Olympics History
POSTED: 9:52 am EDT June 1, 2004
UPDATED: 10:22 am EDT June 1, 2004
776 B.C.
The King of Sparta, Lycourgos, signs a treaty with the King of Pissa confirming that every four years there would be a race between the three Greek provinces. The four-year period was called the Olympiad.393 A.D.
The games went on every four years for about 12 centuries. The Olympics were always held in Olympia where great crowds would gather. The Olympics were abolished in 393 A.D. in the midst of the fall of Ancient Greece.
1896
The modern Olympics began in Athens, Greece in 1896. At the games, there were 14 nations represented by 241 athletes, all men. American James Connolly won the triple jump event on April 6, 1896, becoming the first Olympic champion in over 1,500 years. Each winner was awarded a silver medal and a crown of olive branches.1900
The Olympic games were held in Paris in 1900, mainly because of the Exposition Universelle Internationale-the Paris World's Fair. 24 nations were represented this time around, and many more events were added. For the first time, women participated in the games, although only about 20 athletes out of 1,000 were women.1904
The St. Louis Olympics were put in the back seat once again by the World's Fair. The 1904 Olympic games only saw 645 athletes compete from 12 nations. These games marked the first time where the competitors were given medals of gold, silver, and bronze for first, second, and third place. Two Tswana tribesmen, Len Tau and Jan Mashiani, became the first Africans to compete in any Olympic games when they participated in the marathon event.1908
The 1908 Olympic Games were initially awarded to Rome, but were soon relocated to London. This Olympics saw over 2,000 athletes from 22 nations participate. During the Opening Ceremonies, each athlete marched into the stadium with their nations. Dorando Pietri, a long-distance runner represented by Italy, made himself famous without even winning. Toward the end of the marathon event, Pietri was on his way to the gold, but he became weak and began to collapse. Olympic officials helped him across the finish line, but Pietri was disqualified for receiving outside help. His effort made him the buzz of the 1908 Olympic games.1912
The 1912 Stockholm Olympics went down in history as one of the most efficient games. A public address system was introduced, as well as unofficial electronic timing devices used for the track events. The modern pentathlon event was added to the Olympic program, which featured over 2,400 athletes from 28 nations. The star of the 1912 Olympic Games was American Jim Thorpe, a man considered by many to be the greatest athlete ever. Thorpe dominated the competition by capturing the pentathlon and setting a world record in the decathlon.1916
Scheduled to take place in Berlin, the 1916 Games were called off due to a catastrophic event that would be known as World War I.1920
To honor the suffering of the Belgians from the war, Antwerp was awarded the 1920 Olympic Games. For the first time, the Opening Ceremonies featured the introduction of the Olympic flag and the Athletes' oath. In an Olympics where Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Turkey were not invited because of their roles in the war, the Olympics featured over 2,600 athletes from 29 nations. One of the most significant feats of these Games was Nedo Nadi, an Italian fencer who won an Olympiic record 5 gold medals.1924
The 1924 Olympics once again could be found in Paris. Many traditions were introduced, including the Closing Ceremony ritual of the raising of the three flags: the Olympic International Committee flag, the host nation's flag, and the flag of the Olympics' next host nation. These Games featured an Olympic record of 44 nations being represented by over 3,000 athletes.1928
The 1928 Olympic games held in Amsterdam marked the first time where the Olympic Flame was lit. This flame would stay lit throughout the games and this tradition continues today. 46 nations were represented and the number of Olympic female athletes nearly doubled. Male and female athletes from 28 different countries won medals, an Olympic record which would stand for 40 years. Asian athletes won gold medals for the first time.1932
When the 1932 Olympic Games came to Los Angeles, the world was in the midst of the Great Depression. As a result, about half as many athletes participated in the Olympics. In spite of this lack of support, the 1932 Games saw 18 world records either broken or equaled. For the first time, the event winners would stand on a victory platform as their home nation flag was raised. 18-year-old Babe Didrikson won the javelin throw and set a world record in the 80-meter hurdles and the high jump.1936
