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How many people participated in the first Olympics compared to now

About 14 people Participated in the first Olympics and in the 2016 Olympics 11,237 People participated

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On April 6, 1896, the first modern Olympic Games are held in Athens, Greece, with athletes from 14 countries participating.

The International Olympic Committee met for the first time in Paris in June 1984 and chose Greece as the site of the inaugural modern Olympiad. The ancient games are believed to have originated in 776 B.C. in Olympia, Greece, where athletes competed in one event: a foot race. Over the years, other events were added, including chariot racing, boxing, wrestling and the pentathlon. Participants, who were all young men from Greek city-states and colonies, often battled it out in the buff, as a way to celebrate the human body, and winners received olive branches. The last ancient Olympics are thought to have taken place in A.D. 393.

At the first modern Olympics, 241 male athletes (and no women) representing 14 nations competed in 43 events. America's James Connolly became the first modern Olympic champion when he won the triple jump on the opening day of the Games. For his achievement, he was awarded a silver medal and an olive branch. Connolly later finished second in the high-jump event and took third in the long jump.

France, Great Britain, Germany and Greece had the largest number of athletes participating. Nevertheless, the U.S. took home the most first-place finishes (11) of any nation, followed by Greece (10) and Germany (6). All told, America placed first, second or third in 20 events while Greece scored in 46 events and Germany placed in 13 competitions. To the delight of the hometown crowd, Greek runner Spyridon Louis won the marathon. The first Olympiad closed on April 15, 1896.

The second Olympiad was held in Paris in 1900 with 997 athletes (22 of them women) from 24 countries competing in 95 events. The U.S. hosted the Olympics for the first time in 1904, in St. Louis. The third Olympiad marked the first time gold, silver and bronze medals were given out to first, second and third-place finishers.

Starting in 1992, the summer and winter games, which had traditionally been held in the same year every four years, took place two years apart. The Summer Games returned to Athens in 2004, with 10,625 athletes (4,329 women and 6,296 men) from 201 nations participating in 301 events.

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third olympics gold silver bronze medals

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First modern Olympics is held - Apr 06, 1896 - HISTORY.com

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On April 6, 1896, the first modern Olympic Games are held in Athens, Greece, with athletes from 14 countries participating. The International Olympic Committee met for the first time in Paris in June 1984 and chose Greece as the site of the...

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How much does the winter Olympics cost? (2014)

About 51 Billion dollars (US)

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The 2014 Winter Olympics, officially called the XXII Olympic Winter Games (French: Les XXIIes Jeux olympiques d'hiver ) (Russian: XXII Олимпийские зимние игры, XXII Olimpiyskiye zimniye igry ) and commonly known as Sochi 2014, were a major international multi-sport event held from 7 to 23 February 2014 in Sochi, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, with opening rounds in certain events held on the eve of the opening ceremony, 6 February 2014.

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Are the Olympic gold metals really made out of gold?

No they are not because they are made of 92.5% Silver

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What do you think Olympic medals are made of? Are the Olympic gold medals really gold? They used to be solid gold, but now Olympic gold medals are made from something else. Here's a look at the metal composition of Olympic medals and how the medals have changed over time.

The last Olympic gold medal that was actually made from gold was awarded in 1912. So, if Olympic gold medals aren't gold, then what are they?

The specific composition and design of Olympic medals is determined by the host city's organizing committee. However, certain standards must be maintained:

Gold and silver medals are 92.5% silver.

Gold medals must be plated with at least 6 grams of gold.

All Olympic medals must be at least 3 mm thick and at least 60 mm in diameter.

Bronze medals are bronze, an alloy of copper and usually tin. It's worth noting that gold, silver, and bronze medals have not always been awarded. At the 1896 Olympic Games, the winners were awarded silver medals, while the runners-up got bronze medals. The winners at the 1900 Olympics received trophies or cups instead of medals. The custom of awarding gold, silver, and bronze medals started at the 1904 Olympics. After the 1912 Olympics, the gold medals have been gilded silver rather than real gold.

Although the Olympic gold medal is more silver than gold, there are gold medals that are really gold, such as the Congressional Gold Medal and Nobel Prize Medal.

Before 1980 the Nobel Prize medal was made from 23 carat gold. Newer Nobel Prize medals are 18 carat green gold plated with 24 carat gold.

2016 Rio Summer Olympics Medal Composition

The 2016 Summer Olympics featured eco-friendly metals. The gold metal used in the gold medals was free of mercury contamination.

