The sporting events of the first Olympic Games in Modern history

The Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896, officially known as the Games of the First Olympiad, marked the beginning of the Games of the modern era and such was the success of that first edition, inspired by the ancient Olympiad Games of the 20 century BC, which began to be celebrated every four years, was only suspended by great wars.

Currently, more than 30 different sports make up the Olympic Games, a figure that has nothing to do with that first edition of the 19th century. So, it’s just a competition nine disciplines different: athletics, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, weightlifting, wrestling, swimming, tennis and shooting. Originally, there were plans to be eleven, but sailing and rowing had to be stopped due to strong winds on the day of the competition.

Athletics

Athletics is the most prominent discipline of the Games and some names stand out, such as James Connollyfirst Olympic champion after winning the triple jump – he was second in the high jump and third in the long jump -, Spyridon LouisMarathon winner and national hero, or Thomas Burkewho won the 100 and 400 meter events at the Panathenaic Stadium.

Cycling

Cycling events are held at the Neo Phaliron Velodrome, with the French Paul Masson as a standout, won the speed events and the 10,000 meters, and also had a road race, from Athens to Marathon, 87 kilometers in total.

Fencing

Unlike other disciplines, fencing allows the participation of professional athletes and not just beginners. There are several tests and Leonidas Pyrgosin professional foil, was the first Greek Olympic champion in modern history.

gym

Held at the Panathenaic stadium, the gymnastics events were dominated by the Germans, who won five of the eight events held, including two team events.

Lifting

Only the Scot Launceston Elliot and the Dane Viggo Jensen participated in the weightlifting tests and although they lifted the same weight, it was the latter who won, because the jury decided that he showed a better style. In the one-handed lift, the winner is the Scotsman.

struggle

With no difference in weight categories, there was only one winner, the German Carl Schuhmann, who also won three other gold medals in gymnastics.

swimming

Held in the open sea, Hungarian Alfréd Hajós won two of the three events, 100 and 1200 meter freestyle, and missed the other because there was almost no time between them. In the 500 meter freestyle, Austrian Paul Neumann won.

Tennis

The Irishman John Pius Boland was the great winner in the discipline of tennis, who also won the doubles with the German Friedrich Traun.

Shot down

Five shooting tests were conducted, two with a rifle and three with a pistol. The American Paine brothers won a gold medal each.