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Athens
- The birth of the modern Olympics.
- Pierre De Coubertin, founder of IOC.
- Finance difficultities for Greek; George Averoff contributions.
- Success of the Games; Moving Games to other countries.
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Paris
- Taken over by French government; same time as Worlds Fair and unveiling of the Eiffle Tower.
- Went over a 5 month span due to poor organization; no opening or closing ceremonies.
- Women were allowed to compete for the first time. Charlotte Cooper, England, was the first female Olympic champion.
- No medals were given out, it was either cups or trophies.
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St Louis
- Originally to be held in Chicago but moved St. Louis because of protest from the Worlds Fair committee.
- Mostly US and Canadian athletes participate.
- These were the first modern Olympic Games, where gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded for first, second and third prize respectively.
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Antwerp
The Antwerp Games followed the end of WWI. The fighting took place in Europe, which led to difficulties for Antwerp to prepare for the Games. Many still had hostilities against Germany and its allies. The Antwerp Games was also the first time Olympic flag and logo was introduced. -
Period: to
Winter Olympics
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Amsterdam
These games were the first to have the Olympic torch lit in the stadium tower. During the Opening Ceremony, Greece led the Parade of Nations and the host country, the Dutch during these games, followed last. This is still used today. Also, women's participation doubled since they were allowed to compete in more events. -
Los Angeles
This was the first year the Olympic Village was built for the athletes. Baldwin Hills, a 321 acre area, was used for the village of two-room houses, banks, libraries, hospitals, etc. The Coliseum Olympic Stadium was also built for these games, making it the greatest stadium built at that time with amazing proportion and great quality of the equipment. -
Garmish-Partenkirchen Winter Games
Alpine skiing events are held for the first time, but ski instructors are barred as being professionals. This leads to an Austrian and Swiss boycott, and to the decision not to have skiing events in the 1940 Games. -
Berlin
Jesse Owens, an African-American athlete in the times of racial discrimination, became the star of the Games and won four gold medals in the sprint and long jump events. Since the games were held in Berlin, Nazi occupied, Hitler was humiliated on a global scale. -
Rome
These Olympic Games were the first to be fully covered by television. Abebe Bikila of Ethiopia won the gold medal in the marathon running in bare feet. He also became the first black African Olympic champion.Cassius Marcellus Clay of the US, who later became known as Muhammad Ali, first gained international recognition by winning the gold medal in light-heavy weight boxing. -
Innsbruck Winter Games
Unfavorable weather conditions require the Austrian army to carry ice and snow from higher elevations. Because of its policy of apartheid, South Africa is barred from the Olympics; it won't be invited back until 1992. Luge is added for the first time, but a cloud hangs over it after a British luger dies in the course of a practice run a week before competition. -
Grenoble Winter Games
East and West Germany compete on separate teams for the first time. Sex tests and drug tests are introduced. -
Chicago 1968- Special Olympics
On July 20th The first International Special Olympics were held on Soldier Field in Chicago, IL
The 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from 26 U.S. states and Canada competing in a range of athletics, floor hockey and aquatics. -
Munich
The Games were marred by the Munich massacre. On September 5, a day before the Games were to begin, eight Palestinian terrorists entered the Olympic Village and seized eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team.
The terrorists requested the release of 234 Palestinians that were being held in Israel. With a failed attempt at rescue the 11 atheltes were killed as well as five of the terrorists. -
Montreal "Perfect Nadia"
Montreal’s summer Olympic games, held between July 17 to August 1 1976 deservingly received the worldwide reputation of “The best games ever,(until Barcelona 1992).
“perfect Nadia,” was undoubtedly the star of the games. At 14 years old, 4’11” and 88lbs, Nadia Comaneci of Romania, became the first Olympic gymnast to score a perfect 10 in competition on the uneven bars. She received 7 perfect scores during the games winning her 3 gold medals and both a silver and bronze. -
Lake Placid
The Miracle on Ice. The U.S. defeats the U.S.S.R. in hockey to earn gold in one of the greatest sports upsets of all time. -
Barcelona- Dream Team
-The Dream Team, US olympic basketball team, is thought by many the best team ever assembled
-in 1989, FEBA opened the Olympics to professional players
-beat every team they played by an average of 44 points
-consisted of all-time greats: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird -
Atlanta
-Kerri Strug helped the US women's gymnastic team, "Magnificent 7" win the gold medal for the first time, with an injured ankle
-Michelle Smith, an irish swimmer, wins three gold medals-making her the most decorated women athlete in Ireland
-a terrorist attack at games kills one and injures 111. -
Beijing
-The Games were hosted by six other cities of People's Republic of China.
-US swimmer, Michael Phelps set the record for the most gold medals won in a single olympics
-Usain Bolt "Lightening Bolt," the fastest man alive, won three gold medals with ease.
