Games of the I Olympiad
Host city	Athens, Greece
Nations participating	14[1]
Athletes participating	241[2]
Events	43 in 9 sports
Opening ceremony	Monday, April 6, 1896[3]
Closing ceremony	Wednesday, 15 April 1896
Officially opened by	George I of Greece
Stadium	Panathinaiko Stadium

The 1896 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the I Olympiad, were held in 1896 in Athens, Greece. These games were the first modern Summer Olympic Games and the first Games since Roman emperor Theodosius I banned the Ancient Olympic Games in 393 as part of the Christian campaign against paganism. They were held between Monday, April 6 and Wednesday, April 15 1896. Image File history File links Cover of the official report of 1896 Athens Summer Olympics. ... Athens (Greek: Αθήνα, Athína IPA: ) is the capital of Greece and one of the most famous cities in the world, named after goddess Athena. ... April 6 is the 96th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (97th in leap years). ... 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... April 15 is the 105th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (106th in leap years). ... 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... George I (December 24, 1845 – March 18, 1913) was King of the Hellenes (Greece) from 1863 to 1913. ... The Olympiako Stadio Athinas Spyros Louis in Athens, used in the 2004 Summer Olympics. ... The Panathinaiko Stadium Archery matches in progress at the Panathinaiko Stadium during the 2004 Athens Olympics Panathinaiko Stadium (also known as the Kallimarmaron, i. ... 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Athens (Greek: Αθήνα, Athína IPA: ) is the capital of Greece and one of the most famous cities in the world, named after goddess Athena. ... Poster for the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. ... Octavian, widely known as Augustus, founder of the Roman empire The Roman Empire was a phase of the ancient Roman civilization characterized by an autocratic form of government. ... On the reverse of this coin minted under Valentinian II, both Valentinian and Theodosius are depicted with halos. ... Ruins of the training grounds at Olympia The Ancient Olympic Games were an athletic and religious celebration held in the Greek town of Olympia from (historically) as early as 776 BC to 393 AD. There were 292 Ancient Olympic Games. ... Events Gao Zu succeeds Tai Zu as Emperor of the Later Qin Empire in China. ... Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on Jesus of Nazareth, and on his life and teachings as presented in the New Testament. ... Paganism (from Latin paganus, meaning a country dweller or civilian) is a blanket term which has come to connote a broad set of spiritual or religious beliefs and practices of natural or polytheistic religions, as opposed to the Abrahamic monotheistic religions. ... April 6 is the 96th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (97th in leap years). ... April 15 is the 105th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (106th in leap years). ... 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

An 1894 congress organized by Pierre de Coubertin in Paris established the International Olympic Committee and appointed the Greek capital of Athens as the host city. The Greeks had little experience with organizing sports events, and initially had financial troubles as well, but managed to have everything ready in time. Baron Pierre de Coubertin Pierre de Coubertin (January 1, 1863 – September 2, 1937), born as Pierre de Frédy, was a French pedagogue and historian, but is best known as the founder of the modern Olympic Games. ... City flag City coat of arms Motto: Fluctuat nec mergitur Tossed by the waves, she does not founder Coordinates : , Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) Administration Subdivisions 20 arrondissements Département Paris (75) Région ÃŽle-de-France Mayor Bertrand Delanoë (PS) City (commune) Characteristics Land Area 86. ... Bold textralf is gay IOC redirects here. ... Athens (Greek: Αθήνα, Athína IPA: ) is the capital of Greece and one of the most famous cities in the world, named after goddess Athena. ...

Although the number of participating athletes was low by current standards, it had the largest international participation for any sports event to that date. In spite of the absence of many of the time's top athletes, the Games were a success with the Greek public. The athletic highlight for the Greeks was the marathon victory by their compatriot Spiridon Louis. The most successful competitor in terms of victories was German wrestler and gymnast Carl Schuhmann. Modern day marathon runners The word marathon refers to a long-distance road running event of 42. ... Spiridon Spiros Louis (January 12, 1873 – March 26, 1940) was a Greek water-carrier who won the marathon at the 1896 Summer Olympics, thereby becoming a national hero. ... Andrell Durden (top) and Edward Harris grapple for position during the All-Marine Wrestle Offs. ... Gymnastics is a sport involving the performance of sequences of movements requiring physical strength, flexibility, and kinesthetic awareness, such as handsprings, handstands, and forward rolls. ... Schuhmann (left) before the Olympic wrestling final, which he won. ...

After the Games, De Coubertin and the IOC were petitioned by, among others, Greece's King George and some of the American competitors in Athens to hold all following Games in Athens. However, the 1900 Summer Olympics were already planned for Paris and, barring the so-called Intercalated Games of 1906, the Olympics did not return to Greece until the 2004 Summer Olympics. George I (December 24, 1845 – March 18, 1913) was King of the Hellenes (Greece) from 1863 to 1913. ... The 1900 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the II Olympiad, were held in 1900 in Paris, France. ... The 1906 Summer Olympics, also called the 1906 Intercalated Games, were held in Athens, Greece. ... The 2004 Summer Olympicsor ´Welcome Home,Gamesor officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, were held in Athens, Greece, over a period of 17 days from August 13 to August 29, 2004. ...

