The first Modern Olympic Games ended 116 years ago. Athletes from 14 countries performed their best in competitions of nine Olympic sports: Artistic Gymnastics, Cycling (road and track), Fencing, Shooting, Swimming, Weightlifting and Wrestling (Greek Roman).

At the end of the 19th century, the Baron of Coubertin had the idea of reinventing the Ancient Olympic Games in a version that would include the participation of athletes from all over the globe; the previous editions of the Games allowed the participation of male Greek athletes only in the competitions.

After his proposal was officially approved at the first Olympic Congress held in 1894, the election of the host city was unanimous. Fourteen centuries later, the stage of the Ancient Olympic Games received the first Modern Olympic Games, which started on 6 April and ended on 15 April, 1896.

For the Baron of Coubertin, the rebirth of the Olympic Games was not only a dream; it was also a consequence of 19th century’s scientific and cultural advancements.

“Men have begun to lead less isolated existences, different races have learnt to know, to understand each other better, and by comparing their powers and achievements in the fields of art, industry and science, a noble rivalry has sprung up amongst them, urging them on to greater accomplishments”, says the Baron in the introduction of the 1896 Olympic Games Official Report , already presenting the concepts of what would be the Olympism values later: respect, friendship and excellence.

An Olympic Hymn was created

An Olympic Hymn, composed by Spiros Samaras (music) and Kostis Palamas (lyrics), was played for the first time at the I Olympiad in 1896.  In the Games which followed, a number of songs were played during the ceremonies held until the 1960 Games, when the Samaras/Palamas song became the Official Olympic Hymn (decision made by the IOC Session of 1958).

Check out the lyrics:
 

Immortal spirit of antiquity,
Father of the true, beautiful and good,
Descend, appear, shed over us thy light
Upon this ground and under this sky
Which has first witnessed thy unperishable fame

Give life and animation to these noble games!
Throw wreaths of fadeless flowers to the victors
In the race and in the strife
Create in our breasts, hearts of steel!

In thy light, plains, mountains and seas
Shine in a roseate hue and form a vast temple
To which all nations throng to adore thee,
Oh immortal spirit of antiquity.       

The evolution of the Olympic Games

In 116 years, not only the competition rules underwent changes. Uniforms, equipment, celebrating events, they all accompanied the technological and cultural evolution of the 20th and 21st centuries. The Olympic Games won an increasing number of sport fans, women made their debut in female events, the Paralympic Games joined the events, and the Winter and Youth Olympic Games became part of the calendar.

- Athens 1896 Olympic Games: first Olympic Games of the Modern Era.

- 1900 Paris Olympic Games: women make their debut in the Cricket competitions.

- 1904 Saint Louis Olympic Games: gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the first, second and third places, respectively.

- 1908 London Olympic Games: for the first time, a stadium is especially built for the Games, and the Swimming competitions are not held in open water.

- 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games: automatic counters are used in track events, athletes from the five continents perform in the Games for the first time.

- 1916 Berlin Olympic Games: the Games are cancelled due to the First World War.

- 1920 Antwerp Olympic Games: the athletes take an oath, and the Olympic flag is raised for the first time.

- 1924 Chamonix Winter Olympic Games: the first Winter Olympic Games.

- 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games: the first Olympic torch is lit.

- 1932 Angeles Olympic Games: initial creation of the format of today’s games, whose period ranges between 15 and 18 days. Athletes are accommodated in the same venue, at the Olympic Village, and the winner’s flag is raised during the award ceremony.

- 1936 Berlin Olympic Games: the first Games to be broadcast on television.  First Olympic Torch Relay ever held.

- 1948 London Olympic Games: starting blocks for athletes in sprint races are introduced.

- 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games: Israel and Soviet Union participate in the Olympic Games for the first game.

- 1956 Melbourne/Stockholm Olympic Games: first Games to be held in the Southern Hemisphere. Melbourne won the right to stage the Games; however, the rigid Australian quarantine laws did not allow the entry of foreign horses; therefore, Equestrian events were  held in Stockholm.

- 1960 Rome Olympic Games: for the first time, the Paralympic Games are held right after the Olympic Games.

- 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games: the Olympic Games are held for the first time in Asia.  The first official Fair Play Trophy is awarded.

- 1968 Mexico Olympic Games:  the Olympic Torch is lit by a woman for the first time during the Opening Ceremony. The antidoping test is introduced.

- 1972 Munich Olympic Games: the official Olympic oath is first sworn.

- 1976 Montreal Olympic Games: Women’s Basketball, Rowing and Handball events make their debut in the Olympic Games.

- 1980 Moscow Olympic Games: the world record in high jump is broken.

- 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games: model for the future Games in terms of sponsorship fundraising.  Women-only competitions make their debut, such as Rhythmic Gymnastics and Synchronized Swimming.

- 1988 Seoul Olympic Games: Table Tennis is first staged in the Olympic Games. Tennis is reinserted in the programme after a 64-year interval, and is open to professional athletes.

- 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games: Men’s Basketball events accept enrolment of professional athletes.  Baseball makes its debut as a sport, and Badminton and Women’s Judo competitions are included in the programme.

- 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games:  all 197 National Olympic Committees at that time took part in the Olympic Games for the first time.  Beach Volleyball, Mountain Bike, Lightweight Rowing and Women’s Football make their debut in the Olympic Games.

- 2000 Sydney Olympic Games: Triathlon and Taekwondo make their debut in the Olympic Games.

- 2004 Athens Olympic Games: women make their debut in the Wrestling and sabre (Fencing) competitions.

- 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: 10 km Aquatic Marathon and BMX disciplines make their debut in the Olympic Games, with the participation of 204 International Olympic Committees, a record!

- 2012 Singapore Youth Olympic Games: first Youth Olympic Games ever!