The consonant names "Olympiad" and "Universiade" are sometimes confused. But is there really a big difference between them, or are they still close concepts? And if the terms are completely different, then how is the Universiade different from the Olympics? Let's figure it out!
Definitions
The Olympics is the largest sports a global event. Participants from almost all countries come to it to compete and identify the best. The tradition of holding the Olympic Games came to us from Ancient Greece, where they were first held in 776 BC. NS. But in the modern version, the competition has been held since the end of the 19th century.
The Universiade is a competition of athletes-students from all over the world. It is much younger, it took place for the first time in 1923. And the name itself was formed by combining parts of the words "university" and "Olympiad".
Both types of sports are summer and winter.
Comparison
The main difference between the Universiade and the Olympics is that only active students, graduates of the previous year and graduate students participate in the first. At the same time, the age is limited to the range of 17-28 years. The Olympic Games accept participants of different ages, which the National Committee of each country considers possible to declare.
The Winter and Summer Universiades are held in the same year, but in different locations. Their frequency is 2 years. Winter and Summer Olympics alternate. For example, in 2012 the Summer Olympic Games were held, and in 2014 - the Winter ones. Thus, the frequency of each is 4 years.
For the recognition of any kind of sport as Olympic, a number of requirements must be met. At present, the program of summer games includes 41, and winter - 15 disciplines. In addition to them, the organizing committee of the host country has the right to include another 1-2 demonstration sports. The program of each Universiade includes 8 compulsory disciplines, which, unlike the Olympic ones, do not remain unchanged. They are approved before the procedure for selecting the host for the next competition. In addition to compulsory disciplines, the host country of the Universiade can add up to 3 more exemplary disciplines.
The Olympiad is a larger-scale competition with a large number of disciplines, and therefore its duration is on average from 16 to 18 days. The period of the Universiade is limited to 10-12 days.
Table
What is the difference between the Universiade and the Olympics, the table will once again clearly show.
| Universiade | Olympiad |
| 2 years | Held every 4 years |
| Students 17-28 years old can participate | Athletes of any age can participate |
| 8 compulsory disciplines, up to 3 indicative | 15 disciplines for winter and 41 for summer games, 1-2 indicative |
| which of the possible disciplines will be included in the eight compulsory | Compulsory disciplines are unchanged |
| Duration 10-12 days | Duration 16-18 days |