Election as host city

During the 19th century, several minor sports festivals named after the Ancient Olympic Games were held in a few European countries. Pierre de Coubertin also had the idea to revive the Olympics, but as an international and multi-sport event. He presented his ideas at a 1894 congress held in the Sorbonne, Paris, with delegates from sports societies of 11 countries present. Ruins of the training grounds at Olympia The Ancient Olympic Games were an athletic and religious celebration held in the Greek town of Olympia from (historically) as early as 776 BC to 393 AD. There were 292 Ancient Olympic Games. ... World map showing Europe Political map Europe is one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiographic one, leading to various perspectives about Europes borders. ... Baron Pierre de Coubertin Pierre de Coubertin (January 1, 1863 – September 2, 1937), born as Pierre de Frédy, was a French pedagogue and historian, but is best known as the founder of the modern Olympic Games. ... The Sorbonne, Paris, in a 17th century engraving The historic University of Paris (French: Université de Paris) first appeared in the second half of the 12th century, but was in 1970 reorganized as 13 autonomous universities (University of Paris I–XIII). ... City flag City coat of arms Motto: Fluctuat nec mergitur Tossed by the waves, she does not founder Coordinates : , Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) Administration Subdivisions 20 arrondissements Département Paris (75) Région ÃŽle-de-France Mayor Bertrand Delanoë (PS) City (commune) Characteristics Land Area 86. ...

After it had been decided to revive the Olympics, a host city for these first Olympics had to be selected. De Coubertin's idea was to hold these concurrently with the Universal Exposition of 1900 in Paris. Concerned that a six-year waiting period might lessen the interest in the Olympics, the congress decided to hold the first Olympics in 1896. Several congress members suggested London as the location, but after a brief talk with Greek delegate Demetrius Vikelas De Coubertin put Athens forward as a possibility. Greece being the original home of the Olympics, the congress unanimously approved the proposal. Vikelas was elected as the first president of the newly established International Olympic Committee (IOC). A Worlds Fair is any of various large expositions held since the mid-19th century. ... London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom, and is the most populous city in the European Union. ... Demetrius Vikelas (February 15, 1835 – July 20, 1908) was the first president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 1894 to 1896. ... Athens (Greek: Αθήνα, Athína IPA: ) is the capital of Greece and one of the most famous cities in the world, named after goddess Athena. ... Bold textralf is gay IOC redirects here. ...

The true origin of the modern Olympics was acknowledged by De Coubertin as being in Much Wenlock, a rural market town in the English county of Shropshire. It was here that in 1850 the local doctor, William Penny Brooks, founded the Much Wenlock Olympics. The first games were held in October 1850. It was a mixture of events, including athletics and games such as cricket, football, quoits, and others. Much Wenlock is a town in Shropshire, England. ... Shropshire (abbreviated Salop or Shrops) is a traditional, ceremonial and administrative county in the West Midlands region of England. ... For the insect, see Cricket (insect). ... Football (soccer) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

Organization

The restoration of the Panathenaic Stadium, originally built in the fourth century BC, was funded by Georgios Averoff. The stadium was used again for the 2004 Summer Olympics.

The news that the Olympic Games would return to Greece was received favourably by the Greek public and media. However, the country was in financial troubles and was politically unstable, the job of prime minister alternating between Charilaos Trikoupis and Theodoros Deligiannis at a high frequency. In late 1894 the organizing committee, headed by Etienne Skouloudis, presented a report that the cost of the Games would be three times higher than originally estimated by De Coubertin. They concluded the Games could not be held, and offered their resignation. - Created by User:Jeronimo File links The following pages link to this file: 1896 Summer Olympics Panathinaiko Stadium Categories: Free use images ... - Created by User:Jeronimo File links The following pages link to this file: 1896 Summer Olympics Panathinaiko Stadium Categories: Free use images ... (5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - other centuries) (2nd millennium BC - 1st millennium BC - 1st millennium AD) Events Invasion of the Celts into Ireland Kingdom of Macedon conquers Persian empire Romans build first aqueduct Chinese use bellows The Scythians are beginning to be absorbed into the Sarmatian... The 2004 Summer Olympicsor ´Welcome Home,Gamesor officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, were held in Athens, Greece, over a period of 17 days from August 13 to August 29, 2004. ... Note on Greek names: There is no firm convention for the rendering of Greek personal names into English. ... Charilaos Trikoupis - Athens, Photographic Archive of Hellenic Literary and Historical Museum Charilaos Trikoupis (July 11, 1832 (O.S.) – 1896) was a Greek politician who served as a Prime Minister of Greece seven times from 1875 until 1895. ... Theodoros Deligiannis (in Greek: Θεόδωρος Δηλιγιάννης)(1820 - 13 June 1905) was a Greek statesman. ... Etienne Skouloudis was a Greek who served on the Organizing Committee for the 1896 Summer Olympics. ...

Greek crown prince Constantine, a supporter of the Games, decided to set up a new committee, with himself as the president. His enthusiasm sparked a wave of contributions from the Greek public, raising 330,000 drachmas. A special set of postage stamps raised a further 400,000, and ticket sales added 200,000 drachmas. At the request of Constantine, wealthy businessman George Averoff agreed to pay for the restoration of the Panathinaiko Stadium, which would eventually cost 920,000 drachmas. As a tribute to his generosity, a statue of Averoff was constructed and unveiled on 5 April outside of the stadium, where it still stands. Constantine I, King of the Hellenes (2 August 1868 - 11 January 1923), ruled Greece from 1913-1917 and from 1920-1922. ... Drachma, pl. ... George M. Averoff (1815-1899), alternately Georgios Averof, was a Greek businessman and philanthropist. ... The Panathinaiko Stadium Archery matches in progress at the Panathinaiko Stadium during the 2004 Athens Olympics Panathinaiko Stadium (also known as the Kallimarmaron, i. ... April 5 is the 95th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (96th in leap years). ...