Although very concerned about the Nazi influence in Germany, Berlin was given the opportunity to host the 1936 Olympics. These Games featured one star: Jesse Owens. Owens, an African-American sprinter and long jumper, collected four gold medals. The 1936 Olympic Games marked many firsts. The torch relay was introduced, where a lighted torch is carried from Olympia, Greece to the site of the games. Also, 1936 marked the first year where the Games were broadcast and could be seen on some form of television. Nearly 49 nations were represented by almost 4,000 athletes.1940
The 1940 and 1944 Olympic games never took place due to World War II.1948
The 1948 Olympics in London marked the first time where the Olympics were seen on home television, even though many British families did not own one. After only four months of learning the sport, 17-year-old American Bob Mathias won the decathlon to become the youngest athlete in Olympic history to win a men's athletic event. An Olympic record 59 nations were represented with over 4,100 athletes participating.1952
Helsinki, Finland played proud host to the 1952 Olympic Games. The most remarkable feat in Helsinki came in the form of a long distance runner. Emil Zatopek, of Czechoslovakia, becoming the first person to win the 5,000 meter, 10,000 meter and marathon events in one Olympics. The Soviet Union was invited to the Olympics for the first time, although the Soviet athletes were housed in a separate village. 69 nations were represented in Helsinki, including almost 5,000 men and women.1956
Melbourne hosted the 1956 Olympic Games, but due to severe quarantine laws, the equestrian event was not allowed to take place in Melbourne. Held separately, the equestrian event was held in Stockholm in June. Led by Bill Russell, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, the U.S. basketball team walked over the competition by winning each game by at least 30 points. During the Closing Ceremonies, every athlete from every country entered the stadium together, creating a symbol of global unity.1960
Rome finally received the opportunity to host an Olympics, the 1960 Games. Historic sites were used as facilities for Olympic events, including the Basilica of Maxentius (wrestling), Caracalla Baths (gymnastics), and the Arch of Constantine (the finish of the marathon). When Ike Qurtey won the silver medal in light-welterweight boxing for Ghana, he became the first black African medalist. 83 nations represented themselves, with over 5,300 athletes.1964
Asia's first Olympic games were held in Tokyo. Judo and volleyball were introduced as new events onto the Olympic program. Don Schollander, an American swimmer, captured four gold medals. An inspiring story was Al Oerter, an American discus thrower who suffered a cervical disk injury which forced him to wear a neck harness. He also tore rib cartilage, but he still participated. Over 5,100 athletes from 93 nations participated.1968
Choosing Mexico City to host the 1968 Olympic Games was not an easy one because of the conditions. In addition to the hot weather, the city's altitude was 2,300 meters above sea level, and the air contained 30 percent less oxygen than the air at sea level. This would have a great effect on endurance events. In all of the men's races which were 400m or shorter, new world records were set. American Bob Beamon's long jump of 8.9m would be in the record books for 22 years. The Mexico City Olympics were the first to assess sex testing for women. Over 5,500 athletes participated from 112 nations.1972
The 1972 Olympic Games, hosted by Munich, set many records. Never before had there been as many events (195), athletes (7,173), and nations being represented (121). All was going well in Munich until Sept. 5, when eight Palestinian terrorists entered the Olympic Village and killed two Israeli team members and took nine more as hostages. Later these hostages were killed as well as a policeman and five of the terrorists. The Olympics were suspended for 34 hours and a memorial service was held in the main stadium for the fallen athletes.1976
The 1976 Olympic Games came to Canada, Montreal being the host city. A 14-year-old gymnast named Nadia Comaneci from Romania this time around caused the stir of the Olympics. Her amazing performance on the uneven bars gave her a perfect score of 10.0, ultimately earning seven 10s. Japanese gymnast Shun Fujimoto broke his leg while performing his floor exercises routine. Japan was in a close battle with the Soviet Union, so Fujimoto kept his injury to himself. He was forced to withdraw, however, while dismounting from the rings. Over 6,000 athletes from 92 countries participated.1980
Moscow served as host to the 1980 Olympic Games, but due to a U.S. led-boycott, only 80 nations took part in these Games, the lowest number since 1956. Winning eight Olympic medals was Aleksander Dityatin, who became the only athlete to ever win eight medals. Gerd Wessig became the first male high jumper to break the world record. Vladimir Salnikov broke the 15-minute mark for the 1,500m swim.1984
