The 1896 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the I Olympiad and commonly known as Athens 1896, was the first international Olympic Games held in modern history. Organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which had been created by French aristocrat Pierre de Coubertin, it was held in Athens, Greece, from 6 to 15 April 1896.
Cover of the official report for the 1896 Summer Olympics
Demetrius Vikelas, the first president of the International Olympic Committee, was credited with the successful organisation of the 1896 Games
The opening ceremony in the Panathenaic Stadium
Frenchmen Léon Flameng (left) and Paul Masson won four cycling events
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is a non-governmental sports organisation based in Lausanne, Switzerland.
IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland
Current IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The main entrance of the former headquarters of the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne
The first IOC, at the 1896 Athens Games