Organized sports were relatively new to Greece, and as such the organizing committee had little experience in staging sports events. Their duties in this aspect were largely taken over by De Coubertin, who had to both elect the rules to follow and to invite athletes. Some of the athletes would take part in the Games because they happened to be in Athens at the time the Games were held, either on vacation or for work (e.g., some of the British competitors worked for the British embassy). The concept of a designated Olympic Village for the athletes would not appear until the 1932 Summer Olympics; the athletes had to care for their own lodging. Seal on the building of German Embassies. ... An Olympic Park is a venue or group of venues set up when a country hosts the Olympic Games. ... The 1932 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the X Olympiad, were held in 1932 in Los Angeles, California, United States. ...

Calendar

The renovated Panathinaiko Stadium At the 1896 Summer Olympics, twelve athletics events were contested. ... 100 metres final The mens 100 metres race was the first event run at the modern Olympics, on 6 April 1896. ... James B. Connolly won the triple jump and became the first Olympic Champion since the 4th century AD The mens triple jump was one of four jumping events on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens 800 metres race was the second-longest of the four flat-track events on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... Robert Garrett throwing the discus The mens discus throw was one of two throwing events on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens 400 metres race was the second-shortest of the flat-track events on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens 110 metre hurdles was the only hurdling event on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens long jump was one of four jumping events on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens 400 metres race was the second-shortest of the flat-track events on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens shot put was one of two throwing events on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens 1500 metres race, the longest flat-track race on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme, was the last event on 7 April. ... The mens 800 metres race was the second-longest of the four flat-track events on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... 100 metres final The mens 100 metres race was the first event run at the modern Olympics, on 6 April 1896. ... The mens high jump was one of four jumping events on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens 110 metre hurdles was the only hurdling event on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens pole vault was one of four jumping events on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... Marathon runners on the road to Athens The mens marathon event was a special race invented as part of the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... At the 1896 Summer Olympics, six cycling events were contested. ... At the 1896 Summer Olympics, three fencing events were contested. ... At the 1896 Summer Olympics, eight gymnastics events were contested. ... At the 1896 Summer Olympics, five shooting events were contested. ... At the 1896 Summer Olympics, four swimming events were contested. ... The mens 100 metre freestyle was one of the four swimming events on the Swimming at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens sailors 100 metre freestyle was one of the four swimming events on the Swimming at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens 500 metre freestyle was one of the four swimming events on the Swimming at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens 1200 metre freestyle was one of the four swimming events on the Swimming at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... At the 1896 Summer Olympics, two tennis events were contested. ... Singles final in 1896 Olympic tennis The mens singles was one of two tennis events on the Tennis at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... Singles final in 1896 Olympic tennis The mens singles was one of two tennis events on the Tennis at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... Singles final in 1896 Olympic tennis The mens singles was one of two tennis events on the Tennis at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens doubles was one of two tennis events on the Tennis at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... At the 1896 Summer Olympics, two weighlifting events were contested. ... At the 1896 Summer Olympics, one wrestling event was contested. ...

Opening ceremony

The opening ceremony in the Panathenaic Stadium

On 6 April, the Games of the First Olympiad were officially opened. It was Easter Monday for the Eastern Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches, and was also the anniversary of the outbreak of the war for Greek independence. Image File history File links From it: The opening ceremony of the 1896 Summer Olympics. ... Image File history File links From it: The opening ceremony of the 1896 Summer Olympics. ... April 6 is the 96th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (97th in leap years). ... Easter Monday is a holiday celebrated the next day after Easter Sunday in some largely Christian cultural traditions. ... Pentecost is considered in Eastern Orthodoxy to be the birth of the Church. ... Protestantism is one of three primary branches of Christianity. ... Combatants Greek revolutionaries, Great Britain, Russia, France Ottoman Empire, Egyptian troops Commanders Theodoros Kolokotronis, Alexander Ypsilanti Omer Vrionis, Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt. ...

The Panathenaic stadium was filled, with an estimated 80,000 spectators including King George I of Greece, his wife Olga, and their sons. Most of the competing athletes were aligned on the infield, grouped by nation. After a speech by the president of the organizing committee, Crown Prince Constantine, his father officially opened the Games: George I (December 24, 1845 – March 18, 1913) was King of the Hellenes (Greece) from 1863 to 1913. ... Olga, Queen of Greece Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Olga Konstantinovna of Russia (in Russian Великая Герцогиня Ольга Константиновна) (3 September 1851 - 18 June 1926) was the queen consort of King George I of Greece. ... Constantine I, King of the Hellenes (2 August 1868 - 11 January 1923), ruled Greece from 1913-1917 and from 1920-1922. ...

"I declare the opening of the first international Olympic Games in Athens. Long live the Nation. Long live the Greek people."

Afterwards, 9 bands and 150 choir singers performed the Olympic Hymn, composed by Spyros Samaras, with words by poet Kostis Palamas. The hymn was well received, and the crowd desired an encore. The Olympic Hymn, also known informally as the Olympic Anthem, is a musical piece composed by Spyros Samaras with words taken by a poem of the Greek poet and writer Kostis Palamas. ... Spyros Samaras (1861-1917) was a Greek composer. ... This article needs to be wikified. ...

