Are Some of These Olympic Events Sports?

I have been watching the Olympics for almost a week now!  I love the games! However, I question some of the sports. 

When I think of sports I think about the gymnastics, diving, swimming, running, sports that are main stream, not sports like the Canoe Slalom or Handball!  If Rugby is played in the Olympics why don't we have American Football? Although they do call Soccer Football in other country's.

I guess that's what makes the Olympics so great, the fact that we get to see these "athletes" show their talents in sports that we may never heard of!  Now I'm off to watch the Badminton, it is mesmerizing!