Modern Olympics began in Athens on 5 April 1896 with 13 countries participating. Know its historic significance for current affairs March 2025 and exam prep.

129 Years of Modern Olympics: A Historic Beginning in Athens

Source: Atharva Examwise Current News | Daily GK Update – March 2025

The modern Olympic Games, which have become the pinnacle of international sports, began 129 years ago in Athens, Greece, on 5 April 1896. While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) originally planned the event for 1900, a critical decision brought the Olympics to life much earlier — a moment that shaped global sports history.

The Vision of Pierre de Coubertin: Father of the Modern Olympics

In 1892, the IOC had proposed to hold the modern Olympic Games in 1900. However, Pierre de Coubertin, known as the father of the modern Olympics, feared that an 8-year wait could weaken the movement's momentum. To avoid this, he suggested an earlier event, preferably at Olympia, the site of the ancient games.

Due to poor connectivity in Olympia, Athens was chosen instead — a city that too faced economic difficulties. This is when a generous Greek businessman, Georgios Averoff, stepped in with a large financial donation, making the first modern Olympics possible.

1896 Athens Olympics: The First Modern International Sports Event

The first modern Olympic Games featured participation from 13 countries, including:

USA, UK, Germany, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, and others.

A total of 280 athletes competed, but notably, only men were allowed. The event included 9 sports, which were:

Athletics

Swimming

Gymnastics

Cycling

Tennis

Weightlifting

Wrestling

Shooting

Fencing

The tremendous success of the 1896 Olympics set the stage for the tradition of holding the Olympic Games every four years, continuing till today.

Key Takeaways

The modern Olympics began on 5 April 1896 in Athens, Greece.

Originally planned for 1900, but held earlier due to Pierre de Coubertin's initiative.

Athens was chosen over Olympia due to better connectivity.

Greek businessman Georgios Averoff financed the event.

13 countries participated with 280 male athletes.

9 sports were featured in the first edition.

This marked the beginning of the four-year Olympic cycle.

Why This Matters for Exams

This historical milestone connects sports history, international relations, and global culture — important themes in UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other exams. Knowing when and how the modern Olympics began is part of understanding global current affairs, especially under the lens of Current Affairs March 2025 and Daily GK Update.

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