The Modern Olympic Movement.

Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a Parisian-born educator, conceived the idea of a modern Olympics back in 1887 and by 1894, his plan was accepted and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was formed.  The stated goal of the games was to encourage a better understanding among nations through the linking of sport, education, art and culture.  The first games were held in Athens in April of 1896.  Thirteen nations sent some 300 representatives to compete in 43 events in 9 different sports.  

Only two awards were given in each event -- to the winner, a diploma, a silver medal and a crown of olive branches; to the second place finisher, a diploma, a bronze medal and a crown of laurel. Women did not compete at the first modern games.  Their participation dates back to 1900, but was limited to lawn tennis and golf. 

Many of the track & field events of the modern Olympics owe more to games developed by the Anglo-Saxons and the Celts than to the classical Greeks.  Rural sports which developed in the late middle ages in Great Britain, and were refined in  mid-19th century English public schools and at the Highland Games in Scotland, had more of an influence on the 1896 Games than the ancient Greek Games did.  The final Olympic track & field program of the first modern games was in great part a reflection of Coubertin's experiences with the athletic programs of the U.S. and England.

The first few Olympic Games were haphazard affairs, leading to the first and only interim Olympics, held in Athens in 1906.  Although the results of these interim Games are not part of the official Olympic records, they helped put the Games back on track and in 1908, the Games in London established many of the modern Olympic traditions, including the parade of nations, medals for third place finishers and increased participation of women.