Which country hosted the first modern Olympic Games?

Greece hosted the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, from April 6 to 15, 1896. They were organized by the new International Olympic Committee, founded by French educator Pierre de Coubertin in 1894. About 240 athletes, all men, from 14 nations competed in 43 events, mainly in the restored Panathenaic Stadium.

Country That Hosted the First Modern Olympic Games: Greece

Why Greece?

The ancient Olympic Games were held at Olympia, in Greece, from 776 BC until around AD 393, when they were ended under Roman emperor Theodosius I. Coubertin chose Athens to honor that heritage. The Panathenaic Stadium, a marble stadium from ancient times, was rebuilt with money from Greek businessman George Averoff.

The sports

Nine sports were held: athletics (track and field), cycling, fencing, gymnastics, shooting, swimming, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling. Swimming took place in the open sea in the Bay of Zea, in cold water.

Famous firsts

First	Who
First modern Olympic champion	James Connolly (USA), triple jump
First marathon winner	Spyridon Louis, a Greek water carrier, a national hero
Most successful nation	United States (11 first places)

Winners received a silver medal and an olive branch; runners-up got bronze. Gold medals for first place began in 1904.

The marathon

The marathon was invented for these Games, inspired by the legend of a messenger who ran from Marathon to Athens to announce a victory over the Persians in 490 BC. For more on that empire, see the Persian Royal Road.

Women at the Olympics

No women competed in 1896. Women first took part in 1900 in Paris, in sports including tennis and golf.

Olympic traditions that came later

Tradition	First year
Olympic rings flag	1920
Olympic flame	1928
Torch relay	1936
Winter Olympics	1924

Athens hosted the Summer Olympics again in 2004. For the first Games held outside Europe, see the first Olympics outside Europe.