Mercury and gold are notoriously difficult elements to separate from each other. The sterling silver used for the silver medals was partly recycled (about 30% by mass). Part of the copper used to make the bronze for the bronze medals was also recycled.

More Olympic Science

How Much Is the Olympic Gold Medal Worth?
Are Olympic Gold Medals Real Gold?
Olympics Science Projects and Topics
Olympic Rings Chemistry Demonstration

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Are Olympic Medals Made Out of Pure Gold?

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What do you think Olympic medals are made of? Are the Olympic gold medals really gold? They used to be solid gold, but now Olympic gold medals are made from something else. Here's a look at the metal composition of Olympic medals and how the medals have changed over time.

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How many Olympic gold metals have they given out in the 2016 Olympics?

307 (Kinda) Golden metals

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RIO DE JANEIRO - The Rio 2016 Olympic Games drew to a close Sunday following 17 days of competition between more than 10,900 athletes representing 206 nations. The Rio Games, which marked the first Olympics to be held in South America - saw Team USA top the medal chart in every category for only the seventh time in Olympic history and the first since 1948, leading all nations with 121 medals, including 46 golds, 37 silvers and 38 bronzes. The U.S. is one of only five nations to have accomplished the feat at the Olympic Games in summer competition and the first to do in 40 years.

Team USA's 121 medals are the most ever for a U.S. team in a non-boycotted Games, topping the previous high of 110 from Beijing in 2008.

"The Rio Games were very special and we're incredibly happy to be where we are from a results standpoint and celebrating the success of our athletes," said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. "These Games will be defined by the inspiring performances of our athletes, the images of them on the podium and the success of the Organizing Committee."

The winning campaign extended Team USA's reign atop the overall medal chart to six straight Games, dating back to 1996. Overall, 210 American athletes contributed to the medal count, including 32 multiple medalists and 13 who won multiple gold medals. Of the 27 sports in which U.S. athletes competed, the U.S. brought home hardware in 20.

"I don't think there's anything better than having the opportunity to hang gold medals on American athletes and listen to the Star-Spangled Banner," said USOC Chairman Larry Probst. "Overall, these have been a terrific Games - the venues have been spectacular and the volunteers were very friendly and did a fantastic job."

For the second straight Olympics, China finished second with 70 medals (26 golds), ahead of Great Britain, which completed the Games with 67 medals (27 golds) to rank third among all nations. Team USA's 51-medal margin of victory is the second largest at a non-boycotted Olympics, ranking second behind its previous high of 61 in 1924.

"This has been an incredible Games for Team USA by any measure, and I'm so proud and amazed by the spectacular performances of our athletes, the quality our coaching and the way our organization came together to support them," said Alan Ashley, USOC chief of sport performance and Team USA chef de mission. "There have been so many first-time performances by so many athletes in different sports and our hats go off to the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee for creating an environment in which our athletes could thrive and reach their potential."

Team USA collected the most medals in swimming and track and field, combining for 65 podium finishes across the two sports - the most since 1972 and tied for fourth-best of all time.

U.S. swimmers topped all nations in both the overall (33) and gold-medal (16) charts - marking the team's greatest medal haul since 2000. Winning five of the six relays, the U.S. garnered nearly half of the 34 gold medals up for grabs, while no other country won more than three.

Making his fifth - and what he says is his last - Olympic appearance, Michael Phelps further cemented his legacy as the greatest Olympian of all time with 23 gold medals and 28 overall. With five golds and one silver, the 2016 Games marked the fourth straight in which Phelps led all multi-medalists across all nations and sports dating back to 2004. Sharing the spotlight in the pool was teenage phenom Katie Ledecky, who set two world records en route to winning four golds and one silver and became only the second swimmer to sweep the 200-, 400- and 800-meter freestyle titles at a single Games.

American athletes also impressed in track and field, winning 32 medals and 13 golds, highlighted by the first-ever U.S. podium sweep in the women's 100-meter hurdles from Brianna Rollins, Nia Ali and Kristi Castlin. Taking their place in history, Allyson Felix took home three medals to become the all-time winningest woman in Olympic track and field with six golds and nine overall, while Ashton Eaton tied an Olympic record to become the first U.S. decathlete to repeat as Olympic champion since Bob Mathias (1948 and 1952).

