Olympics and Olympics: that's the difference

The terms Olympic Games and the Olympics are often mixed up. However, the difference is explained quite simply.

The difference between Olympics and Olympics

The term "Olympics" is often mistakenly equated with the Olympic Games. There is a big difference between the two terms.

• Many people use both terms when talking about the Olympic Games. This is wrong because the words describe different time spans.
• The Olympic Games “only” denote the time of the Olympic Games, here both the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics.
• In contrast, the Olympiad refers to the time between two Olympic Games. The Olympics always last four years. There are always four years between the Summer Olympics, and between the Winter Olympics.
• Incidentally, the Olympic Winter Games have only been held as separate Olympic Games since 1924.