This week in Olympic sports history: April 1-7, Athens 1896 - The First Modern Games
Olympics.com takes a look at the week in Olympic sports history, highlighting Olympian birthdays and notable sporting events for the week of April 1-7.
Welcome to This Week in Olympic sports history, where Olympics.com remembers the most significant sports events of the past. This week, we'll cover 1 to 7 April.
On This Day - April 6 1896 - The first modern Olympic Games began in Athens
The first modern Olympic Games began in Athens on 6 April 1896. To mark the occasion, the Greek capital was adorned with bunting, streamers, and green wreaths adorning house fronts.
This event was the culmination of a long-standing endeavor led by Pierre Baron de Coubertin, the visionary founder of the International Olympic Committee.
Despite prior unsuccessful attempts to revive the Olympic Games, the Frenchman's determination paid off when the International Congress of Paris for the Re-establishment of the Olympic Games approved his project in 1894.
Athens was then selected to host the inaugural Olympic Games of the modern era, paying hommage to the ancient Olympic Games held in Olympia, Greece, from 776 BC ato 393 AD.
James Connolly: The first modern Olympic Champion
Athletes from 14 different nations participated in the historic event, which opened with a ceremony at the beautifully restored Panathenaic Stadium. This marked one of the most significant international sporting events of its time, with almost 300 athletes participating. The largest delegations came from Greece, Germany, France, and Great Britain.
Amidst great excitement and anticipation, James Connolly from the United States etched his name in history by becoming the first Olympic champion in over a thousand years, clinching victory in the triple jump. He also secured third place in the long jump and second place in the high jump.
Notable Olympic birthdays: April 1-7
- Paul Anspach (Belgium, Fencing, two-time Olympic champion), born 1 April 1882
- Kristine Quance (USA, Swimming, Olympic champion), born 1 April 1975
- Ivano Balic (Croatia, Handball, Olympic champion), born 1 April 1979
- Ruth Beitia (Spain, Athletics, Olympic champion), born 1 April 1979
- Andreas Thorkildsen (Norway, Athletics, two-time Olympic champion), born 1 April 1982
- Paolo Bettini (Italy, Cycling Road, Olympic champion), born 1 April 1974
- Li Ting (China, Diving, Olympic champion), born 1 April 1987
- Ferenc Puskas (Hungary, Football, Olympic champion), born 2 April 1927
- Linford Christie (UK, Athletics, Olympic champion), born 2 April 1960
- Todd Woodbridge (Australia, Tennis, Olympic champion), born 2 April 1971
- Carlos Salcido (Mexico, Football, Olympic champion), born 2 April 1980
- Stanislawa Walasiewicz (Poland, Athletics, Olympic champion), born 3 April 1911
- Eva Szekely (Hungary, Swimming, Olympic champion), born 3 April 1927
- Picabo Street (USA, Alpine Skiing, Olympic champion), born 3 April 1971
- Stephanie Cox (USA, Football, Olympic champion), born 3 April 1986
- Rosemarie Ackermann (Germany, Athletics, Olympic champion), born 4 April 1952
- Lam Jones (USA, Athletics, Olympic champion), born 4 April 1958
- Clas Thunberg (Finland, Speed Skating, five-time Olympic champion), born 5 April 1893
- Anton Geesink (Netherlands, Judo, Olympic champion), born 6 April 1934
- Arnie Robinson Jr. (USA, Athletics, Olympic champion), born 7 April 1948
- Colette Besson (France, Athletics, Olympic champion), born 7 April 1946
- Teddy Riner (France, Judo, three-time Olympic champion), born 7 April 1989
- Edoardo Mangiarotti (Italy, Fencing, six-time Olympic champion), born 7 April 1919
Quote of the week - Teddy Riner
I think about the Olympic Games morning, noon and evening. I dream about it, I have nightmares about it.
Teddy Riner's unwavering dedication to the Olympics has yielded remarkable results. The French athlete has achieved an extraordinary feat, winning three Olympic golds and two bronze medals across four Games, solidifying his status as the greatest judoka in history.
During his debut at the Olympic Games Beijing 2008, Riner secured a bronze medal, although he was defeated by Abdullo Tangriev of Uzbekistan. Four years later, at the Olympic Games London 2012, aged just 23, he topped the podium in the men's over 100-kilogram category, beating Alexander Mikhaylin in the final.
At Rio 2016, the Frenchman reaffirmed his dominance by successfully defending his men's over 100-kilogram title, triumphing over Japan's Hisayoshi Harasawa.
During the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, held in 2021 due to the pandemic, Riner and the French team seized gold in the inaugural mixed team event, overpowering hosts Japan 4-1 in the final. This victory added another accolade to the heavyweight legend's Olympic journey.
While this victory added another accolade to the heavyweight legend's Olympic journey, it also served as redemption for his unexpected quarter-final loss in the men's +100kg individual contest against Tamerlan Bashaev. Riner advanced through the repechage to claim bronze, matching his achievement from Beijing 2008.
Ten-year undefeated streak
In addition to his Olympic prowess, the French star has amassed an unprecedented 11 world titles.
Riner's dominance in the judo arena is unquestionable; he has suffered only five defeats during his senior career and won an astonishing 154 consecutive matches from 2010 to 2020.
His 10-year undefeated streak came to an end at the 2020 Paris Grand Slam, when Kageura Kokoro of Japan ended his run in the third round.
Don't forget to check back next week for another look into sports and Olympic history on Olympics.com.