ATHENS 1896

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

OF THE OLIMPIC GAMES

IN ATHENS 1896

OLIMPIC GAMES:

ATHENS 1896

The 1896 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the I Olympiad, was a multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece, from April 6 to 15, 1896. It was the first international Olympic Games held in the Modern era.

THE STADIUM AND THE BEST

COMPETITORS IN THE GAMES

1896 Olympics Games were regarded as a great success. They were celebrated in the Panathinaiko Stadium, the only Olympic stadium used in the 1800s. 

The highlight for the Greeks was the marathon victory by their compatriot Spyridon Louis. The most successful competitor was a German gymnast Carl Schuhmann, who won four events.

THE OPENING CEREMONY

On April the 6th the games of the First Olympiad were officially opened. The Panathinaiko Stadium was filled with about 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 with this sentence:

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

Long live the Greek people."

THE OPENING CEREMONY IN ATHENS

DIFFERENT EVENTS

Athletics Cycling Fencing Gymnastics Shooting Swimming Tennis Weighlifting Wrestling

CYCLING

GYMNASTICS

THE CLOSING CEREMONYOn the morning of Sunday April 12, King George organized a banquet for officials and athletes. During his speech, he made clear that, as far as he was concerned, the Olympics should be held in Athens permanently. The official closing ceremony was held on Wednesday the 15th.

Afterwards, the king awarded prizes to the winners.

The King then formally announced that the first Olympiad was at an end, and left the Stadium, while the band played the Greek national hymn and the crowd cheered.

PARTICIPATING NATIONS

AUSTRALIA

AUSTRIA

BULGARIA

CHILE

DENMARK

FRANCE

GERMANY

GREAT BRITAIN

GREECE

PARTICIPATING NATIONS

HUNGARY

SWEDEN

ITALYSWITZERLAND

UNITED STATES

MEDAL COUNTTen of the 14 participating nations earned medals, in addition to three medals won by mixed teams.

During these inaugural Olympics, winners were given a silver medal, an olive branch, and a diploma, while runners-up received a copper medal, laurel branch, and diploma. The IOC has retroactively assigned gold, silver and bronze medals to the three best placed athletes in each event to comport with more recent traditions.

FEMALE COMPETITORS

Women were not allowed to compete at the 1896 Summer Olympics. However, one woman, Stamata Revithi, ran the marathon course on April 11, the day after the men had run the official race. Although she was not allowed to enter the stadium at the end of her race, Revithi finished the marathon in about five hours and 30 minutes.

And that’s all about the Olimpic Games in Athens – 1896.

Thank you for your attention!!