In which city were the first modern Olympic Games held?
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The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, from April 6 to 15, 1896. This revival of the ancient Games was mainly due to the efforts of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who wished to promote peace and international unity through sport.
The ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, from 776 BC and were dedicated to Zeus. These sporting and religious competitions lasted until 393 A.D., when the Roman emperor Theodosius I banned them because of their pagan nature.
In the 19th century, the idea of reviving the Games emerged, thanks in particular to Pierre de Coubertin. In 1894, at a congress in Paris, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded and Athens was chosen to host the first Games of the modern era, in homage to their ancient origins.
The 1896 Games brought together 241 male athletes from 14 countries to compete in 43 events covering nine disciplines: athletics, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, weightlifting, wrestling, swimming, tennis and shooting. The competitions took place mainly at the Panathenaic Stadium, an ancient structure renovated for the occasion, with a capacity of up to 60,000 spectators.
One of the highlights of the Games was Greek Spyrídon Loúis’s victory in the marathon, an event inspired by the legend of the Greek messenger Philippides. His victory aroused immense national pride and contributed to the enthusiasm for this new version of the Games.
The success of the Athens Games in 1896 consolidated the place of the Olympic Games in the modern world. They established a model for future editions, with an international organization and a rotation of host cities. Since then, the Olympic Games have been held every four years, except during periods of world war, and have become one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.
The first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 marked the beginning of an international sporting tradition that has lasted for over a century. Thanks to the vision of Pierre de Coubertin and the commitment of the participating nations, these Games laid the foundations of a global Olympic movement, celebrating sporting excellence and unity between peoples.
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In which city were the first modern Olympic Games held?
Answer
The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, from April 6 to 15, 1896, bringing together 241 athletes from 14 countries.