mineistaken:
Looks like no one's answered your question about "non-medal events". Most of the events do award Gold/Silver/Bronze, but there are some events that are considered "exhibition events", or Demonstrations. Some sports that start out as exhibition events end up as full-out Olympic sports. Sometimes not, though.
The winners do receive medals, which are smaller than the ones athletes win in the traditional Olympic events. But these are not counted in the athlete's country's medal count, as they're not "official"
Hope this helps!
And am I the only one who's really upset that the Women's Beach Volleyball uniforms are what they are this year? BRING ON THE SKIN!
~Emily