First Modern Olympic Games

In this post First Modern Olympic Games , we will read about the time and events when First Modern Olympic Games started. It was on 6th April ,1896 Olympic games reborn. Earlier they were banned by Roman Emperor Theodosius. The games were restarted after a time gap of 1500 years.

There were  280 athletes from 13 nations. They participated in 43 events, these events were track-and-field, gymnastics,swimming,  cycling,  weightlifting,wrestling, fencing, shooting, and tennis.

In this event all the competitors were male.

Shooting-John and Sumner Paine (USA)

John and Sumner Paine were the representatives of the USA in Athenes for  shooting events. John Paine were Harvard graduated set off for Athens via France.

Cycling (track) -Paul Masson (FRE)

Paul Masson was 21-year-old.He was a  Frenchman . He  arrived in there without any international pedigree.

Swimming-Alfréd Hajos (HUN)

Alfréd Hajos was a Hungarian architecture student. He was the star of the swimming events of 1896 Olympic games .

Tennis-John Pius Boland (IRL)

He was born at Dublin. John Pius Boland attended two private  schools, one English , the second one Irish.

Thomas Burke (USA) - 100m

Thomas Edward Burke won two time Olympic gold medals.

Spyridon Louis (GRE) - Marathon

Spyridon Louis was born on 12 January , 1873, at Marousi , Greece.