Has it really been four years since Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps shook the world in Beijing? If London 2012 is even half as exciting as the last Olympic Games we’re going to be in for quite a treat.

But as good as the games are they have become a little bit predictable. I mean the programme hasn’t really changed very much for 60 years. Sure a few new sports have been added, like BMX riding, but the core structure remains unaltered.

You might be surprised to learn that it hasn’t always been like this. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) used to love tinkering with the line-up and were constantly adding new sports and dropping others.

The golden age for experimentation was without doubt the years that led up to the Second World War. It was a time when medals could be won on the croquet lawn, or on a bicycle made for two! This is what we all want to see at Rio 2016, right?

This infographic has been created by Find Me A Gift, where the gifts on offer are every bit as exciting as the Olympic Games.