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The Olympics

In Focus

Harvard and the Olympics

This year in Tokyo, we add to a history with the Olympics that dates back to 1896 when seven members of the Harvard community brought home eight gold medals.

Qualifying in the time of COVID

What does it take to be an Olympian in the middle of a global pandemic?

Learn more about Harvard’s response to COVID

Our Olympic history

Harvard has played an integral role in the Olympics, Paralympics, and Special Olympics for over a century.

See the full list of competitors at Harvard University Athletics


Harvard's hockey heros
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Striving for Olympic glory

The 2014 U.S. Olympic women’s hockey squad was coached by Harvard coach Katey Stone and included three Harvard students and a Harvard alum.

Read more on The Harvard Gazette

A Conversation with Olympic Medalist Michelle Kwan & Special Olympics Medalist Melissa Reilly
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A special anniversary

Since its founding in 1968, the Special Olympics has grown to a global movement that empowers people with intellectual disabilities through sports, education, and health programs. In 2018, the Harvard Law School Project on Disability helped celebrate the 50th anniversary.

Read more at the Law School

Learning from the Olympics

The impact of the Olympics beyond triumphs of physical prowess.

Two men showing the Black power fist on the olympic podiums

Political statements and the Olympics

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A golden opportunity to advocate for the rights of children with disabilities

A child sitting on the edge of a pool
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Give her some space

Psychologist’s perspective on Simone Biles at the Olympics includes message for parents, coaches.

Simone Biles
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Rethinking Olympic glory

Experts discuss ways to improve the Olympics for the host countries and the athletes.

A professor talking in front of a podium
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Competitive edge

Practice might get you to the Olympics, but mental preparation may be what puts you on the podium.

A man skiing
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Empty monuments

Kaz Yoneda’s research on Olympic stadiums considers the future of cities.

An olympics stadium
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AstrOlympics

The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian created the AstrOlympics project to help explore the spectacular range of science that we can find both in the impressive feats of the Olympic Games as well as cosmic phenomena throughout the Universe.

Explore the project