Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a 
Parisian-born educator, 
conceived the idea of a modern 
Olympics back in 1887.  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 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. 

Surprisingly, many of the track
and field events of the modern 
Olympics owe more to games 
developed by the Anglo-Saxons 
and the Celts than to the ancient  
Greek games. 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 held in the city of Athens.  
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.