The current Olympic opening ceremonies contain elements of this brief opening ceremony. The head of state of the organizing nation still officially opens the Games, and the Olympic Hymn (official since 1958) is still played. Other elements, such as the parade of nations, the lighting of the Olympic Flame and the Olympic Oath were initiated later. The Olympic Flame at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics The Olympic Flame, Olympic Fire, Olympic Torch, Olympic Light, Olympic Eye, and Olympic Sun is a symbol of the Olympic Games. ... The Olympic Oath is taken by an athlete and a judge at the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games. ...

Sport by sport overview

At the 1894 Sorbonne congress, a large roster of sports had been mentioned for the programme in Athens. The first edition of the official announcement featured sports such as football and cricket, but these plans were never carried out. Rowing was scheduled, but had to be cancelled due to strong winds on the planned day of competition. Yachting was cancelled too, because "we had no proper boats for this, nor did any foreign ones appear for the contest" (Official Report). Football (soccer) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... For the insect, see Cricket (insect). ... A coxless pair which is a sweep-oar boat. ... Yachting is a noncommercial boating activity. ...

Athletics

Main article: Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics

The athletics events had the most international field of any of the sports. The major highlight of the athletics programme, however, was the marathon held for the first time in international competition. Spiridon Louis, a previously unrenowned water carrier, won the event to become the only Greek athletics champion and a national hero. No world records were set, as few international top competitors had turned up. In addition, the curves of the track were very tight, making fast times in the running events virtually impossible. The renovated Panathinaiko Stadium At the 1896 Summer Olympics, twelve athletics events were contested. ... A womens 400 metre hurdles race on a typical outdoor red rubber track. ... Modern day marathon runners The word marathon refers to a long-distance road running event of 42. ... Spiridon Spiros Louis (January 12, 1873 – March 26, 1940) was a Greek water-carrier who won the marathon at the 1896 Summer Olympics, thereby becoming a national hero. ... A world record is the best performance in a certain discipline, usually a sports event. ...

Cycling

Main article: Cycling at the 1896 Summer Olympics

Between them, Frenchmen Léon Flameng (left) and Paul Masson won four cycling events.

The track cycling events were held at the newly built Neo Phaliron Velodrome. Only one road event was held, a race from Athens to Marathon and back (87 kilometres). At the 1896 Summer Olympics, six cycling events were contested. ... Image File history File links Paul Masson and Leon Flameng File links The following pages link to this file: 1896 Summer Olympics Cycling at the 1896 Summer Olympics Léon Flameng ... Image File history File links Paul Masson and Leon Flameng File links The following pages link to this file: 1896 Summer Olympics Cycling at the 1896 Summer Olympics Léon Flameng ... Track cycling is a bicycle racing sport usually held on specially-built banked tracks or velodromes (but many events are held at older velodromes where the track banking is relatively shallow) using track bicycles. ... The Neo Phaliron Velodrome was a velodrome and sporting arena in Athens, Greece used for the cycling events at the 1896 Summer Olympics. ...

Frenchman Paul Masson was the best cyclist on the track, winning the one lap time trial, the sprint event, and the 10,000 metres. In the 100 kilometres event, Masson entered as a pacemaker for his compatriot Léon Flameng. Flameng won the event, after a fall, and after stopping to wait for his Greek opponent Kolettis to fix a mechanical problem. The Austrian fencer Adolf Schmal won the 12 hours race, which was completed by only two cyclists, while the road race event was won by Aristidis Konstantinidis. Motto: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité (English: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity) Anthem: La Marseillaise Capital Paris 48°51′ N 2°20′ E Largest city Paris Official language French1 Government  â€¢ President  â€¢ Prime Minister Unitary republic Jacques Chirac Dominique de Villepin Formation 843 (Treaty of Verdun) (5th Republic: 1958) Accession to the EU 25 March... Masson, left, with teammate Flameng Paul Masson (1874 – 1945) was a French cyclist. ... In many racing sports an athlete (or occasionally a team of athletes) will compete in a time trial against the clock to secure the fastest time. ... Léon Flameng (1877 – 1917) was a French cyclist. ... Aristidis Konstantinidis was a Greek cyclist. ...

Fencing

Main article: Fencing at the 1896 Summer Olympics

Fencer Leonidas Pyrgos became the first Greek modern Olympic champion by winning the masters foil competition.

The fencing events were held in the Zappeion, named after Evangelos Zappas, who had organized Greek Olympic Games in the mid-19th century. Unlike other sports, professionals were allowed to compete in fencing. Unlike other professionals, these so-called fencing masters were considered gentlemen athletes, just as the amateurs. At the 1896 Summer Olympics, three fencing events were contested. ... Image File history File links From en:Image:Pyrgos. ... Image File history File links From en:Image:Pyrgos. ... The Zappeion was a sporting arena in Athens, Greece used for the fencing events at the 1896 Summer Olympics. ... Evangelos Zappas (1800–1865) was a Greek businessman and financier. ...

Four events were scheduled, but the épée event was cancelled for reasons unknown. The foil event was won by a Frenchman, Eugène-Henri Gravelotte, while the other two events, the sabre and the foil for masters, were won by Greek fencers. Leonidas Pyrgos, who won the latter event, became the first Greek to become Olympic champion in the modern era. An Épée fencer. ... Eugène-Henri Gravelotte (February 6, 1876 - August 28, 1939) was a French fencer. ... Leonidas Pyrgos. ...

