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

The 1896 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the I Olympiad, were celebrated in 1896 in Athens, Greece. These games were the first modern international Olympic Games to be organized by the International Olympic Committee. 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. ... This article is about the capital of Greece. ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... George I, King of the Hellenes (Greek: , Georgios A Vasileus ton Ellinon; December 24, 1845 – March 18, 1913) was King of Greece from 1863 to 1913. ... Montreals Olympic Stadium The Olympic Stadium is the name usually given to the big centrepiece stadium of the Summer Olympic Games. ... The Panathinaiko Stadium Archery matches in progress at the Panathinaiko Stadium during the 2004 Athens Olympics The Panathinaiko (Panathenaic) Stadium (also known as the Kallimarmaron, i. ... This article is about the capital of Greece. ... The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ... Stamp The International Olympic Committee (French: Comité International Olympique) is an organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas on June 23, 1894. ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display 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. His statue at the Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta. ... This article is about the capital of France. ... This article is about the capital of Greece. ...

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, balance, endurance, gracefulness, and kinesthetic awareness, and includes such skills as handsprings, handstands, split leaps, aerials and cartwheels. ... 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 Intercalated Games of 1906, the Olympics did not return to Greece until the 2004 Summer Olympics. George I, King of the Hellenes (Greek: , Georgios A Vasileus ton Ellinon; December 24, 1845 – March 18, 1913) was King of 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 ceremony for the lighting of the flame is arranged as a pagan pageant, with priestesses dancing. ...

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 an 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, originally referred to as simply the Olympic Games (Greek: ; Olympiakoi Agones) were a series of athletic competitions held between various city-states of Ancient Greece. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... His statue at the Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta. ... The Sorbonne, Paris, in a 17th century engraving The historic University of Paris (French: ) first appeared in the second half of the 12th century, but was in 1970 reorganised as 13 autonomous universities (University of Paris I–XIII). ... This article is about the capital of France. ...

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). Worlds Fair is any of various large expositions held since the mid-19th century. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Demetrius Vikelas (February 15, 1835 – July 20, 1908) was the first president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 1894 to 1896. ... This article is about the capital of Greece. ... Stamp The International Olympic Committee (French: Comité International Olympique) is an organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas on June 23, 1894. ...

De Coubertin suggested that the true origin of the modern Olympic Games was Much Wenlock, a rural market town in the English county of Shropshire. It was here that in 1850 the local doctor, William Penny Brookes, founded the Olympian Class and the Much Wenlock Olympian Games. 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. De Coubertin also took inspiration from the games held by Evangelos Zappas.^[3] Evangelos Zappas (1800–1865) was a Greek businessman and financier. ...

Organization

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

Panorama of the stadium in 2007

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 organising 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. The total cost of the Games was 3,740,000 drachmas (about US$448,000).^[4] - 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 ... Panathinaiko Stadium (also known as the Kallimarmaro) in Athens is the only major stadium in the world thats constructed fully of white marble from mount Penteli. ... The ceremony for the lighting of the flame is arranged as a pagan pageant, with priestesses dancing. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 165 pixelsFull resolution (4959 × 1024 pixel, file size: 918 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Panorama of the 1896 Olympic Stadium taken in July 2007. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 165 pixelsFull resolution (4959 × 1024 pixel, file size: 918 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Panorama of the 1896 Olympic Stadium taken in July 2007. ... The Prime Minister of Greece (Πρωθυπουργός in Greek) is the head of government of the Hellenic Republic and the leader of the Greek cabinet. ... 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. ... Drachma, pl. ... USD redirects here. ...

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 eventually cost 920,000 drachmas. As a tribute to his generosity, a statue of Averoff was constructed and unveiled on 5 April outside the stadium, where it still stands. The stadium had a straight running track of 232 meters, and very narrow curves, all covered with fine sand. Constantine I, King of the Hellenes (Greek: Κωνσταντίνος A, Βασιλεύς των Ελλήνων) (2 August 1868 - 11 January 1923) ruled Greece from 1913 to 1917 and from 1920 to 1922. ... 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 The Panathinaiko (Panathenaic) Stadium (also known as the Kallimarmaron, i. ... is the 95th day of the year (96th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Organised sports were relatively new to Greece, and as such the organising 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 did not appear until the 1932 Summer Olympics; the athletes had to provide their own lodging. The jury, the referees and the game director bore the same names as in antiquity (Ephor, Helanodic and Alitarc). - 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. ... The mens 100 kilometres was one of five track cycling events on the Cycling at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens sprint was one of the five track cycling events on the Cycling at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens 10 kilometres was one of the five track cycling races on the Cycling at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens time trial was one of 5 track cycling events on the Cycling at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens road race was the only road cycling event on the Cycling at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens 12 hour race was one of five track cycling events on the Cycling at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... At the 1896 Summer Olympics, three fencing events were contested. ... The mens foil was one of three fencing events on the Fencing at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens masters foil was one of three fencing events on the Fencing at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens sabre was one of three fencing events on the Fencing at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... At the 1896 Summer Olympics, eight gymnastics events were contested. ... The mens team parallel bars was the first of eight gymnastics events on the Gymnastics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens team horizontal bar was the second of eight gymnastics events on the Gymnastics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens vault was one of the eight gymnastics events on the Gymnastics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... Carl Schuhmann on the pommel horse The mens pommel horse was one of eight gymnastics events on the Gymnastics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... Weingärtner competing in the rings event The mens rings was one of eight gymnastics events on the Gymnastics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens horizontal bar was one of eight gymnastics events on the Gymnastics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... Alfred Flatow competing on the parallel bars The mens parallel bars was one of eight gymnastics events on the Gymnastics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens rope climbing was one of eight gymnastics events on the Gymnastics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... At the 1896 Summer Olympics, five shooting events were contested. ... The mens military rifle event was one of five sport shooting events on the Shooting at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens military rifle event was one of five sport shooting events on the Shooting at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens military pistol was one of the five sport shooting events on the Shooting at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens free pistol was one of the five sport shooting events on the Shooting at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens rapid fire pistol was one of the five sport shooting events on the Shooting at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens free rifle was one of the five sport shooting events on the Shooting at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens free rifle was one of the five sport shooting events on the Shooting at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... At the 1896 Summer Olympics, four swimming events were contested, all for men. ... 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. ... The mens two hand lift was one of two weightlifting events held as part of the Weightlifting at the 1896 Summer Olympics program. ... The mens one hand lift, an event similar to the modern snatch, was one of two weightlifting events on the Weightlifting at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... At the 1896 Summer Olympics, one wrestling event was contested. ... The mens Greco-Roman was the only wrestling event on the Wrestling at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ... The mens Greco-Roman was the only wrestling event on the Wrestling at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. ...