The 1984 Olympic Games from Los Angeles drew almost 7,000 athletes from 140 different nations. Carl Lewis, a sprinter representing the United States, turned in one of the best performances since Jesse Owens by winning four gold medals in the same events: 100m, 200m, 4x100m, relay, and long jump. Neroli Fairhall, an archer in a wheelchair, became the first paraplegic athlete to take part in a medal event. Due to all of the trouble from the past Olympic games, Los Angeles was the only city to bid for the right to host the Games.1988
The 1988 Seoul Olympic Games featured many medal winners, and a drug disqualification which drew much buzz. Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson was disqualified from the games when he "spiked" his herbal drink which he consumed before he ran. After setting a world record and capturing Olympic gold, samples of Johnson's urine were taken, and an anabolic steroid was found. USA swimmer Matt Biondi won seven medals, five of them gold.1992
The1992 Olympic Games in Spain brought over 9,300 athletes from 169 nations to Barcelona, and for the first time since 1972, each nation with a National Olympic Committee was represented. The U.S. basketball team, also known as the "Dream Team," featured professionals such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson. Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia became the first black African woman to win a gold medal. The silver medalist winner of that race was Elana Meyer, a South African woman. Tulu and Meyer ran a victory lap while holding hands, symbolizing hope and peace for a new Africa.1996
The 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta started off with Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic cauldron to get the Games under way, but soon after tragedy struck. Terrorists set a bomb in Olympic Park which killed one and injured over 100 people. Although struck by tragedy, the Games in Atlanta proved to be amazing. 79 nations won medals, an Olympics record, and 53 won gold. Carl Lewis became the fourth person to win nine gold medals after another great Olympics performance.2000
Often referred to as the "best Olympics ever," the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney were very large. Over 10,600 athletes competed in 300 events, the most in Olympic history. Steven Redgrave, a rower and Olympic veteran, became the first athlete to win gold medals at five consecutive Olympics. Marion Jones became the first woman to win five medals in the athletics event at the same Olympics.
The King of Sparta, Lycourgos, signs a treaty with the King of Pissa confirming that every four years there would be a race between the three Greek provinces. The four-year period was called the Olympiad.393 A.D.
The games went on every four years for about 12 centuries. The Olympics were always held in Olympia where great crowds would gather. The Olympics were abolished in 393 A.D. in the midst of the fall of Ancient Greece.
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The modern Olympics began in Athens, Greece in 1896. At the games, there were 14 nations represented by 241 athletes, all men. American James Connolly won the triple jump event on April 6, 1896, becoming the first Olympic champion in over 1,500 years. Each winner was awarded a silver medal and a crown of olive branches.1900
The Olympic games were held in Paris in 1900, mainly because of the Exposition Universelle Internationale-the Paris World's Fair. 24 nations were represented this time around, and many more events were added. For the first time, women participated in the games, although only about 20 athletes out of 1,000 were women.1904
The St. Louis Olympics were put in the back seat once again by the World's Fair. The 1904 Olympic games only saw 645 athletes compete from 12 nations. These games marked the first time where the competitors were given medals of gold, silver, and bronze for first, second, and third place. Two Tswana tribesmen, Len Tau and Jan Mashiani, became the first Africans to compete in any Olympic games when they participated in the marathon event.1908
The 1908 Olympic Games were initially awarded to Rome, but were soon relocated to London. This Olympics saw over 2,000 athletes from 22 nations participate. During the Opening Ceremonies, each athlete marched into the stadium with their nations. Dorando Pietri, a long-distance runner represented by Italy, made himself famous without even winning. Toward the end of the marathon event, Pietri was on his way to the gold, but he became weak and began to collapse. Olympic officials helped him across the finish line, but Pietri was disqualified for receiving outside help. His effort made him the buzz of the 1908 Olympic games.1912
The 1912 Stockholm Olympics went down in history as one of the most efficient games. A public address system was introduced, as well as unofficial electronic timing devices used for the track events. The modern pentathlon event was added to the Olympic program, which featured over 2,400 athletes from 28 nations. The star of the 1912 Olympic Games was American Jim Thorpe, a man considered by many to be the greatest athlete ever. Thorpe dominated the competition by capturing the pentathlon and setting a world record in the decathlon.1916
