The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. The event took place in Athens, Greece, from 6 to 15 April, reviving the Olympic tradition in a modern international form.
French educator Pierre de Coubertin was a leading force behind the revival and helped establish the International Olympic Committee in 1894. Athens was selected as the host for the inaugural Games, linking the modern event to the ancient Olympic Games held at Olympia. The 1896 program included athletics, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, shooting, swimming, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.
About 241 athletes from 14 nations competed, although participation records and definitions of national representation differ from modern Olympic statistics. Women were not permitted to compete in the 1896 Games. The marathon was introduced at these Games, inspired by the ancient story of Pheidippides, although the event’s distance was not yet standardized at today’s 42.195 kilometres.