1896 in Sports - Olympic Games

Olympic Games

1896 Summer Olympics

  • The 1896 Summer Olympics, the first modern Games, takes place in Athens with 13 nations competing, the most competitors coming from Greece, Germany and France.
  • 16 April — American James Connolly wins the triple jump to become the first Olympic champion in over 1,500 years.
  • Winners receive a silver medal and a crown of olive branches; Greece wins the most medals (46) and the United States wins the most gold medals (11).

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