Pierre de Coubertin, Father of the Modern Summer Olympics
The idea for the first modern summer Olympic Games came from Frenchman, Pierre de Coubertin. He wanted to promote international understanding and see the world come together in peace, accomplished through participation in sport.
The initial meeting to establish an International Olympic Committee and set the idea of a modern Olympics in motion was held on June 23 1894.
At this meeting the decision was made to hold the first Olympics in Athens, recognising the Greek link back to the Ancient Olympics of earlier times.
The initial meeting to establish an International Olympic Committee and set the idea of a modern Olympics in motion was held on June 23 1894.
At this meeting the decision was made to hold the first Olympics in Athens, recognising the Greek link back to the Ancient Olympics of earlier times.
First Modern Summer Olympic Games, Athens 1896
The first modern summer Olympic Games were opened by the King George 1 of Greece on 6 April 1896.
Held at the Panathenean Stadium in Athens, fourteen nations participated, with 245 competitors, most of these being Greek.
Nine sports were offered at these first modern Olympics, these being track and field, fencing, weightlifting, rifle and pistol shooting,tennis, cycling, swimming, gymnastics and wrestling.
Held at the Panathenean Stadium in Athens, fourteen nations participated, with 245 competitors, most of these being Greek.
Nine sports were offered at these first modern Olympics, these being track and field, fencing, weightlifting, rifle and pistol shooting,tennis, cycling, swimming, gymnastics and wrestling.
The first Modern Olympic Champion
An American athlete, James Connolly, became the first modern Olympic champion, when he won the triple jump event, known in those days as hop, skip and jump.
In order to attend the Games, he had to withdraw as a student at Harvard University, as he was not granted leave.
He continued from this success, coming second in the high jump and third in the long jump.
Although he competed four years later at the next Olympics in Paris, Connolly failed to retain his title.
In order to attend the Games, he had to withdraw as a student at Harvard University, as he was not granted leave.
He continued from this success, coming second in the high jump and third in the long jump.
Although he competed four years later at the next Olympics in Paris, Connolly failed to retain his title.
The first modern Marathon
At the 1894 meeting it was decided to hold a marathon race, in memory of the messenger Phidippides, who ran 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce the Athenian victory in battle against the Persians. Sadly Phidippides died after his mammoth effort, but his memory lives on in the event named after him today.
Since these first modern summer Olympics in 1896 it has become tradition for the marathon to be the last event on the programme.
The 1896 Marathon event, held on 10 April, was won by the Greek athlete, Spyridon Louis, in the time of 2 hours 58 minutes and 50 seconds. As his prize for winning the event, the Greek government asked him what he wished as a reward, Being a water carrier, he asked for a donkey drawn carriage to help him in his business.
He never competed as an athlete again.
Since these first modern summer Olympics in 1896 it has become tradition for the marathon to be the last event on the programme.
The 1896 Marathon event, held on 10 April, was won by the Greek athlete, Spyridon Louis, in the time of 2 hours 58 minutes and 50 seconds. As his prize for winning the event, the Greek government asked him what he wished as a reward, Being a water carrier, he asked for a donkey drawn carriage to help him in his business.
He never competed as an athlete again.
2012 Olympic Games, London
This year, 2012, London is hosting the 30th modern Olympics, from 27 July until 12 August. London has hosted the Olympics twice in the past, in 1908 and again in 1948 after it was cancelled because of war in 1944.
Throughout the world countries are now finalising their official teams and the countdown to the 2012 Olympic Games is on.
You may also enjoy reading:
Rules for Safe Lane Swimming at Your Local Pool
Go for Gold : Be a Winner in 2012
Throughout the world countries are now finalising their official teams and the countdown to the 2012 Olympic Games is on.
You may also enjoy reading:
Rules for Safe Lane Swimming at Your Local Pool
Go for Gold : Be a Winner in 2012
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