4) I'd say hockey; the Canadians *probably* won the first Olympic hockey gold medal, as well as most of them since. If not -- figure skating? Almost undoubtedly a winter sport for their first gold (although Canada has won a respectable share of summer medals over the years.)
Not-so-easy:
3) No idea, but winning over 6 Olympiads -- 24 years -- would be near-impossible in a sport requiring peak "youthful" physical condition, like swimming or track-and-field/athletics. Would have to be someone in shooting, equestrian, perhaps yachting -- or *maybe* a strenuous sport requiring strength but not necessarily speed and endurance, like weightlifting, wrestling, etc. I suppose that many of these questions regarding most-years, most-medals, etc., can be answered only by those with knowledge of these less athletic and generally less-widely-followed sports. However, I'm prepared to be surprised by this answer, and perhaps proven wrong.
4) I'd guess Australia or (2d guess) Finland. If the question specified Summer Olympics only, I'd be pretty sure of Australia, but including the Winter Games might make for a different answer. Many of the greatest powers in winter sports are nations with relatively small populations. Because of Finland's great distance-running *and* ski-jumping traditions, perhaps they've won enough, summer and winter, to earn this distinction.
7) American speed skater/bicycle racer Bonnie [forgot last name!!]
8) They are three male American bobsledders, if I'm not mistaken. The grandson's win was a big story here in the US during the last Winter Games, but I have no idea of the names.
10) Easy, you say? I'd *guess* the Connollys, back in the 1950s. Husband was an American hammer-thrower, wife was a shotputter, originally a medal winner for Czechoslovakia under her maiden name, who returned to the Olympics as American citizen Mrs. Connolly.
11) My guess: India
12) Prince Rainier of Monoco (?)
Don:
Jesse Owens was a great Olympian who not only performed under pressure in historically important circumstances, but also won about as many medals as possible (a) in track and field and (b) in one Olympiad. However, I would be surprised to see his name as the answer to any of these questions, because (a) several other sports offer more medal opportunities per individual, and (b) Jesse only competed in one Olympiad.
Wolfgang:
Good intriguing quiz, very tough. I'm intrigued that you included a question to which you admit not knowing the answer ("Easy Warmups"/Australia-New Zealand). I'm counting on you to know all the other answers!
Why not reveal the answers when the '04 Games *begin* rather than waiting until they end? That will give us almost a week to guess and wait, which should be long enough!