In 124 years, from their revival by Pierre de Coubertin until this week’s decision to postpone the Olympic Games in Tokyo from 2020 to 2021, the Olympic Games had never been postponed. But the 20th century’s two world wars led several editions to be cancelled. Let’s take a look at the Games that were caught in the upheavals of modern history.

Athletes from across the world have been using social media to send messages of hope and support during this difficult time. Here are some of the latest posts from your favourite sportspeople, complete with helpful tips on how everyone can help tackle the spread of the COVID-19 illness.

Olympic.org picks out some of the most impressive performances from former Youth Olympic Games (YOG) athletes in recent weeks, as the YOG continue to provide a springboard to the global sporting stage.

At the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Yuzuru Hanyu wowed the spectators in the Iceberg Skating Palace – and the millions watching on TV – with his short programme routine, which saw him become the first figure skater in history to break the 100-point barrier in this event. He went on to win the Olympic title on 14 February and shot to stardom. This was just the beginning of a career that has made him one of the greatest figure skaters of all time.

It’s certainly some record. Armin Zöggeler competed in luge at every Winter Games edition from 1994 to 2014: Lillehammer, Nagano, Salt Lake City, Turin, Vancouver and Sochi. And he took home a medal from each, including two golds. On 9 February 2014, at the Sanki Sliding Centre, the 40-year-old won bronze to make history with his sixth consecutive medal.

Olympic fans were able to watch solo bobsleigh at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Lillehammer 2016 and Lausanne 2020. The women’s event is now on the programme of the Winter Games in Beijing in 2022, and unlike other bobsleigh events, the athletes use a bob that is identical to those of all their competitors, giving pride of place to the driving, with the value of the equipment having no bearing.