On This Day in History

The 1896 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the I Olympiad or the first modern olympics were held in Athens, Greece, from April 6 to April 15, 1896.

The Games had the largest international participation of any sporting event to that date. Panathinaiko Stadium, the first big stadium in the modern world, overflowed with the largest crowd ever to watch a sporting event. The most successful competitor of 1896 was German wrestler and gymnast Carl Schuhmann, who won four gold medals.

Events at the first modern Olympics included cycling, fencing, gymnastics, shooting, swimming (held in the open ocean because the organizers had refused to spend the money for a specially constructed stadium), tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling.

The first place winners in each event received silver medals, an olive branch and a diploma. Athletes who placed second received copper medals, a branch of laurel and a diploma. Third place winners did not receive a medal.

The concept of national teams was not a major part of the Olympic movement until 10 years later. As such, there is some conflict with regard to which nations competed. The following 14 are most likely to have been recognized by the Olympic Committee: Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States.

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