Sports Facts for Kids

Basketball backboards were originally added to stop fans in the balcony from interfering with shots.

The first Olympic swimming events in 1896 were held in the open sea in the Bay of Zea in Greece.

Chess is officially recognised as a sport by the International Olympic Committee.

NFL players were not required to wear helmets until 1939.

Serena Williams won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era of tennis.

A soccer field is called a "pitch" because early games were played on cricket pitches.

The first high five in sports history happened on October 2, 1977, between two baseball players on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Golf does not stand for "Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden" — that's a myth. The word likely comes from the old Scots word "golve" meaning to strike.

Modern running shoes are designed with foam that acts like tiny springs to return energy with each step.

NBA players run an average of about 2.5 miles per game.