ON THIS DAY

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April 6, 1896:

Opening of first modern Olympics.

The 1896 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the I Olympiad, was held in Athens, Greece, from 6 to 15 April 1896.

Fourteen nations and 241 athletes, all male, took part in the games. Participants were all European or living in Europe, with the exception of the United States team, and over 65% of the competing athletes were Greek. Winners were given a silver medal, while runners-up received a copper medal. Retroactively, the IOC has converted these to gold and silver, respectively, and awarded bronze medals to third-placed athletes. Ten of the 14 participating nations earned medals.

Athens had been unanimously chosen to stage the inaugural modern Games during a congress organised by Coubertin in Paris because Greece was the birthplace of the Ancient Olympic Games.

Australia has competed in every modern Olympics since inception.

Cover of the official commemorative album of the 1896 Olympic Games

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