7 April 1896: Let the modern Games begin

Athens is chosen to host the first modern Olympics as the Games returns to its ancient birthplace
Olympics 1896
Men's 100 metres, 1896 Olympic Games, Athens, Greece. Photograph: Popperfoto/ Getty Images PPP

The all-marble Panathenaic Stadium was chosen by the Greeks to host the games, but the venue had an ancient track with very sharp corners which forced the sprinters to slow down to stay in their lanes. The 1896 Olympics is also remembered for being the first games to organise a marathon race. The endurance event set off from the Greek town of Marathon and was won by Spyridon Louis, a Greek. As Olympic champion he was awarded a silver medal, an olive branch and a diploma. The games lasted just over a week and attracted 280 male competitors (women were not allowed to compete until Paris 1900). Male athletes from the United States dominated the track and field, winning 9 events from 12.