The U.S. women's gymnastics team was equally spectacular, winning nine medals and surpassing the team's previous high of eight from the 2008 Games in Beijing and 1984 Games in Los Angeles. Propelled by four medals from individual all-around champion Simone Biles, the nine medals are the most won by any nation since 1972 (Soviet Union, 10). Widely considered the best gymnast of her generation, Biles became the first American gymnast to win four golds at a single Games, helping Team USA medal in every event for the first time since 1984.

"This experience has been the dream of a lifetime for me and my team, and I consider it a privilege to represent my country, the United States Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics," said Biles, who was selected by her peers to lead the U.S. delegation into the Closing Ceremony. "My first Olympic experience just keeps getting better and I want to thank Brazil for hosting an incredible Games."
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Multi-medalists Biles, Felix and Ledecky were among a strong contingent of American women, who for the second straight Olympics, set a record with 61 medals, exceeding its previous high of 58 from London in 2012. Had American women competed as their own country, they would have ranked fourth among all nations in the overall medal chart and tied for second in the gold-medal count with 27. Highlighting the list of firsts by American women, Gwen Jorgensen and Helen Maroulis gave the U.S its first gold medals in triathlon and women's wrestling, while Kim Rhode (shooting) became the first woman from any nation to win a medal at six straight Olympic Games. Kayla Harrison (judo) and Claressa Shields (boxing) became the first Americans in their respective sports to successfully defend their Olympic titles, while Kerri Walsh Jennings (beach volleyball) and Venus Williams (tennis) became the most decorated Olympic female athletes in their sport with four and five medals apiece.

"Title IX paved the way and created so many opportunities for women in sport," said Felix. "I feel so proud and so inspired by the strong women on our team. It's such an amazing group to be a part of and I think about all the images of successful women reaching young girls back at home - those are the things that last. These performances will inspire future Olympians, and I am just so humbled and honored to be a part of these amazing women."

American women also delivered some of the most memorable moments of the Rio Games. On the same night of Phelps' last career race, the U.S. women's 400-meter medley relay team of Kathleen Baker, Lilly King, Simone Manuel and Dana Vollmer made history by securing the 1,000th gold medal for Team USA at the Olympic Games in summer competition. The milestone highlighted Team USA's sustained competitive excellence, dating back to the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Additionally, Manuel made history by becoming the first African-American woman to win Olympic gold in swimming, while fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad became the first U.S. athlete to compete at the Olympic Games in a hijab. Also proving mettle without a color, American 5,000-meter runner Abbey D'Agostino received the Rio 2016 Fair Play Award, along with fellow runner Nikki Hamblin (New Zealand) and the Norwegian men's handball team.

Of the 210 Americans who earned medals in Rio, nearly 85 percent competed in NCAA collegiate athletics, with the majority of those coming in swimming, track and field, and team sports. Overall, the U.S. collected 28 medals in team events, including three golds (basketball and water polo) and two bronzes (indoor volleyball) in traditional team sports. Highlighting the list of team accomplishments, the U.S. women's eight extended its gold-medal reign to 11 straight Olympic and world championship titles, winning its third straight Olympic gold medal in Rio. The U.S. also continued its winning traditions in basketball and water polo. Led by tournament MVP Maggie Steffens, the U.S. women's water polo team became the first to successfully defend its Olympic title and the only nation to medal at each of the five Olympic Games since the sport debuted in 2000. A day later, the U.S. women's basketball team extended its Olympic women's record to six straight Olympics titles and eight overall.

With the U.S. men's basketball team winning its third consecutive gold medal - and 15th overall - on the final day of competition, the Rio Games also marked the first time Team USA won both the first and last gold medal at a summer edition of the Olympics. Shooter Ginny Thrasher helped the U.S. to a strong start on day one, setting an Olympic record to claim the first gold medal awarded in Rio.

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team usa concludes record-breaking rio 2016 olympic games with 121 medals 46 golds

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how many medals did team usa win in rio?

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Team USA Concludes Record-Breaking Rio 2016 Olympic Games With 121 Medals, 46 Golds

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RIO DE JANEIRO - The Rio 2016 Olympic Games drew to a close Sunday following 17 days of competition between more than 10,900 athletes representing 206 nations.

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How much money did it cost to make the summer Olympics (2016)

It costed around 12 Billion dollars but it could eventually round up to 20 billion

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The Rio 2016 Olympics kicked off last week (Aug. 5) with the pomp and circumstance we've come to expect from opening ceremonies. For the next two weeks, millions will watch the best athletes in the world compete for glory and national pride. And yet, when all the gold medals have been awarded and the torch has been blown out, the question on many people's minds will doubtless be: "Was it worth the money?"