Opening ceremony

The opening ceremony in the Panathenian 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. ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is celebrated as a holiday in some largely Christian cultures. ... Orthodox icon of Pentecost. ... Protestantism encompasses the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated with the doctrines of the Reformation. ... Combatants Greek revolutionaries United Kingdom France Russian Empire  Ottoman Empire Egyptian Khedivate Commanders Theodoros Kolokotronis Alexander Ypsilanti Georgios Karaiskakis Omer Vryonis Mahmud Dramali Pasha ReÅŸid Mehmed Pasha Ibrahim Pasha. ...

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 organising committee, Crown Prince Constantine, his father officially opened the Games: George I, King of the Hellenes (Greek: , Georgios A Vasileus ton Ellinon; December 24, 1845 – March 18, 1913) was King of 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 (Greek: Κωνσταντίνος A, Βασιλεύς των Ελλήνων) (2 August 1868 - 11 January 1923) ruled Greece from 1913 to 1917 and from 1920 to 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 organising 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). Soccer redirects here. ... This article is about the sport. ... A coxless pair which is a sweep-oar boat. ... Yachting is a physical activity involving boats. ...

Athletics

100 m start. Tom Burke is the second one from left

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 unrecognized 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. Despite this, Thomas Burke won both the 100 meter and the 400 meter run for the U.S., winning with times of 12.0 seconds and 54.2 seconds and with relative ease. In the 100 m start, Tom Burke was the only one who put his knee on soil (technique invented by Sherrill in 1888), confusing the jury. Eventually, he was allowed to start from this "uncomfortable position", winning however casually. Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The renovated Panathinaiko Stadium At the 1896 Summer Olympics, twelve athletics events were contested. ... A womens 400 m hurdles race on a typical outdoor red rubber track in the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Finland. ... 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. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American...

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 Liberty, Equality, Fraternity Anthem: La Marseillaise France() – on the European continent() – in the European Union() Capital (and largest city) Paris Official languages French Demonym French Government Unitary semi-presidential republic  -  President Nicolas Sarkozy  -  Prime Minister François Fillon Formation  -  French State 843 French State Formed   -  Current... 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 organised Greek Olympic Games in the mid-19th century. Unlike other sports (in which only amateurs were allowed to take part at the Olympics), professionals were allowed to compete in fencing, though in a separate event. These 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 ... The horizontal bar The horizontal bar or high bar is an Artistic Gymnastics apparatus. ... Hermann Weingärtner was a German gymnast. ... Alfred Flatow (d. ... A gymnast performs on the parallel bars 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. ... For other uses, see Climbing (disambiguation). ...

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. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Rifle (disambiguation). ... 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, all for men. ... Alfréd Hajós - The First Olympic Champion in Swimming. ... Alfréd Hajós - The First Olympic Champion in Swimming. ... It has been suggested that Kaminia (Piraeus), Greece be merged into this article or section. ...

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. is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Alfréd Hajós (February 1, 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 easily won by Austrian swimmer Paul Neumann, beating his opponents by more than one-and-a-half minutes. Paul Neumann (13 June 1875 – 9 February 1932) was an Austrian swimmer. ...

In addition, a special swimming event open to Greek sailors only was held.

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 Pius Boland 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. ... This article is about the country. ... 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. ... This article is about Greco-Roman wrestling. ...

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 organised 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 Olympics should be held in Athens permanently. is the 102nd day of the year (103rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

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 evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a countrys government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... George Stuart Robertson (25 May 1872 – 29 January 1967) was a British athlete and tennis player. ...

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. This article is about the capital of France. ... Worlds Fair is the generic name for various large expositions held since the mid 19th century. ...

Participating 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. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 370 pixelsFull resolution (1355 × 627 pixel, file size: 44 KB, MIME type: image/png) Countries which participated in the 1896 Summer Olympics as listed at the olympic games museum, derived from blank world map. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 370 pixelsFull resolution (1355 × 627 pixel, file size: 44 KB, MIME type: image/png) Countries which participated in the 1896 Summer Olympics as listed at the olympic games museum, derived from blank world map. ... 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's lack of independence from the British Empire, 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.^[5] Champaud was a Swiss national living in Bulgaria. Mallon and de Wael both list Champaud as Swiss.^[6]
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.^[7] 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 – The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland has historically maintained separate athletic organisations for each of its constituent countries. 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