Olympics History by Arianna Massey

Olympic origins

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The first written records of the ancient Olympic Games date to 776 B.C., when a cook named Coroebus won the only event—a 192-meter footrace called the stade (the origin of the modern “stadium”)—to become the first Olympic champion.

Modern Olympics

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The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. In the opening ceremony, King Georgios I and a crowd of 60,000 spectators welcomed 280 participants from 12 nations (all male), who would compete in 43 events, including track and field, gymnastics, swimming, wrestling, cycling, tennis, weightlifting, shooting and fencing.

1950s

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Don Thompson Wins Gold in Race Walking: British race walker Don Thompson won gold in the 50km race walk at the Melbourne Games. His victory was notable not only for his athleticism but also for his display of endurance and commitment to the demanding event.

1960s

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Tommy Smith and John Carlos' Black Power Salute: During the medal ceremony for the 200m race, American sprinters Tommy Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in a Black Power salute, making a powerful statement against racial inequality and civil rights injustices.

1970s

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Nadia Comăneci's Perfect 10: Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci scored the first-ever perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics history during the Montreal Games. Her performance in the uneven bars was a groundbreaking moment that set a new standard for the sport.

1980s

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Carl Lewis' Four Gold Medals: Carl Lewis won four gold medals in track and field (100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, and long jump), matching Jesse Owens' 1936 record of four gold medals in a single Olympics. Lewis' performances solidified his place as one of the greatest track athletes of all time.

1990s

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"Dream Team" Basketball Dominates: The U.S. men’s basketball team, known as the "Dream Team," featuring NBA stars like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, won gold with a series of dominating performances. Their exceptional skill and teamwork revolutionized international basketball.