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The Paris 2024 Olympics are all set to take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024. Athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees along with the IOC Refugee Olympic Team (EOR) will participate. The games will feature 10,500 athletes competing across 35 venues throughout the country. Let’s delve into the origins of the Olympics in light of this monumental event.
Genesis
The Olympic Games boast a rich history that spans over two millennia, deeply intertwining with sport and culture. Originating in 776 BC, the ancient Games were held every four years in honor of the god Zeus, featuring not only athletic contests but also artistic events such as music, poetry, and theatre.
The Beginning of a New Era: The Athens 1896 Olympic Games
The first Olympic Games of the modern era took place in Athens (Greece), the birthplace of the ancient Olympics, in April 1896. Known as the Games of the I Olympiad, this historic event saw the participation of 241 athletes from 14 nations.
The Athens 1896 Games saw packed stadiums and enthusiastic crowds, particularly for events like the Olympic marathon final, setting the stage for over a century of Olympic history.
Women in the Olympic Games
The Paris 1900 Olympic Games saw women compete for the first time. British tennis player Charlotte Cooper, a five-time Wimbledon champion, became the first female Olympic champion. Out of 997 athletes, 22 were women, competing in tennis, sailing, croquet, equestrian events, and golf.
Female participation in the Olympics has steadily increased over the decades, from 13% in 1964 to approximately 48.9% in the 2020 Tokyo Games, thanks to initiatives by the IOC and international federations.
Notable milestones include the inclusion of women’s boxing at the 2012 London Games and achieving near gender parity in Tokyo 2020. In Rio 2016, 45% of athletes were women, a trend that continued in Tokyo, making it the most gender-balanced Olympics yet with nearly half of all athletes being women.
History of Olympic Games: A Timeline
From the inaugural modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 to the upcoming 2024 Games in Paris, the Olympics have evolved significantly. The 1896 Games featured 241 athletes from 14 nations, with Greece leading in medals. Over the decades, the Games expanded in scale and inclusivity, with significant milestones including the first participation of women in 1900 and the introduction of new sports and events
Key Milestones in Olympic History
From the inaugural modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 to the upcoming 2024 Games in Paris, the Olympics have evolved significantly. The 1896 Games featured 241 athletes from 14 nations, with Greece leading in medals. The Games have expanded in scale and inclusivity, with significant milestones such as the first participation of women in 1900 and the introduction of new sports and events.
India at Olympics
India’s Olympic journey has evolved significantly since its debut at the Paris Olympics in 1900 with just one participant. A landmark moment arrived at the Antwerp Games in 1920 when India sent its first official contingent, marking a century of notable achievements.
The Paris 1924 Olympics indeed marked India’s debut in tennis, with five players participating in singles and doubles events. This was followed by the remarkable performance of the Indian men’s hockey team at the Amsterdam 1928 Olympics, where India secured its first Olympic gold medal, led by the iconic Dhyan Chand. It is noteworthy that the Hockey team scored 29 goals and did not concede any throughout the tournament, setting a high standard on the international stage.
India’s rise at 2012 London Olympics
At the 2012 London Olympics, Saina Nehwal earned India’s inaugural badminton Olympic medal. Sushil Kumar secured his second Olympic medal, and Gagan Narang, Vijay Kumar, Mary Kom, and Yogeshwar Dutt added to India’s tally, reaching six medals, the highest at that time. Rio 2016 saw PV Sindhu and Sakshi Malik as India’s sole medallists, marking the first instance where all medals were won by female athletes.
India’s best performance at Tokyo Olympics
Tokyo 2020 proved historic for India with a total of seven medals. The men’s hockey team ended a 41-year medal drought with bronze, while the women achieved their best-ever fourth-place finish. Neeraj Chopra clinched India’s first track-and-field gold in javelin throw, ensuring a poetic end to the campaign.