Olympic Games Olympic Games held at the Paris Exposition in 1900 and the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis in 1904 were side shows. The Games in Paris did not have a stadium, but were notable for being the first time women took part in the Games. When the St. Louis Games were celebrated roughly 650 athletes participated, but 580 were from the United States. The homogeneous nature of these celebrations was a low point for the Olympic Movement. The Games rebounded when the 1906 Intercalated Games (so-called because they were the second Games held within the third Olympiad) were held in
Participation of women in the Olympics At the Summer Games of the same year held in Helsinki, women were allowed to compete in equestrian for the first time. They competed in the dressage event which was co-ed with the men. Danish equestrian Lis Hartel of Denmark won the silver medal in the individual competition alongside men. At the 1956 Winter Olympics held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the 3 × 5 kilometre relay cross country event was added to the programme. The 1956 Summer Games held in Melbourne, had a programme identical to that of the prior Olympiad. The 1960 Winter Olympics held in Squaw Valley saw the