What is the difference between a world championship and the olympics??

Question

What is the difference between a world championship and the olympics??

Answer 1

world championships happen every year, olympics is only once every 4 years

Answer 2

World = 1

olympida translated from greek = 4 years (literally)

Answer 3

The Olympics are *supposed* to be amateur atheltes only.  It used to be that way.

World championships imply professional atheltes.

But consider the confusing case of hockey:

- NHL players have been in the Olympic hockey tournaments for years

- NHL players have played for their country in non-Olympic "world championships"

- the Stanley Cup is recognized as the holy grail of hockey, as the NHL has all of the world's best hockey players.

- some NHL players gave up a chance to play in the Olympics because they wanted to focus on winning the Stanley Cup more than win an Olympic gold medal

You can get a good debate going as to what represents a true world championship in hockey

Answer 4

The world championships happen ever year during non-Olympic years.  The Olympics are for all sports, where each sport has its own championship which is govern by the sport's official governing body.  IOC oversees the Olympics but uses the rules of each sport's governing for rules or other judgements.