When exactly did the Olympic ‘shin kicking’ event get banned? Weighing in at four stone, how tall was the smallest ever Olympic competitor? How did the original Olympians deal with the first instance of cheating way back in 388bc? From their origins in ancient Greece to the most famous Olympic medalists, the book covers a range of enticing trivia for every sport lover to enjoy.

 Amazing & Extraordinary Facts: Olympics (ISBN 9781446302019; RRP £9.99) reveals the beguiling stories behind the history of the Games.  Discover the athletes who have set the marks for modern sporting excellence, and wonder at the records set by competitors across the years. Brief, accessible and entertaining pieces on a wide variety of subjects makes it the perfect book to dip into.

Author Stephen Halliday strides through a variety of sources to bring some truly extraordinary Olympic tidbits to light. A regular contributor to the Times Literary Review, BBC History and History Today, he is a leading authority on London, bringing his enthusiasm to the subject on the eve of the historic games.

The Amazing & Extraordinary Facts series presents interesting, surprising and little-known facts and stories about a wide range of topics which are guaranteed to inform, absorb and entertain in equal measure.

Amazing & Extraordinary Facts: Olympics (ISBN: 978446301944; RRP £9.99) is available March 2012 from David and Charles publishers.

For further information including extracts, review copies, or interviews please contact Crystal Carter, FW Media Publicity, on 01626 323214 or email crystal.carter@fwmedia.com.