Olympic Games in Paris 1

The first **Olympic Games in Paris** took place in 1900 and were the second modern Summer Olympic Games.

## Background

The date for the 1900 Games was already mooted for the first presentation, but was seen as being too far in the future at the time hence the proposal for the 1896 event.

## Opening ceremony

There was no opening ceremony for these Games. The IOC, through President Pierre de Coubertin, had handed the Games to the organisers of the World's Fair being held at the same time. This led to some farcical situations that de Coubertin regretted after the fact saying "It's a miracle that the Olympic Movement survived that celebration". Twenty six nations participated although strictly speaking it was actually thirty due to the circumstances of the time.

## Sports

There was an increase in the number of sports for these Olympics. Athletics again provided the most events, increasing from twelve to twenty-three. Shooting increased from five events to eight and swimming increased from four events to seven. Fencing increased from three events to seven and tennis increased from two events to four. Gymnastics however would drop to one event and cycling would drop to three, while weightlifting and wrestling would be dropped.

The new sports were water polo with one event, archery with seven, cricket with one, croquet with three, equestrian with five, football (soccer) with one, golf with two, polo with one, rugby union with one and tug of war with one. Sailing and rowing - after being cancelled in 1896 - went ahead with thirteen events in the former (second overall behind athletics) and the latter with five. The unusual sport of basque pelota was also contested.

## Highlights

There were a number of notable events in these Games. In athletics, American Alvin Kraenzlein won four individual gold medals - a feat that has never been repeated since. The Americans dominated the athletics winning 16 of the 23 gold medals contested, including all of the sprints and all bar one of the field events. Great Britain were next best with three gold medals. The marathon was won by France, although the winner (Michel Théato) was actually from Luxembourg. A mixed team won what was called a team race (now called a relay) over 5,000 metres consisting of four British runners and one Australian.

The 1896 Olympics had been an all male event. In 1900 females participated for the first time. Tennis and golf provided female events with British tennis player Charlotte Cooper winning the first individual gold medal in Olympic history for females. The golf was won by American Margaret Abbott, who did not ever know the event was part of the Olympics (as part of the poor organisation). Swiss (but American born) sailor Hélène de Pourtalès also won gold as part of the team that won gold in the 1 to 2 ton event in sailing. Females also competed in the croquet, but it was against the men and not in a separate competition.

The swimming was controversial - in that the meet was held in the River Seine. It meant that the current was a potential problem, and the meet was held with it meaning times were faster than usual.

## Closing ceremony

There was also no closing ceremony for the Games for the reasons previously mentioned.