Scheduled to take place in Berlin, the 1916 Games were called off due to a catastrophic event that would be known as World War I.1920
To honor the suffering of the Belgians from the war, Antwerp was awarded the 1920 Olympic Games. For the first time, the Opening Ceremonies featured the introduction of the Olympic flag and the Athletes' oath. In an Olympics where Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Turkey were not invited because of their roles in the war, the Olympics featured over 2,600 athletes from 29 nations. One of the most significant feats of these Games was Nedo Nadi, an Italian fencer who won an Olympiic record 5 gold medals.1924
The 1924 Olympics once again could be found in Paris. Many traditions were introduced, including the Closing Ceremony ritual of the raising of the three flags: the Olympic International Committee flag, the host nation's flag, and the flag of the Olympics' next host nation. These Games featured an Olympic record of 44 nations being represented by over 3,000 athletes.1928
The 1928 Olympic games held in Amsterdam marked the first time where the Olympic Flame was lit. This flame would stay lit throughout the games and this tradition continues today. 46 nations were represented and the number of Olympic female athletes nearly doubled. Male and female athletes from 28 different countries won medals, an Olympic record which would stand for 40 years. Asian athletes won gold medals for the first time.1932
When the 1932 Olympic Games came to Los Angeles, the world was in the midst of the Great Depression. As a result, about half as many athletes participated in the Olympics. In spite of this lack of support, the 1932 Games saw 18 world records either broken or equaled. For the first time, the event winners would stand on a victory platform as their home nation flag was raised. 18-year-old Babe Didrikson won the javelin throw and set a world record in the 80-meter hurdles and the high jump.1936
Although very concerned about the Nazi influence in Germany, Berlin was given the opportunity to host the 1936 Olympics. These Games featured one star: Jesse Owens. Owens, an African-American sprinter and long jumper, collected four gold medals. The 1936 Olympic Games marked many firsts. The torch relay was introduced, where a lighted torch is carried from Olympia, Greece to the site of the games. Also, 1936 marked the first year where the Games were broadcast and could be seen on some form of television. Nearly 49 nations were represented by almost 4,000 athletes.1940
The 1940 and 1944 Olympic games never took place due to World War II.1948
The 1948 Olympics in London marked the first time where the Olympics were seen on home television, even though many British families did not own one. After only four months of learning the sport, 17-year-old American Bob Mathias won the decathlon to become the youngest athlete in Olympic history to win a men's athletic event. An Olympic record 59 nations were represented with over 4,100 athletes participating.1952
Helsinki, Finland played proud host to the 1952 Olympic Games. The most remarkable feat in Helsinki came in the form of a long distance runner. Emil Zatopek, of Czechoslovakia, becoming the first person to win the 5,000 meter, 10,000 meter and marathon events in one Olympics. The Soviet Union was invited to the Olympics for the first time, although the Soviet athletes were housed in a separate village. 69 nations were represented in Helsinki, including almost 5,000 men and women.1956
Melbourne hosted the 1956 Olympic Games, but due to severe quarantine laws, the equestrian event was not allowed to take place in Melbourne. Held separately, the equestrian event was held in Stockholm in June. Led by Bill Russell, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, the U.S. basketball team walked over the competition by winning each game by at least 30 points. During the Closing Ceremonies, every athlete from every country entered the stadium together, creating a symbol of global unity.1960
Rome finally received the opportunity to host an Olympics, the 1960 Games. Historic sites were used as facilities for Olympic events, including the Basilica of Maxentius (wrestling), Caracalla Baths (gymnastics), and the Arch of Constantine (the finish of the marathon). When Ike Qurtey won the silver medal in light-welterweight boxing for Ghana, he became the first black African medalist. 83 nations represented themselves, with over 5,300 athletes.1964
