|
|
Sign up for free
Newsletters
Once a month
get new photos
and expert tips.
|
|
Photo Gallery: Moments in Olympics History |
|
|
| PREVIOUS2 of 12NEXT |
|
|
|
The first modern Olympics were opened in the ancient city of Athens on Greek Independence Day in 1896. The opening ceremony was held in the beautifully restored Pan-Athenian stadium (seen here), which was originally built in 330 B.C. The Acropolis is visible in the background.
Modern Greek Olympic gatherings had been held in Athens since 1859, but the efforts of Frenchman Pierre Frédy, Baron de Coubertin, and others revived the games as an international event.
More than 60,000 people attended opening day in 1896, and some 280 athletes, all male, from 12 countries competed in the ten-day spectacle.
Photograph from IOC/Olympic Museum collections
|
|
|
|
|
|
