Special: Olympic sports originated in Britain

Rowers from Oxford University battle during the annual Oxford - Cambridge Boat Race on the River Thames in London on March 29, 2009. The boat race was listed as the formal event at the first Olympics in 1896, but it was cancelled due to bad weather before returning at the 1900 Olympics. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese water polo player He Jin, center, fights for a goal during the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai on July 29, 2011. Water polo originated in Britain in the mid 19th century. It was listed as a formal sporting Olympic event in 1900. [Photo/Xinhua]

A group of football players surround a camera in England in the file photo taken on Sept 16, 1937. Football originated in England. The Football Association (FA) was founded in 1863 in London. The beautiful game then became a formal event at the 1908 London Olympic Games. [Photo/Xinhua]

Athletes compete in a walking race at the Beijing Olympics on August 16, 2008. Race walking originated from Britain, with the first competition being held in 1867. The sport was first included as a formal Olympic event in 1908. [Photo/Xinhua]

A British hockey player, right, fights for a ball during a hockey game at the Beijing Olympics on August 13, 2008. Hockey originated from Britain in the early 19th century, and became a formal Olympic event at the London 1908 Olympics. [Photo/Xinhua]

British boxer James DeGale celebrates after winning at the Beijing Olympics on August 23, 2008. Modern boxing originated from Britain and was first included in the Olympics in 1920 as a formal event. [Photo/Xinhua]

British archer Alan Wills celebrates after defeating Italian Marco Galiazzo at the Beijing Olympics on August 13, 2008. Modern archery originated in Britain in the 14th century. It was listed as a formal event in the second, third, fourth and seventh Olympics Games but then excluded from the Olympics until 1972 when it returned as a formal event. [Photo/Xinhua]

British table tennis player Diane Rowe returns a ball during the 25th World Table Tennis Championships in 1959. Table tennis originated from Britain and it became a formal Olympic event in Seoul 1988 Olympics. [Photo/Xinhua]

An English player is awarded by the official of Badminton England in All England Open Badminton Championship 1982 in London. The badminton originated from England in 1873. The first badminton association was established in Britain in 1893 and since then the sport has started spreading to rest of the world. It was brought into Olympics as the formal event in Seoul 1992 Olympics. [Photo/Xinhua]