The
Summer Olympics are happening at the moment, 2024, in Paris, France, 100 years after it was held there in 1924. It was interesting and fun to research the
Olympic events.
The 1924 opening ceremony was held on the 5th of July. It was the second time the city had hosted the event; it was also held there from the 14th of May to the 28th of October, 1900. They were held as part of the
1900 Exposition Universelle (World's Fair).
1900 Summer Olympics
Women took part in the games for the first time. American-born
Hélène de Pourtalès became the first female Olympic champion as part of the Swiss winning team in the
1-2 ton sailing event. Two months later,
Charlotte Cooper (UK) became the first woman to win an individual Olympic event after winning the women's singles
tennis competition.
Charlotte Cooper was the
first individual female Olympic champion.
photographer unknown
Most of the winners in 1900 did not receive medals but were given cups or trophies. This was also the only Olympic Games in history to use live animals (pigeons) as targets during the
shooting event.
1924 Summer Olympics
The selection process for the 1924 Summer Olympics consisted of six bids, and
Paris was selected ahead of
Amsterdam,
Barcelona,
Los Angeles,
Prague, and
Rome. The cost of these Games was estimated to be 10,000,000
F (equivalent to €10.1 million in 2022.
1924 Summer Olympics poster
An aerial view of Colombes Olympic Stadium, situated along the
Seine river near Paris, as spectators file in to watch the football
final during the 1924 Olympic Games.
photographer unknown
July 9, 1924: "Rocquencourt, France—The American Olympic candidates are taking more honors than hoped. Every man is right up to the minute physically, due to the rigorous training. Photo shows the American gymnasts during practice stunts at their Rocquencourt headquarters near here.
American Olympic candidates
photographer unknown
From Time Magazine (link below): Lee Barnes, a 17-year-old high school student from Hollywood High in Los Angeles, wins the gold medal in pole vaulting.
Lee Barnes - Getty Images
photographer unknown
The issue featured an article, “Secret Practice, where the Olympic games are really won.” with a two page centerspread art by
Anton Otto Fischer.
Viewfinder links:
Net links:
Olympic.com ~.
YouTube links:
Paris 1924 Olympic Games ~
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