Tuesday, 5 April 2016

First Modern Olympic Games at Athens in 1896. Google shows Doodle for 120th Anniversary.

Today is the 120th anniversary of the first modern Olympic games, which started in Athens, Greece in 1896. Officially called the Games of the I Olympiad, the events took place inside the Panathenaic Stadium.
The Search Engine Google is showing a Doodle for marking this event.

It was the first international Olympic Games held in the Modern era. Because Ancient Greece was the birthplace of the Olympic Games, Athens was considered to be an appropriate choice to stage the inaugural modern Games.

Despite many obstacles and setbacks, the 1896 Olympics were regarded as a great success. The Games had the largest international participation of any sporting event to that date. 

The 1896 games included 9 different sports and 43 events. Most noteworthy was the marathon — it had the greatest number of international athletes ever.

 Equally noteworthy was its winner, Spyridon "Spyro" Louis, the only Greek champion in the athletics division, and a national hero for the host country. His monumental victory on that historic day continues to inspire Greek pride.



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