The first modern Olympics was held in Athens, Greece in 1896 from April 6 - April 15. 241 athletes participated in 43 different events from 14 different countries. The events that the athletes participated in were: athletics, road cycling, track cycling, fencing, artistic gymnastics, shooting, swimming, tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling greco-roman style. The 14 countries that participated were: Germany, France, United States of America, Great Britain, Australia, Hungary, Switzerland, Denmark, Greece, Austria, Bulgaria, Chile, Italy, and Sweden.
James Connolly, from America, was the first modern champion. He won the triple jump on April 6, 1896.
First place winners received a diploma, a silver medal, and an olive branch. Second place winners received a diploma, a copper medal, and a branch of laurel.
During the swimming races, because they did not have swimming pools for the longer races, swimmers were brought to the required distance out to sea and were required to swim back to shore.
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