Football is not part of the olympics

How can an olympic sport be played/undertaken before the olympic starting ceremony? Its not even in London!

Most Olympics aren't based in one city/state or in some cases country, I'm pretty sure some of Beijing took place in Hong Kong sailing or water sorts event carried at that far I think.

Fair enough, but how can a sport that belongs to the games go ahead before the start of the games. It's like starting school during the 6 weeks holidays, it hasn't started.

Another sport or two start tomorrow as far as I know I think it's as there are so many teams/rounds in some events that they won't get them done during the 2 weeks or the grounds are needed for something else.

They've got a choice to either start before the opening ceremony, or finish after the closing ceremony.

It's the sensible option. The football always starts before the open ceremony, and it's generally held in stadiums not just limited to the host city.

oh dear.. life isnt so black and white mate

TheMackemMawler wrote:Fair enough, but how can a sport that belongs to the games go ahead before the start of the games. It's like starting school during the 6 weeks holidays, it hasn't started.

Starting an event early is allowed by the Olympic Charter.

Where an event is likely to take longer to complete than the period of the Games between opening and closing ceremonies then it is considered preferable to start earlier than to finish later.

Players need a minimum of two days rest between matches and if the football tournament kicked off after the opening ceremony, it would not be possible to complete the tournament before the closing ceremony.

The Olympic Charter states that all medals must be presented before the closing ceremony so the tournament cannot extend beyond that time. Ergo, it is necessary to start early.

The football tournaments at Sydney, Athens and Beijing kicked off early and those are three that I know of. It probably happened at other Games before, too.

.