How many years between the Olympics?

Answer 1

Possible answers...

1) None. An Olympiad is a period of four years, each one following immediately after the one before. 2008-2011 is the 29th Olympiad. 2012-2015 will be the 30th (of the modern era).

2) One. The Olympian Games are held annually at Much Wenlock in Shropshire, and have been since 1850 (providing considerable inspiration for Coubertin's more famous revival in 1896); and the Olimpick Games have been held annually (with a few large gaps) since about 1610, at Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire.

3) Two. The Summer and Winter Olympic Games now alternate, so that there are some Olympic Games every two years.

Also, a (Summer) games very Olympic in character but not recognised by the IOC was held in Athens in 1906, two years after St Louis 1904 and London 1908.

4) Four. Between each Celebration of the Summer Games there are four years, which is why Beijing 2008 will be followed by London 2012. Similarly the Winter Games at Turin in 2006 will be followed by Vancouver 2010.

5) Hundreds. Between the last of the Classical Games in about 400 AD and the modern revivals.

Note that the spelling of Olympiad, Olympian, Olimpick and Olympic is significant. "Olypic," as in the question, is not a word I recognise.