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First Modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece
The 1896 Games were the first and only male only games. There was a total of 241 men from 14 countries participating in 43 separate events across categories like track and field, cycling, swimming, gymnastics, weightlifting, wrestling, fencing, tennis and shooting (Mirror). In this photo Robert Garret (USA) is preparing to throw the discus. He later wins gold in the event. The USA's medal count was 20 in this Olympic Games behind Greece with 46. -
Women Competed for the First Time in the Paris Olympic Games
Women were allowed to compete for the first time in the 1900 Olympics in Paris. They were only allowed to participate in events including sailing, tennis and golf, like the picture shown here (National Geographic). There was a total of 22 women that participated in these games out of 997 athletes (Olympic Factsheet). This Olympics' events were spread out over the span of five months and were criticized for lack of organization, poor scheduling and inadequate facilities (National Geographic). -
Controversial Games held in St. Louis, Missouri
In 1904, the Olympic Games were held in St. Louis, Missouri. These games were poorly attended by European Athletes due to difficulty getting to Missouri and tension in Europe due to the Russo-Japanese War. Only 12 countries participated and Americans accounted for 523 out of 630 total athletes (History). There was also massive confusion with events due to the games coinciding with the World's Fair. In this photograph, Archie Hahn (USA) wins the 60-meter run. -
Olympic Stadium built in London, England
For the first time, the Olympics took place in White City Stadium, a stadium specifically built for the games (History on the Net). In this photo, marathon runners run from Windsor Castle to the Royal Box in White City Stadium (National Geographic). These games were known for being exceptionally well organized and due to the Olympics gaining recognition, many athletes from around the globe wanted to participate (Olympic Fact Sheet). -
First Winter Olympic Games held in Chamonix, France
In 1924, the first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix France. Taking place for only a week, the International Olympic Committee originally deemed it "Winter Sports Week". The week-long winter games was a great success, with over 10,000 spectators watching 258 athletes compete in 16 events. Pictured is Canada facing Great Britain in a hockey match. Canada would go on to win the Gold Medal, scoring 122 goals and giving up only three. -
Jesse Owens defies Hitler's expectations, winning the Gold Medal in the Long Jump in Berlin.
Just three years before its invasion of Poland, Germany hosted the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics. Hitler planned on using the Berlin Olympics as a stage to prove right Nazi ideologies. African American Jesse Owens would prove him wrong, winning gold in the Long Jump and three other events. Hitler wrote a personal congratulation to Owens while President Roosevelt did not, showing the racial climate in the US. Owens stated, "Hitler didn't snub me, it was Roosevelt who snubbed me." -
The Summer Olympic 'Austerity' Games are hosted in London on a tight budget after World War II.
As World War II came to an end, London was chosen to host the 1948 Summer Olympics. With wounds still very fresh, London hosted the first Olympic Games since 1936, as both previous Olympics had been called off for the war. London's economy at the time could not withstand building new venues or an Olympic Village. Instead, with only £730,000, London made do with what they had, using current structures and only spending on necessities, such as basic signage, photographed being put up by officials. -
Tommie Smith and John Carlos raise their fists in recognition of racial inequality in the US. Australian Peter Norman stands in solidarity with them.