Gymnastics

Main article: Gymnastics at the 1896 Summer Olympics

The German individual gymnastics champions: Schuhmann, Flatow, and Weingärtner

The gymnastics exercises were carried out on the infield of the Panathenaic Stadium. Germany had sent an 11-man team, which dominated and won 5 of the 8 events, including both team events. In the team event on the horizontal bar, the German team was unopposed. Three Germans added individual titles. Hermann Weingärtner, who also took two seconds and a third place, won the horizontal bar event, while Alfred Flatow won the parallel bars. Carl Schuhmann, who also competed successfully in wrestling, won the vault. At the 1896 Summer Olympics, eight gymnastics events were contested. ... Image File history File links Schuhmann Flatow Weingartner File links The following pages link to this file: 1896 Summer Olympics ... Image File history File links Schuhmann Flatow Weingartner File links The following pages link to this file: 1896 Summer Olympics ... This article needs to be wikified. ... Hermann Weingärtner was a German gymnast. ... Alfred Flatow (d. ... Two parallel bars form an artistic gymnastics apparatus only used by male gymnasts. ... Schuhmann (left) before the Olympic wrestling final, which he won. ... The vault, formerly known as vaulting horse, is an artistic gymnastics apparatus. ...

The remaining events were won by Louis Zutter, a Swiss gymnast who won the pommel horse, while Greeks Ioannis Mitropoulos and Nikolaos Andriakopoulos were victorious in the rings and rope climbing events, respectively. Louis Zutter was a Swiss gymnast. ... The pommel horse is an artistic gymnastics apparatus. ... Ioannis Mitropoulos was a Greek gymnast. ... Nikolaos Andriakopoulos was a Greek gymnast. ... The rings or still rings is an artistic gymnastics apparatus. ... Climbers on Valkyrie at the Roaches. ...

Shooting

Main article: Shooting at the 1896 Summer Olympics

Held at a shooting range at Kallithea, there were five shooting events—two rifle events and three pistol shooting competitions. At the 1896 Summer Olympics, five shooting events were contested. ... Photo 1: Kallithea on the simulated view of Greater Athens from above. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... A rifle is a firearm with a stock and a barrel that has a spiral groove or grooves (rifling) cut into its interior. ... A Browning 9 millimeter Hi-Power Ordnance pistol of the French Navy, 19th century, using a Percussion cap mechanism Derringers were small and easily hidden. ...

The first event, for military rifles over 200 metres, was won by Pantelis Karasevdas, the only competitor to hit the target with all of his shots. The second event, for military pistols, was dominated by two brothers, Americans John and Sumner Paine. In order to avoid embarrassing their hosts, the brothers decided that only one of them would compete in the next pistol event, the free pistol. Sumner Paine dominated that event alone, thereby becoming the first relative of an Olympic champion to become Olympic champion himself. Pantelis Karasevdas (1877 – 1946) was a Greek shooter. ... John Bryant Paine (April 8, 1870 – August 2, 1951) was an American shooter. ... Sumner Paine (13 May 1868 – 18 April 1904) was an American shooter. ...

The Paine brothers did not compete in the 25 metre pistol event, as their weapons were judged to be not of the required calibre. In their absence, Ioannis Phrangoudis won. Frangoudis also placed second in the final event, the free rifle, held on the same day. However, the event could not be completed due to darkness, and was completed on the next morning, when Georgios Orphanidis was celebrated as the champion. Ioannis Phrangoudis was a Greek shooter. ... Georgios Orphanidis (1859 – ?) was a Greek shooter. ...

Swimming

Main article: Swimming at the 1896 Summer Olympics

Alfréd Hajós, the first Olympic champion in swimming, is one of only two Olympians to have won medals in both sport and art competitions.

Unlike today, the 1896 swimming competitions were held at open sea. Nearly 20,000 spectators were noted to have watched the event, in the Bay of Zea, off the Piraeus coast. At the 1896 Summer Olympics, four swimming events were contested. ... Alfréd Hajós - The First Olympic Champion in Swimming. ... Alfréd Hajós - The First Olympic Champion in Swimming. ... View of Piraeus A night ferry about to leave the port of Piraeus for the Dodecanese Piraeus, or Peiraeus (Modern Greek: Πειραιάς Peiraiás or Pireás, Ancient Greek / Katharevousa: Πειραιεύς Pireéfs) is a city in the periphery of Attica, Greece, located south of Athens. ...

All four events were held on the same day (11 April). For Alfréd Hajós of Hungary, this meant he could only compete in two of the events, as they were held shortly after one another, giving him little time to recuperate. Nevertheless, he won the two events in which he swam, the 100 metres and the 1200 metres freestyle. Hajós later became one of only two Olympians to win a medal in both athletic and artistic competitions when he won a silver medal for architecture in 1924. April 11 is the 101st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (102nd in leap years). ... Alfréd Hajós (February 2, 1878 – November 12, 1955) was an Hungarian swimmer and architect. ... Freestyle is one of the official swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. However, it is technically not a style, as there are very few regulations about the way freestyle has to be swum. ... Art competitions were held from 1912 to 1948 at the Olympic Games. ...

The third event, the 500 metres freestyle, was won by Austrian swimmer Paul Neumann, beating his opponents by more than one-and-a-half minutes. In addition, a swimming event especially for Greek sailors was held. Paul Neumann (13 June 1875 – 9 February 1932) was an Austrian swimmer. ...