At the moment, the cost for Rio is estimated at around $4.6 billion. And that's without factoring in another $1.6 billion in estimated budget overages. The total is still far, far lower than the cost of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, but it's not exactly pennies for a country mired in an economic downturn. Setting Russia's excessive and cost-ineffective Games aside, examining what happened in London in 2012 might be a better way to try to predict what Rio's eventual balance sheet will look like.

The London example

Turns out it's very difficult to measure the effects of a mega-event like the Olympics. The London Summer Games cost around $15 billion, including infrastructure costs. While also less than Sochi, the London Games ended up running far over budget, according to a report released by Oxford's Said Business School.

But that still doesn't necessarily mean the Games were bad for London's bottom line. From a holistic standpoint, the Games were a smash. British athletes combined for a stunning 29 gold medals and 65 total-their best tally since 1908. The city was in a celebratory mood, and on the surface everything seemed to be working just as it should.

"It's almost like a bit of creative accounting. There's no way of testing whether what they're saying is really true." In 2013, basking in the afterglow of a successful games, the city was eager to view its project though rose-tinted glasses. A governmental survey estimated that the Olympics will end up will bringing Great Britain tens of billions of pounds by 2020. However, this figure has raised some eyebrows. "It's almost like a bit of creative accounting. There's no way of testing whether what they're saying is really true," said sports economist Stefan Szymanski to the BBC at the time.

"The construction of the Olympic Park in particular provided a major stimulus to the construction sector at a time when it had been hard hit by the recession," the report's authors noted. "Developments in East London such as Westfield that have been catalyzed by the Olympic Park development have generated further benefits for the local area."

One of London's biggest success stories has been its use of Olympic facilities. The government ensured that the Olympic Stadium, for example, would be turned into a state-of-the-art 60,000 seat soccer stadium, which will now host Premier League soccer team West Ham United. Extraordinarily, West Ham-which recently received millions as part of a Premier League TV deal- will only have to pay £20 million for the £270 million refit. British taxpayers will pick up the tab for the rest.

Back to Brazil

Despite the optimistic outlook in London, Andrew Zimbalist, a sports economist who has studied the Olympics extensively, says there just isn't much data to support the idea that the costs of the Olympics are made up over time. More concerning, however, are the unreported costs of the games. As Zimbalist noted in an editorial for the Huffington Post, the cost for the games could end up being closer to $20 billion because of the muddled arithmetic used by city officials and Olympics organizers:

So, how do we understand what the real cost is? First, there are essentially three buckets of money that are used to host the Olympics: operations costs, including security; venue construction or renovation costs; and infrastructure costs. Many press articles refer only to the operations costs, which account for spending during the 17 days of the Games and the temporary venues. Others refer to operations plus venues, and still others refer to all three.

And Brazil, unlike London, struggled much more obviously from the start. The nation's economic woes and infamous governmental corruption aside, its games have been plagued by bad publicity. A string of major athletes refused to come to Rio due to fears over the mosquito-borne Zika virus. Guanabara Bay, where the sailing events will take place, is full of sewage. And a potential strike by police over unpaid wages has led to security concerns.

Meanwhile, many Brazilians have been left to wonder what would have happened if those billions had been put to other uses. A national spectacle may be good for morale, but it can also create resentment.

CBS News spoke with Felipe Paiva, who lives in a Rio favela."All this money being spent on the Olympics-is anything getting better for you or the people in the favelas?" Paiva said. "The investment is not for us, it's for the foreigners."

In the face of international criticism, Rio mayor Eduardo Paes remains publicly confident, however. " I'm getting all the flak for the problems of the Olympics, I'm the one who did practically everything," he told the Los Angeles Times, adding that Rio was never meant to be a cure for his country's ills. "We never said we'd solve all of Rio's or Brazil's problems. We said the Olympics would make progress on some problems."

For Paes' sake-and his constituents-it had better.
Alex on Twitter at @viewfromamerica. We welcome your comments at ideas@qz.com.

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Is hosting the Olympics ever worth the cost?

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The Rio 2016 Olympics kicked off last week (Aug. 5) with the pomp and circumstance we've come to expect from opening ceremonies. For the next two weeks, millions will watch the best athletes in the world compete for glory and national pride. And yet, when all the gold medals have been awarded and the torch has...

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How has the Olympics evolved over the years