American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos bow their heads and raise their black-gloved fists on the podium as the US National Anthem plays. The two took the opportunity to show their dissatisfaction with the racial climate of the US, which was undergoing a civil rights movement at the time. Both athletes received death threats and were suspended from the team. Australian sprinter Peter Norman wore an Olympic Project Human Rights badge in support. -
Mark Spitz swims the butterfly and wins gold at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, West Germany
During the 1972 Olympic games, American swimmer Mark Spitz swam in seven events. Spitz won gold in all seven of his events, and he also set new world records in each event. Photographer Rich Clarkson managed to photograph one of the most talented competitive swimmers in the butterfly event. The nine-time Olympic swimmer is one of the most famous Olympians of all time, and he was only the third athlete to win nine Olympic gold medals. -
Bruce Jenner wins gold in the decathlon at the 1976 Montreal Games
At the height of the Cold War, track and field star Bruce Jenner wins the decathlon and becomes the "world's greatest athlete" at the 76' Games. Photographer Tony Duffy captures Jenner's victory, as he crosses the finish line in the 1,500 meter race. After his win, Jenner was handed an American flag on a stick. Reluctantly, Jenner waved the U.S. flag and it became "a transcendent moment in sports" (Caple). The ritual of waving one's flag after a win is now commonplace at many Olympic events. -
General view of the opening ceremony at 1980 Olympics in Moscow, Russia
The Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 resulted in the largest boycott in the history of the Olympics. U.S. President Jimmy Carter called for a boycott of the 1980 Games, and approximately 60 other countries joined the protest. Western countries like Great Britain, France, Italy, and Sweden did participate, and about 5,000 athletes from 81 countries attended the Games. Rowdy behavior, cheating officials and overbearing security also dampened the 1980 Olympic Games. -
Carl Lewis wins first gold medal at 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles
Track and field athlete Carl Lewis photographed by Andy Clark at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, CA. Lewis receives the first of his four gold medals at the 1984 games for the men's 100 meter. The American flag is featured in the background, as Lewis bows his head and a disappointed Ben Johnson of Canada, looks on. Lewis is one of three Olympic athletes to win four gold medals in a single event, and he is one of the most decorated athletes with a total of 10 Olympic medals. -
American sprinter Florence Delorez Griffith Joyner crosses the finish line and wins the 100 meter final at the 1988 Games in Seoul
Photographer Nick Didlick captures Florence Delores Griffith (a.k.a Flo-Jo) as she crosses the finish line to win the gold medal in the women's 100 meter final. Flo-Jo is considered to be the fastest woman in history, since her records for both the 100 and 200 meter still stand. Photographer Didlick followed Flo-Jo prior to the Olympic games, and knew that she would "explode in emotion" once she crossed the finish line, so he anticipated her win and captured this emotional moment (Grebey). -
Seve Redgrave first Britan to win fifth consecutive gold medal
This photo, taken by Ross Kinnaird, captured the Britain rowing team celebrating their gold medal in the Men's Coxless Four Rowing Final at the 2000 Olympic Games. This was the moment Steve Redgrave entered Olympic history by winning his fifth consecutive gold medal, becoming the only Briton to win gold at five successive games. This was seen as an achievement unlikely to ever be surpassed. -
Vonetta Flowers American female bobsledder wins gold
This photo was taken by Mike Hewitt at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Vonetta Flowers and teammate Jill Bakken won gold in the women's bobsledding event, making Vonetta Flowers the first African American to ever win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. This upset victory put Vonette Flowers down in Olympic history forever. -
United States 4x100-meter freestyle relay team wins gold
This photo was taken by Doug Mills after the United States Men's team won the gold medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay. Jason Lezak was the final leg of this relay team, bringing home the gold with an intense finish. This win kept alive the bid for eight gold medals by Michael Phelps, who was also apart of the relay team. This race was one of the biggest and most intense moments of the 2008 Summer Olympics. -
Usain Bolt successfully defends his 100m Olympic title
During the 2012 Olympic games, Dan Chung captured Usain Bolt proudly showing his trademark pose. During this race Usain Bolt defended his 100m Olympic title, and finished ahead of his two competitors, US sprinter Justin Gatlin and Yohan Blake. Bolt ran his second fastest 100m clocking at 9.63 sec, which was just five hundredths of a second behind his own world record. -
One last race- Michael Phelps
This emotional photograph was taken by Adam Pretty as Michael Phelps received his last gold medal. Phelps took home his 23rd career gold medal and 28th overall after winning his final race, the men's 4x100 meter medley relay at the 2016 Summer Olympics. This was an emotional time for Phelps as he came to realize this was his last ever Olympic gold medal.