Tennis

Main article: Tennis at the 1896 Summer Olympics

Although tennis was already a major sport by the end of the 19th century, none of the top players turned up for the tournament in Athens, which was held at the courts of the Athens Lawn Tennis Club, and the infield of the velodrome. At the 1896 Summer Olympics, two tennis events were contested. ...

Irishman John Pius Boland, who was in Athens on holiday, had been entered in the competition by a Greek friend, and won relatively easily. In the first round, he defeated Friedrich Traun, a German who had been eliminated in the 800 m competition. They decided to team up for the doubles event, in which they reached the final and defeated their Greek and Egyptian opponents after losing the first set. John Mary Pius Boland (16 September 1870 – 17 March 1958) was an Irish politician, and the first Olympic champion in tennis. ...

Weightlifting

Main article: Weightlifting at the 1896 Summer Olympics

Launceston Elliot, winner of the one-armed weightlifting event, was popular with the Greek audience, who found him very handsome.

The sport of weightlifting was still very young in 1896, and the rules different from those in use today. Competitions were held outdoors, in the infield of the main stadium, and there were no weight limits. At the 1896 Summer Olympics, two weighlifting events were contested. ... Launceston Elloit, Olympic champion 1896, depicted on a 1910 (approx) Nickelodeon card. ... Launceston Elloit, Olympic champion 1896, depicted on a 1910 (approx) Nickelodeon card. ...

The first event was the two-handed event, held in a style now known as "clean and jerk". Two competitors stood out: Scotsman Launceston Elliot and Viggo Jensen of Denmark. Both of them lifted the same weight; but the jury, with Prince George as the chairman, ruled that Jensen had done so in a better style. The British delegation, unfamiliar with this tie-breaking rule, lodged a protest. The lifters were eventually allowed make further attempts, but neither lifter improved, and Jensen was declared the champion. The clean and jerk is one of two weightlifting events. ... Launceston Elliott in a postcard 1910 Launceston Elliott (June 9, 1874 - August 8, 1930) was a British weightlifter. ... Alexander Viggo Jensen (June 22, 1874 - November 2, 1930) was a Danish weightlifter and shooter. ... His Royal Highness Prince George of Greece and Denmark (24 June 1869, Corfu – 25 November 1957, St Cloud) was the third child of King George I of Greece and Grand Duchess Olga. ...

Elliot got his revenge in the single handed "snatch" event, which was held immediately after the two-handed one. Jensen had been slightly injured in his last two-handed attempt, and was no match for Elliot, who won the competition easily ahead of Jensen. The Greek audience was very charmed by the Scottish victor, whom they considered very attractive. Allegedly, he even received a marriage proposal from a "highly placed lady" in the audience. The snatch is one of the two major Olympic Weightlifting events. ...

Wrestling

Main article: Wrestling at the 1896 Summer Olympics

Schuhmann (left) and Georgios Tsitas shake hands before the final match of the wrestling competition.

No weight classes existed for the wrestling competition, held in the Panathenaic Stadium which meant that there would only be one winner among competitors of all sizes. The rules used were similar to modern Greco-Roman wrestling, although there was no time limit, and not all leg holds were forbidden (in contrast to current rules). At the 1896 Summer Olympics, one wrestling event was contested. ... Image File history File links Schuhmann Lotta Atene 1896 Schuhmann (left) and Tsitas shake hands before wrestling File links The following pages link to this file: 1896 Summer Olympics ... Image File history File links Schuhmann Lotta Atene 1896 Schuhmann (left) and Tsitas shake hands before wrestling File links The following pages link to this file: 1896 Summer Olympics ... Schuhmann (left) before the Olympic wrestling final, which he won. ... Alexander Karelin throwing Jeff Blatnick Greco-Roman wrestling is a form of amateur wrestling practiced throughout the world. ...

Apart from the two Greek contestants, all competitors had previously been active in other sports. Weightlifting champion Launceston Elliot faced gymnastics champion Carl Schuhmann from Germany. The latter won easily and advanced into the final, where he met Georgios Tsitas. Their final match had to be abandoned after 40 minutes of wrestling when darkness fell in and was continued the following day, when the German finished the bout within a quarter of an hour. Launceston Elliott in a postcard 1910 Launceston Elliott (June 9, 1874 - August 8, 1930) was a British weightlifter. ... Schuhmann (left) before the Olympic wrestling final, which he won. ... Georgios Tsitas (1872 – ?) was a Greek wrestler. ...

Closing ceremony

On the morning of Sunday 12 April, King George organized a banquet for officials and athletes (even though some competitions were not to be held). During his speech, he made clear that, as far as he was concerned, the Olympic should be held in Athens permanently. April 12 is the 102nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (103rd in leap years). ...

The official closing ceremony was held the following Wednesday, being postponed from Tuesday due to rain. Again the royal family attended the ceremony, which was opened by the national anthem of Greece and an ode composed and cited by George S. Robertson, a British athlete and scholar. A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is evoking and eulogizing the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognzed either by a nations government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... George Stuart Robertson was a British athlete. ...

