The smallest country to host the Olympic Games is Monaco, with a land area of just 1.95 square kilometers.
Monaco's Olympic History
- Summer Olympics: Monaco hosted the Summer Olympics in 1992, sharing the event with Barcelona, Spain.
- Winter Olympics: Monaco has never hosted the Winter Olympics.
Other Small Countries Hosting the Olympics
While Monaco is the smallest country to host the Olympics, other small countries have also held the Games:
- Andorra: This micro-state, with a land area of 468 square kilometers, co-hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics with Spain.
- Luxembourg: This country, with a land area of 2,586 square kilometers, hosted the 1967 European Athletics Championships. While not an Olympic event, this demonstrates its ability to host major sporting events.
Factors to Consider
- Infrastructure: Hosting the Olympics requires significant infrastructure, including stadiums, accommodation, transportation, and security.
- Funding: The cost of hosting the Olympics can be substantial.
- Political Will: A country's government must be committed to hosting the Games.