Asia's first Olympic games were held in Tokyo. Judo and volleyball were introduced as new events onto the Olympic program. Don Schollander, an American swimmer, captured four gold medals. An inspiring story was Al Oerter, an American discus thrower who suffered a cervical disk injury which forced him to wear a neck harness. He also tore rib cartilage, but he still participated. Over 5,100 athletes from 93 nations participated.1968
Choosing Mexico City to host the 1968 Olympic Games was not an easy one because of the conditions. In addition to the hot weather, the city's altitude was 2,300 meters above sea level, and the air contained 30 percent less oxygen than the air at sea level. This would have a great effect on endurance events. In all of the men's races which were 400m or shorter, new world records were set. American Bob Beamon's long jump of 8.9m would be in the record books for 22 years. The Mexico City Olympics were the first to assess sex testing for women. Over 5,500 athletes participated from 112 nations.1972
The 1972 Olympic Games, hosted by Munich, set many records. Never before had there been as many events (195), athletes (7,173), and nations being represented (121). All was going well in Munich until Sept. 5, when eight Palestinian terrorists entered the Olympic Village and killed two Israeli team members and took nine more as hostages. Later these hostages were killed as well as a policeman and five of the terrorists. The Olympics were suspended for 34 hours and a memorial service was held in the main stadium for the fallen athletes.1976
The 1976 Olympic Games came to Canada, Montreal being the host city. A 14-year-old gymnast named Nadia Comaneci from Romania this time around caused the stir of the Olympics. Her amazing performance on the uneven bars gave her a perfect score of 10.0, ultimately earning seven 10s. Japanese gymnast Shun Fujimoto broke his leg while performing his floor exercises routine. Japan was in a close battle with the Soviet Union, so Fujimoto kept his injury to himself. He was forced to withdraw, however, while dismounting from the rings. Over 6,000 athletes from 92 countries participated.1980
Moscow served as host to the 1980 Olympic Games, but due to a U.S. led-boycott, only 80 nations took part in these Games, the lowest number since 1956. Winning eight Olympic medals was Aleksander Dityatin, who became the only athlete to ever win eight medals. Gerd Wessig became the first male high jumper to break the world record. Vladimir Salnikov broke the 15-minute mark for the 1,500m swim.1984
The 1984 Olympic Games from Los Angeles drew almost 7,000 athletes from 140 different nations. Carl Lewis, a sprinter representing the United States, turned in one of the best performances since Jesse Owens by winning four gold medals in the same events: 100m, 200m, 4x100m, relay, and long jump. Neroli Fairhall, an archer in a wheelchair, became the first paraplegic athlete to take part in a medal event. Due to all of the trouble from the past Olympic games, Los Angeles was the only city to bid for the right to host the Games.1988
The 1988 Seoul Olympic Games featured many medal winners, and a drug disqualification which drew much buzz. Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson was disqualified from the games when he "spiked" his herbal drink which he consumed before he ran. After setting a world record and capturing Olympic gold, samples of Johnson's urine were taken, and an anabolic steroid was found. USA swimmer Matt Biondi won seven medals, five of them gold.1992
The1992 Olympic Games in Spain brought over 9,300 athletes from 169 nations to Barcelona, and for the first time since 1972, each nation with a National Olympic Committee was represented. The U.S. basketball team, also known as the "Dream Team," featured professionals such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson. Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia became the first black African woman to win a gold medal. The silver medalist winner of that race was Elana Meyer, a South African woman. Tulu and Meyer ran a victory lap while holding hands, symbolizing hope and peace for a new Africa.1996
The 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta started off with Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic cauldron to get the Games under way, but soon after tragedy struck. Terrorists set a bomb in Olympic Park which killed one and injured over 100 people. Although struck by tragedy, the Games in Atlanta proved to be amazing. 79 nations won medals, an Olympics record, and 53 won gold. Carl Lewis became the fourth person to win nine gold medals after another great Olympics performance.2000
Often referred to as the "best Olympics ever," the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney were very large. Over 10,600 athletes competed in 300 events, the most in Olympic history. Steven Redgrave, a rower and Olympic veteran, became the first athlete to win gold medals at five consecutive Olympics. Marion Jones became the first woman to win five medals in the athletics event at the same Olympics.
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