Afterwards, the king awarded prizes to the winners. Unlike today, the winners received silver medals and the second-placed athletes bronze medals. Some winners also received additional prizes, such as Spyridon Louis, who received a cup from Michel Bréal, a friend of De Coubertin who had conceived the marathon event. Louis then led the medallists on a lap of honour through the stadium, while the Olympic Hymn was played again. The King then formally closed the Games, saying "I declare the First International Olympic Games terminated." Michel Jules Alfred Bréal (March 26, 1832 - 1915), French philologist, was born at Landau in Rhenish Bavaria, of French parents. ...

Like the Greek king, many others supported the idea of holding the next Games in Athens as well; most of the American competitors signed a letter to the Crown Prince expressing this wish. De Coubertin, however, was heavily opposed to this idea, as he envisioned international rotation as one of the cornerstones of the modern Olympics. According to his wish, the next Games were held in Paris, although they would be subdued by the concurrently held Universal Exposition. City flag City coat of arms Motto: Fluctuat nec mergitur Tossed by the waves, she does not founder Coordinates : , Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) Administration Subdivisions 20 arrondissements Département Paris (75) Région ÃŽle-de-France Mayor Bertrand Delanoë (PS) City (commune) Characteristics Land Area 86. ... Worlds Fair is the generic name for various large expositions held since the mid 19th century. ...

Nations

Participating countries

The concept of national teams was not a major part of the Olympic movement until the Intercalated Games ten years later, though many sources list the nationality of competitors in 1896 and give medal counts. The 1906 Summer Olympics, also called the 1906 Intercalated Games, were held in Athens, Greece. ...

Sources conflict as to which nations competed. The International Olympic Committee gives a figure of 14, but no list. The following 14 are most likely the ones which the IOC figure includes. Some sources list 12, excluding Chile and Bulgaria; others list 13, including those two but excluding Italy. Egypt is also sometimes included, as Dionysios Kasdaglis was Greek-Egyptian and living in Egypt. Dionysios Kasdaglis (1880 - ?) was a Greek-Egyptian tennis player. ...

1. Australia - Despite Australia still being part of the United Kingdom, the results of Teddy Flack are typically given with him listed as Australian.
2. Austria - Austria was part of Austria-Hungary at the time, though the results of Austrian athletes are typically reported separately.
3. Bulgaria - The Bulgarian NOC claims that gymnast Charles Champaud was competing as a Bulgarian^[4]. Champaud was a Swiss national living in Bulgaria. Mallon and de Wael both list Champaud as Swiss^[5].
4. Chile - The Chilean NOC claims to have had one athlete, Luis Subercaseaux, compete in the 100, 400, and 800 metre races in the athletics programme^[6]. No further details are given. No mention is made of Subersaceaux in Mallon, de Wael, or the Official Report.
5. Denmark
6. France
7. Germany
8. Great Britain and Ireland - The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland has historically maintained separate athletic organizations for each of its constituent kingdoms. The major exception to this has been the Olympic Games, in which the country is considered as a single entity. However, it has conventionally used the name "Great Britain" at the Olympics rather than the more common shortening of the name to "the United Kingdom".
9. Greece - Greek results typically include the results of competitors from Cyprus and Smyrna. Occasionally, Kasdaglis of Egypt is also included in the Greek count.
   • Cyprus - Some sources give Cypriot results separately, though most count Anastasios Andreou, a Greek-Cypriot and the only athlete from Cyprus, as Greek. Cyprus was a protectorate of the United Kingdom at the time.
   • Smyrna - The two athletes from Smyrna are nearly always included in the Greek listings, similarly to the Cypriot athlete.
10. Hungary - Hungary is usually listed separately from Austria, despite the two being formally joined as Austria-Hungary at the time. However, Hungarian results are considered to include those of athletes from Vojvodina (now part of Serbia) and Slovakia.
11. Italy
12. Sweden
13. Switzerland
14. United States

Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Teddy Flack Edwin Harold Teddy Flack (November 5, 1873 – January 10, 1935) was an Australian athlete. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Habsburg_Monarchy. ... Austria-Hungary, also known as the Dual monarchy (or: the k. ... The flag of the Kingdom of Bulgaria. ... Charles Champaud was a Swiss gymnast. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Chile. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Denmark. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_France. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_German_Empire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right)1 Capital London Head of State King or Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Head of Government Prime Minister Parliament House of Commons, House of Lords This article is about the historical state called the... Image File history File links Flag_of_Greece_(1828-1978). ... Anastasios Andreou was a Greek athlete from Cyprus. ... For other meanings of Smyrna, see Smyrna (disambiguation). ... Flag of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1867 to 1918 File links The following pages link to this file: 1896 Summer Olympics Tennis at the 1896 Summer Olympics Swimming at the 1896 Summer Olympics Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics 1906 Summer Olympics 1912 Summer Olympics 1908 Summer Olympics 1904... Austria-Hungary, also known as the Dual monarchy (or: the k. ... Republic of Serbia   â€“Vojvodina   â€“Kosovo (UN admin. ... Motto: none Anthem: Bože Pravde Capital Belgrade Largest city Belgrade Official language(s) Serbian1 Government Republic  - President Boris Tadić  - Prime Minister Vojislav KoÅ¡tunica Formation and independence    - Formation of Serbia 814   - Formation of the Serbian Empire 1345   - Independence from the Ottoman Empire July 13, 1878   - Serbia and Montenegro union... Image File history File links Flag_of_Italy_(1861-1946). ... Image File history File links Swedish_norwegian_union_flag. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Switzerland. ... Image File history File links US_44_Star_Flag. ...

