The first Olympic Games – 1986
The first Olympic Games – 1986
27.04.2020 08:47
In the afternoon of April 6, 1896, at the marble stadium, where about 80 thousand people gathered, a cannon shot hit and the solemn sounds of the Olympic anthem sounded. They responded with an echo far beyond the hills framing the city. In deep silence, the words of the Greek king George I were heard:
I announce the first international Olympic Games in Athens open!
At the 1896 Summer Olympics, women were not allowed to participate.
Athletics athletes from 9 countries took part in 12 species at 12 types. The largest number of species – 9 – won representatives of the United States.
11 species took place in the marble stadium, which turned out to be inconvenient for runners. At ancient games, the competitions were held not in a circle, but in a straight line (in the run at more than 1 stages, participants at the opposite end of the stadium turned back). During the reconstruction, the stadium was not expanded, so the circular path turned out to be elongated with very steep turns, which reduced speed. In addition, the path was too soft.
In running 100 meters and 400 meters, the American Tom Burk won, the only participants used a low start, which at first caused ridicule of the audience. Running 800 meters and 1,500 meters was won by the only Australian at Teddy Flack's games, and a 100 meters run with barriers – American Thomas Curtis.
All jumping species were won by the Americans – Elleri Clark (high -height and length), Wells Hoyt (pole jumps) and James Konnoli (triple jump). Competitions in a triple jump ended on April 6 earlier than other types of Olympic program, and Konnoli became the first Olympic champion of our time.
In the throwing of the disk, having antique roots, the Greeks counted on victory: international competitions in it were not held before the games of 1896, and Greek athletes were preparing in the training camp for several months. However, having entered the leaders in the last attempt, the American Robert Garrett won, who first saw how the disk was throwing, a few days before the competition. He also won the pushing of the nucleus; In addition to this, 2nd place in high jumps, he became the most titled athlete of games.
Another view passed outside the stadium – the race along the legendary route from the city of Marathon to Athens (40 km), which was called the marathon. He was won by Greek Spiridon Luis, who became a national hero at home.