998 - Nagano Winter Olympics 1998 by Konami

Sydney 2000 - Sydney 2000 by ATD

Salt Lake City 2002 - Salt Lake 2002 by ATD

Athens 2004 - Athens 2004 by Eurocom Entertainment Software

Turin 2006 - Torino 2006 by 2K Sports

Beijing 2008 - Beijing 2008 by Sega.

Did you know?

1. For more cheat codes go to www.gameyaad.com.

2. GTA IV has sold 1,069,106 copies for X-box 360 to date.

3. GTA IV has sold 679,395 copies for X-box 360 to date.

GameYaad.com

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