Entered nations that did not compete

Belgium and Russia had entered the names of competitors, but withdrew. Whether or not the Chilean athlete competed is questionable. Many sources list Italy in this category, as the most prominent Italian involved with the games, Carlo Airoldi, was deemed a professional and excluded from competition. However, the shooter listed by name simply as Rivabella was also Italian and did compete. Carlo Airoldi (Origgio, 21 September 1869–1929) was an Italian marathon runner, famous for walking to the 1896 Olympics. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...

Medal count

Currently, many media sources publish medal counts for the Olympic Games. This was not the case in 1896, but many sources have tallied the 1896 medals to be able to compare the 1896 edition with later Games. These statistics should be used with care, however.

It should be noted, first, that no gold medals were awarded at all, and the third place finishers did not receive any prize in Athens. Secondly, national teams as we know now hardly existed. Greece and Hungary had held selection matches, but most other athletes represented their clubs or themselves. Furthermore, not all of the countries listed below did actually exist as of 1896. For example, Australia was not yet independent of the UK, and Hungary and Austria were formally joined together as one nation. Nevertheless, most sources have the countries as listed below.^[7]

Numbers in parentheses indicate the results if nations are not credited with medals won as part of mixed teams.

Medal awarded in Athens

(Host country highlighted.)

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States	11	7	2	20
2	Greece	10	17	19	46
3	Germany	6	5	2	13
4	France	5	4	2	11
5	Great Britain and Ireland	2	3	2	7
6	Hungary	2	1	3	6
7	Austria	2	1	2	5
8	Australia	2	0	0	2
9	Denmark	1	2	3	6
10	Switzerland	1	2	0	3

Further information: 1896 Summer Olympics medal count

Image File history File links US_44_Star_Flag. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Greece_(1828-1978). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_German_Empire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_France. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Flag of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1867 to 1918 File links The following pages link to this file: 1896 Summer Olympics Tennis at the 1896 Summer Olympics Swimming at the 1896 Summer Olympics Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics 1906 Summer Olympics 1912 Summer Olympics 1908 Summer Olympics 1904... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Habsburg_Monarchy. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Denmark. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Switzerland. ... This is the full table of the medal count of the 1896 Summer Olympics. ...

Female competitors

Women were not allowed to compete at the 1896 Summer Olympics. One, named Stamata Revithi and nicknamed Melpomene after the Greek muse of tragedy, protested by running the marathon course on 11 April, the day after the men had run it.^[8] Stamata Revithi was a Greek woman who attempted to compete at the 1896 Summer Olympics. ... Hesiod and the Muse, 1891 - Oil on canvas, Musee dOrsay, Paris Gustave Moreau Melpomene (to sing) was a Muse in Greek mythology. ... April 11 is the 101st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (102nd in leap years). ...

Notes

1. ^ This number, given by the International Olympic Committee, is open to interpretation and ranges from 10 to 15. National teams hardly existed at the time, and most athletes represented themselves or their clubs. In addition, countries were not always as well-defined as they are today. The number of countries here reflects the number used by most modern sources. See #Nations for more details on the formulation of this number.
2. ^ This number of competitors is according to the International Olympic Committee. The identities of 179 competitors are known; a maximum of 252 took part. Mallon & Widlund (see #References) calculate 245 athletes, while De Wael finds 246.
3. ^ Greece still used the Julian calendar at the time. According to that calendar, the Games were opened on 25 March and closed on 3 April.
4. ^ Bulgarian Olympic Committee
5. ^ De Wael's Complete Olympians
6. ^ Comité Olympico de Chile
7. ^ 1896 Official Medal Count
8. ^ www.olympicwomen.co.uk

The Julian calendar was introduced in 46 BC by Julius Caesar and took force in 45 BC (709 ab urbe condita). ... March 25 is the 84th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (85th in leap years). ... April 3 is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 272 days remaining. ...

References

• Lampros, S.P.; Polites, N.G.; De Coubertin, Pierre; Philemon, P.J.; & Anninos, C. (1897). The Olympic Games: BC 776 – AD 1896. Athens: Charles Beck. (Digitally available at [1])
• Mallon, Bill; & Widlund, Ture (1998). The 1896 Olympic Games. Results for All Competitors in All Events, with Commentary. Jefferson: McFarland. ISBN 0-7864-0379-9. (Excerpt available at [2])
• Smith, Michael Llewellyn (2004). Olympics in Athens 1896. The Invention of the Modern Olympic Games. London: Profile Books. ISBN 1-86197-342-X.

Further reading

• Greenberg, Stan (1996). The Guinness Book of Olympic Facts and Feats. Enfield: Guinness. ISBN 0-85112-639-1.
• Kluge, Volker (1997). Olympische Sommerspiele: die Chronik I. Berlin: Sportverlag. ISBN 3-328-00715-6.
• Lennartz, Karl (ed.) (1996). Die olympischen Spiele 1896 in Athen: Erläuterungen zum Neudruck des Offiziellen Berichtes. Kassel: Agon.
• MacAloon, John J (1982). This Great Symbol: Pierre de Coubertin and the Origins of the Modern Olympic Games. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
• Wallechinsky, David (2000). The Complete Book of the Summer Olympics. Woodstock: Overlook Press. ISBN 1-58567-033-2.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

1896 Summer Olympics

• International Olympic Committee (IOC) page on the 1896 Summer Olympics.
• A chronicle of the 1896 Summer Olympics.
• Official Report of the 1896 Olympics (PDF format)

   

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