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394
A.D.
Roman Emperor Theodosius I abolishes the Games, as part of a series of reforms against pagan practices. -
Jan 1, 776
Acient Grece
Athletic contests are held at Olympia every four years, between August 6 and September 19. Records reach back as far as 776 B.C., but it is generally accepted that the Olympic Games had already been held for several centuries before that. The Games originally consist only of foot races. Other events are gradually added, starting with wrestling and the pentathlon. -
International Olympic Committee
At the urging of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is founded. -
The first modern Olympic games
14 countries are represented by about 245 men, competing in 43 events. No women compete, as de Coubertin feels that their inclusion would be "impractical, uninteresting, unaesthetic, and incorrect." -
Paris games
The second modern Games are overshadowed by, and incorporated into, the Paris Exposition. 1,319 men from 26 countries compete in 75 events, although it's not entirely clear—even to some of the participants—which events are actually part of the Olympics. Eleven women are allowed to compete in lawn tennis and golf. -
St. Louis Games
Only 13 countries show up. Fred Lorz rides in a car for eleven miles during the marathon, but is briefly taken as being the winner anyway. -
Intercalated games
The first, last, and only Intercalated Games are held in Athens, as the Greeks plan to hold interim Games between Olympics every four years. While these bolster the Olympics' flagging reputation, medals won here are considered unofficial by the IOC. -
London games
The 1906 eruption of Mt. Vesuvius requires the Games to move from Rome to London. For the first time, athletes march into the stadium behind their nations' flags. There are more than 2,000 competitors in more than 100 events. Italian Dorando Pietri needs to be helped across the finish line of the marathon, but is declared the winner before being disqualified in favor of Johnny Hayes of the U.S. -
Stockholm games
American Jim Thorpe dominates the Games, taking the gold in the pentathlon and decathlon. Finland begins its domination of long-distance running events, as Hannes Kolehmainen picks up three gold medals and a silver. Women compete in swimming events for the first time, but none of them are from America, which bars its female athletes from competing in events without long skirts. -
Jim Thorphes
Jim Thorpe's medals are taken away, when it is discovered that he was paid $25 a week for playing baseball in 1909 and 1910. The Olympics are strictly limited to amateur players. -
Games cancelled
Games cancelled due to World War I. -
Anterwerp games
The Olympic flag is introduced, as is the Olympic oath. Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Turkey are not invited, having been on the wrong side of the Great War. Distance runner Paavo Nurmi wins three medals for Finland. Figure-skating events are held for the second time, and ice hockey for the first. Philip Noel-Baker of Great Britain takes the silver in the 1500-meter dash; he later becomes the only Olympian ever to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. -
Paris summer games
Originally planned to take place in Amsterdam, the Games are moved to Paris at the urging of Baron de Coubertin. He's about to retire, and wants to see them in his homeland one last time. Germany is still banned, but the other four nations banned in 1920 are back. Paavo Nurmi wins five gold medals; his teammate, Ville Ritola, wins four. Johnny Weissmuller wins three golds and a bronze in water-based events; he later becomes known for playing Tarzan. -
Chamonix winter games
The "International Winter Sports Week" takes place in Chamonix, and is dominated by the Scandanavians. Two years later, this is retroactively given the status of the first Olympic Winter Games. Due to an error in computing the scores, American Anders Haugen is placed in fourth in ski jumping, behind Norway's Thorleif Haug. This is discovered in 1974, and Haugen is awarded the bronze in a special ceremony. -
St Moris winter games
The Winter Games are plagued with warm weather, slowing some events and cancelling the 10,000-meter speed-skating race. Sonja Henie and Dick Button
Gillis Grafström of Sweden wins the last of his three consecutive gold medals in figure skating; Norwegian Sonja Henie will equal that feat, winning the first of her three consecutive gold medals in figure skating here at the age of 15.
