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Jan 1, 776
First Olympics
First recorded evidence of the ancient Olympic games. -
Ancient Olympia site found
Englishman Richard Chandler discovered the site of ancient Olympia. -
IOC founded
The International Olympic Committee was founded by Baron Pierre de Coubertin who took the title of President of the committee. -
First Modern Olympic Games
The first modern Olympic games was held in Athens, Greece. All winners were presented with an olive branch and a silver medal. -
Women competed for the first time
Women competed for the first time. -
Gold, silver and bronze medals were introduced.
Winners of events were given a gold medal, second place a silver medal and third place a bronze medal. -
Olympic Rings
Pierre de Coubertin designed the Olympic symbol of 5 interlocking rings. -
Cancelled
Due to World War One(WWI) the Olympic games were cancelled. -
Winter Olympics
The first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix France -
Olympic Flame first lit
The Olympic flame was lit for the first time and burned throughout the entire competition -
Lake Placid, USA
First Winter Olympics in America -
First televised Olympics
First Olympics to be televised, however the footage could only be watched on local television. Basketball became an Olympic sport for the first time and was won by the USA. -
Cancelled
Cancelled due to World War Two -
Cancelled
Cancelled due to World War Two -
Winter Olympics
Snow had to be imported into the country before the games could even begin. -
Tokyo, Japan
First Olympics held in Asia -
Boycotted
31 nations boycotted the games as a protest against the New Zealand rugby team's recent game with South Africa -
Western boycott, Summer Olympics
61 Nations refused to compete in these games as a protest against Russia's invasion of Afghanistan. -
Olympics banned
The Roman Emperor, Theodosius I, banned the Olympics.