Athens 1896 Summer Olympics - Athletes, Medals & Results (original) (raw)
Olympic Games Athens 1896
Date6 April - 15 April
CountryGreece
Athletes241
Teams14
Events43
About the Games
Games Reborn
The first celebration of the modern Olympic Games took place in its ancient birthplace - Greece. The Games attracted athletes from 14 nations, with the largest delegations coming from Greece, Germany, France and Great Britain.
Marathon Joy
Due to its historical significance, the Greek hosts wanted to win the marathon above all else. Spyridon Louis set off from the city of Marathon and took the lead four kilometres from the finish line and, to the joy of the 100,000 spectators, won the race by more than seven minutes.
Will to Live
Hungarian swimmer Alfréd Hajós won the 100m and the 1200m events. For the longer race, the swimmers were transported by boat out to sea and left to swim the required distance back to shore. Hajós later confessed that his “will to live completely overcame [his] desire to win”.
First Modern Champion
On 6 April 1896, the American James Connolly won the triple jump to become the first Olympic champion in more than 1,500 years. He also finished second in the high jump and third in the long jump.
NOCs: 14
Athletes: 241
Events: 43
Volunteers: N/A
Media: N/A
The Opening of the Games
The Opening of the Games was proclaimed by the Head of State of the host nation.
The Olympic Anthem
An Olympic Anthem composed by Spyridon Samaras (music) and by Kostis Palamas (lyrics), was first played at the Games of the I Olympiad in Athens. Thereafter, a variety of musical offerings provided the backgrounds to the Opening Ceremonies until 1960, when the Samaras/Palamas composition became the official Olympic Anthem (decision taken by the IOC Session in 1958).
For the First Time
An Official Report, and commemorative Olympic stamps.
Ceremonies
Athens 1896. Closure Ceremony. The procession of the medal-holders. At the head, Spyridon Louis (GRE), 1st in the marathon.
Official Opening of the Games by:
His Majesty The King George I
Lighting the Olympic Flame by:
A symbolic fire at an Olympic Summer Games was first lit in 1928 in Amsterdam.
Olympic Oath by:
The athletes’ oath was first sworn at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp.
Officials' Oath by:
The officials' oath at an Olympic Summer Games was first sworn in 1972 in Munich.
Medal Table
See the list of teams and medals won by each.
Athens
1896
Athens
1896
Discover the Games
The BrandA visual identity is developed for each edition of the Olympic Games.BrandThe MedalsBeginning as an olive wreath, medal designs have evolved over the years.Medals