Buzz
As the London Olympics commence in just 10 hours, the iconic five rings are alive with excitement. Since 1896, the Olympics have been a consistent global event, enduring like the eternal flame of the torch. Through wars, civil rights struggles, and personal tragedies, the games have persisted, showcasing the best athletes from each nation and the strongest countries overall. For those preoccupied with more urgent issues than javelin throws, pole vaults, or relay races, these relentless athletes serve as a powerful source of motivation and optimism. Yet, this dependable platform for national pride wasn’t always present. Like humanity, the Olympics have evolved tremendously since their inception. Here are ten historic firsts in Olympic history.
10. First Recorded Games
The earliest documented Olympic Games took place in Olympia, Greece, in 776 B.C. (though they may have occurred earlier, no written evidence exists to confirm this). During this time, Greece was polytheistic, and the games were held to honor Zeus and celebrate human excellence. Unlike today’s global event, the ancient games were exclusive to Greeks, primarily men, and featured fewer events—such as pentathlons, running, wrestling, boxing, and various equestrian competitions—alongside numerous oxen sacrifices. These pagan games were eventually abolished by Theodosius I in 394 A.D., as Christianity rose to prominence.
9. First Champion
The inaugural Olympic champion was a runner who competed nude, as was customary in the ancient games. He triumphed in the sole event of the time, the “stade,” a race spanning approximately 600 feet (180 meters). This victorious athlete, Coroebus, hailed from Elis and worked as a cook.
8. First Modern Games
The inaugural modern Olympics took place in 1896 in Athens, Greece, beginning with a 100-meter dash as the opening event. The first champion was James Brendan Connolly from the U.S., who secured victory in the triple jump, the final event of those games. Another historic milestone was achieved during these games: the first brothers to win gold medals, John and Sumner Paine of the U.S., triumphed in the military pistol and free pistol shooting events, respectively. These events, now a testament to Second Amendment pride, were indeed part of the competition.
7. First Female Athletes
Women made their debut in the modern Olympics during the 1900 Paris Games, though records indicate a woman named Bilistiche may have competed and won in the ancient games. At the 1900 Olympics, Charlotte Cooper of England became the first female champion by winning the tennis singles. Additionally, Swiss sailor Hélène de Pourtalès was the first woman to compete and win a gold medal in the modern Olympics as part of a boating crew.
6. First Black Athletes
The 1900 Olympics marked another milestone with the participation of the first black competitor, Constantin Henriquez de Zubieta of France. However, the first black athlete to win a medal was John Taylor, who achieved this feat eight years later as part of the U.S. relay team. Additionally, Abebe Bikila of Ethiopia became the first black African to win gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics, completing the marathon barefoot.
5. First Team Sport
Football, also known as soccer, became the first team sport introduced in the 1900 Olympics. Unlike most U.S. sports, which remain domestic, football is one of the few played internationally outside the Olympics. In its debut, England, France, and Belgium secured gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively.
4. First Mascot
The concept of cheering for the home team was elevated in 1972 during the Munich Olympics with the introduction of the first official mascot, Waldi the dachshund. This cartoonish blue wiener dog, adorned with a rainbow-colored sweater, became a symbol of unity and diversity, rivaled only by images of the United Nations. Waldi set the standard for future Olympic mascots, blending charm and cultural representation.
3. First South American City to Host
Although this Olympic milestone has yet to occur, it is set to take place when Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, hosts the Summer Games in 2016. The International Olympic Committee announced this decision in 2009 during a meeting in Denmark. Among the 28 sports featured in the 2016 Olympics are rugby and, surprisingly, golf, bringing together vastly different athletic disciplines (and potentially labeling Tiger Woods as an “Olympic athlete”). Perhaps tanning contests could be next—at least they’d be entertaining to watch.
2. First Uses of Television
The 1936 Berlin Olympics marked the first time the games were televised, showcased on large screens across Berlin. England followed by broadcasting the 1948 London Olympics into homes. The first international broadcast occurred during the 1960 Rome Olympics. Television advancements have allowed global audiences to witness the games in real-time, fostering national pride and eliminating the need to rely on secondhand accounts of these extraordinary athletic achievements.
1. First Involving the 5 Current Continents
The 1912 Stockholm Olympics marked a historic moment as Japan became the first Asian nation to compete. Tragically, this event also witnessed the first Olympic-related fatality when Francisco Lazaro, after completing 29 kilometers, succumbed to sunstroke and heart complications, passing away the following day.
