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WorldNet Service Installation Disk - Cybercathlon Games and Interactive Tour of Olympic Museum (1996).ISO
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00802_Field_Courbetn.txt.txt
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1996-06-03
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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.