There are as many different types of websites as there are people. They can be categorized though into similar "types". Many websites are commercial ventures. Others are personal pages. Some represent non-profit organizations, while others are education focused. A unique kind of website focuses on major Events. A virtual time capsule, if you will, of a particular event or point in history. The Olympics is one such event that people around the world pay attention to. After all, they represent our species at their physical finest.

Before the advent of the personal computer we had to see the Olympics in one of two ways. We could attend in person or watch events on TV. We could also read about it in the paper or magazines. Computers have made it easier for us to read and watch the highlights of the Olympics at our leisure. Afterwards, the websites that are devoted to the Olympics remain an easily accessed recorded history of the event. This year, the first Olympics of the 21st Century is presented on a number of different sites. All present the same topic but in a variety of creative ways. Let´s take a look at some of them.


Official Sites


The site of the International Olympic Committee is a perfect example of how well thought out web design can represent an athletic event like the Olympics. The front interface presents links to several different Olympic themes in a column based design. A small animated strip of Flash provides further visual appeal that speaks of action and quickness. Sky blue and white contrast nicely with carefully colored icons to present a visually appealing front page. This site shows excellent use of design, layout, navigation, quickly loading graphics and metaphoric appeal.


The Official Site of the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games is presented in the same blue, red and white tones as the International site, and looks quite similar to the official site. This site was also designed using a tables format which presents the information in rows and columns with a small frame at the bottom of the screen. Again, Flash animation is used to give the site an active feel. Several interactive sections are included: a videocam page, free email, the latest news and updates, information on Sydney accomodations and activities, online Olympic shopping, chatboards, clubs, auctions and kid´s stuff. This site is well laid out as far as navigation goes, but is a bit longer to download and requires that the viewer scroll down to read the whole page. Still, they present alot of information and viewing links in a small space.

The AMP Torch Relay site officially represents the Torino 2006 Olympic Torch Relay. The traditional torch passing has been a part of the Olympics since ancient Greece. The designers of this site started with the same white and blue background highlighted with a picture of Olympian women dressed in traditional ancient Roman-Greco flowing gowns, lighting the torch in a very ceremonious way.

Auxilary Sites

A second official Torino Olympic site is located at Torino 2006 in a strongly colored design of red, pink, orange, black, and mustard yellow. The site grabs your visual attention, and again presents the many features and content within a table organized layout.


Following the Olympics online gives designers an opportunity to study the practice of presenting major Events in a web environment. The basic principles of good layout, design, navigation, download time and graphic visual appeal can be studied for both effect and efficiency. As you engage in the upcoming Olympic spirit, why not check out the online offerings? There´s lots out there. The above mentioned sites are just the tip of the virtual Olympic iceberg!