Today is the 125th Anniversary of the 'Games of the I Olympiad' held in 1896.  Athens hosted the inaugural modern day Olympic Games.  Organised by the International Olympic Committee, IOC, which had been created by Pierre de Coubertin, the Games were held in Athens from 6th to 15th April 1896.  Officially known as the 'Games of the I Olympiad', they were the first International Olympic Games held in modern history, with 243 athletes from 14 countries taking part.  Greece won the most medals overall, with the highlight being the victory by Spyridon Louis from Greece, running the long-distance Marathon, in the final race which finished in the white marble Panathenaic Stadium, specially built for the Olympiad.  Each event winner was awarded a silver medal, the runner-up got bronze, nothing for third. 

Picture Gallery