Office Olympics

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Office Olympics is the third episode of The Office’s second season (the ninth episode overall). It aired on October 4, 2005, was written by Michael Schur, and directed by Paul Feig. Nancy Carell guest stars as Carol Stills.

Plot summary:
- Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute leave the office to sign papers for Michael’s condo.
- Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly organize office games for the staff.
- Games include Flonkerton (racing with cartons of paper on your feet), a mug-walk race, and Kevin and Oscar’s paper football game called “Hateball.”
- The employees compete for homemade medals made from yogurt lids and paper clips. Angela Martin jokes about a rival game called “Pam-Pong.”
- Jim and Pam host a closing ceremony. Michael, who has signed the condo deal, is awarded a gold medal and feels reassured. Ryan Howard even tosses his medal aside in front of Pam at one point.

Cast notes and behind-the-scenes:
- Mose, Dwight’s Amish cousin, appears, played by writer Mike Schur.
- The episode’s idea came from King of the Hill’s Office Olympics, and after it aired, some real offices held their own Office Olympics.

Production trivia (short):
- This was Paul Feig’s first episode directing The Office.
- The episode includes references to Risky Business and features a scene with John Williams’ Olympic music and a final rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.
- The “Yogurt Lid Medals” later show up again in a later episode.

Reception:
- Viewership was about 8.3 million, with a 3.9 rating among 18–49-year-olds.
- An encore broadcast drew over 4.3 million viewers.
- Critics gave positive reviews, praising how the two storylines intercut well and noting Dwight’s over-the-top humor as a standout.