ATHENS

FIRST ATTEMPTS

1896 OLYMPICS

1st day

2nd day

3rd day

4th day

5th day

6th day

7th day

8th-10th day

ISSUES

SYMBOLS

March 26th 1896: 2nd day of the events

 

Fencing events

This event was conducted at Zappeion. A specially constructed platform was placed in the center of the Hall and the spectators sat in a circle around the platform.

The event was set to begin at 10.00 p.m. The royal family arrived at the set time and was welcomed by the crowd at the Propylaea. The athletes were presented in pairs wearing visors with the point of their swords covered. The winner, Leon Pyrgos, became the first Greek Olympic winner of the games.

The athletic contests began at 2.30 p.m. at the Stadium.

 

110m. hurdle-race

In order to reach the finishing line, the athletes had to jump over the wooden hurdles that were densely placed on the track. The eight contestants were divided in two groups.

 

Long jump

Only eight of the eighteen athletes that had entered for the event eventually took part in the event. Ellery Clark, from Boston, USA, was the winner with a jump of 6,35m.

 

400m. race (final)

The race was conducted among the winners of the preliminary race. Thomas Burke, from the USA, was the winner with 54´´ while his compatriot Herbert Jameson came in second. The American spectators were excited with these successive victories.

 

Shot Put

A particularly popular event in Greece, the sphere excited the spectators. Once again, it was an American, Robert Garrett who was the winner causing great enthusiasm to the Americans. Miltiades Grouskos from Greece came in second.

 

Weightlifting

The event took place in an arena, on sand-covered ground. Viggo Jensen, an athlete from Denmark, was the winner of "weightlifting with both hands" whereas Launceston Elliot, the athlete from England, was the winner of "weightlifting with one hand".

 

1500m. race

Edwin Flack, an Australian athlete, was the winner of the day's final event in which eight athletes participated.

At night, the Acropolis was illuminated according to schedule. Torches of all colors lighted the "Sacred Rock" stressing the link between the Modern Olympic Games and the ancient past of Greece.

 

Modern Olympic Games:
From Athens of 1896 to Athens of 2004

Topography:
Short description of the monuments at ancient Olympia

3D reconstructions:
Some of the most important buildings in ancient Olympia rendered in three-dimensions.

VRML:
3D reconstruction of the Temple of Zeus in ancient Olympia.

Other games:
Short reference on other famous contests in ancient Greece

In the first person:
Young Ariston shares his experience in the Olympic Games

Olympic victors:
Database of the ancient Olympic victors based on each athletic event and each Olympiad

Specimen sources

Bibliography