Athens 1896 - Olympic Games Winners

Start:

06 Apr 1896

End:

15 Apr 1896

Countries:

Athletes:

241

Sports:

Events:

City:

Athens, Greece

The first modern Olympic Games were revived as international competitions at the International Olympic Committee's first session in June 1894.
A French enthusiast of the Olympic Movement, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, became the IOC's first president.
Athens, the capital of Greece, was selected to host the first Olympic Games of a new era.

His Majesty, King George I of Greece, officially opened the first modern Olympic Games at the newly reconstructed Panathenaic Stadium, made of white Attic marble with a capacity of 80 thousand people.
Only men took part in the competitions. James CONNOLLY from the USA won the triple jump and became the first Olympic champion of a new era.
Some athletes competed in several sports. For example, German athlete Karl SCHUMANN won four gold medals in Gymnastics and Wrestling.
Two more German athletes, Hermann WEINGARTNER, with three gold, two silver and one bronze, and Alfred FLATOW, with three gold and one bronze medal, dominated in Gymnastics.
The French athlete Paul MASSON won three gold medals in Cycling.
The award ceremony took place on the last day of the Games. According to the ancient tradition, a laurel wreath was placed on the head of the winner, and he had received an olive branch from a sacred grove at Olympia, a medal, and a diploma.
Since 1896, the national anthems in honor of the winner have been played, and national flags have been raised.