cartoon-like illustration showing athletes taking part in many different sports.
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The history of the Olympic Games in Paris

From humble beginnings to international recognition

Exploring the history of the Olympic Games in Paris in 1900 and 1924

by
Johanna Fisher (Professor of English and Women Studies, Co-director Women and Gender Studies)

Paris, the city of lights, situated at the centre of the Île-de-France, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. More than 2,000 years old, the city continues to dazzle and to position itself as a leading venue for historical events such as world sports.

Paris is hosting the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. If we look at its history, Paris has twice before hosted the Olympic Games - first as far back as 1900 and, for the second time, in 1924. Let’s take a look at how it all started.

What is the role of the International Olympic Committee?

black and white portrait photograph of Baron Pierre de Coubertin.

French educator and historian Pierre de Coubertin established the International Olympic Committee on 23 June 1894 at the Olympic Congress, in an effort to promote sports as a way to revive the Olympic Games of ancient Greece.

An important step in organising the Olympic Games was the way that cities could bid to host the games, assuring that the spectacular event would be shared with a wider audience around the world.

The founding of the International Olympic Committee has been celebrated as International Olympic Day every year on 23 June since 1948.

At the beginning of the re-establishment of the Olympic Games, there was rather limited interest in such a large sporting event. There was controversy about the kinds of games that were to be permanent features. Sports such as boules, fishing and hurling were not recognised as legitimate games.

What happened at the Paris Olympic Games in 1900?

sepia black and white photograph, a boat on the Seine river with the Eiffel Tower and a large globe-shaped building in the background.

The 1900 Olympic Games took place within the framework of the Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair), an event celebrating the achievements of the past century and developments into the next. The Exposition Universelle competed with the Olympics Games - they did not attract as much attention as expected as there were many competing events.

Paris faced many challenges as host of the international games, including around which sports would be recognised as part of the Olympic Games at that time and into the future. Pierre de Coubertin had to confront the organisers of the Exposition Universelle to have the sporting events permitted the title of Olympic Games, some of which were included late.

Due to the delay, many athletes did not realise they had even competed in the Olympic Games - instead, many assumed they were taking part in the Exposition Universelle.

Despite the challenges, traditional competitions such as swimming, high and long jumps, hurdles, as well as gymnastics and cycling took place. A marathon race, freestyle swimming and fencing were also part of the 1900 Olympic Games.

grainy black and white photograph of Ray Ewry squatting while jumping.
black and white photograph, Michel Théato running during a marathon race in the Bois de Boulogne (Boulogne forest)

American athlete Ray Ewry in the standing long jump at the 1900 Paris Olympic Games. He won gold medals in all three jumping events, including the high jump and the triple jump.

Distance runner Michel Théato takes part in the marathon at the 1900 Paris Olympic Games, an event which he won.

28 countries sent athletes to compete in 95 total events. Countries as far away as Haiti and Peru participated.

The 1900 Olympic Games featured women for the first time - though with limited access to events as Pierre de Coubertin disapproved of women participating in public competitions. Nonetheless, 22 women competed in five sports: tennis, sailing, golf, equestrianism and croquet.

However, like some of the other athletes, golfer Margaret Abbott had no idea she participated in the Olympic Games, and that she was the first American woman to win an Olympic event.

black and white photograph, Margaret Abbott playing golf.
black and white photograph, Charlotte Cooper holding a tennis racquet and wearing a long dress.

American golfer Margaret Abbott, plays in the 1900s Olympic Games Women's golf event. She won with a score of 47 strokes.

British tennis player Charlotte Cooper won the singles championship and became the first individual woman Olympic champion. She also won the mixed doubles event.

What happened at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games?

Paris became the first city to host the Olympic Games twice. By 1924, there was growing interest on an international level. 44 countries sent athletes this time.

Track and Field and a new Olympic-sized swimming pool that included marked lanes made for an exciting competition among the growing elite athletes competing at the games.

One of these athletes was the future film star, Johnny Weissmuller.

black and white portrait photograph of Johnny Weissmuller who wears a vintage swimming costume and is standing by the edge of a swimming pool.
black and white photograph, a dramatic moment as athletes run across the finishing line in a race.
black and white photograph, of Eric Liddell running in a race in a crowded stadium.

American swimmer Johnny Weissmuller brought attention to the 1924 Olympic Games by dominating the swimming 100m and 400m freestyle and the 4X200m relay team races.

British athlete Harold Abrahams won the 100m dash in a time of 10.6 seconds.

British athlete Eric Liddell refused to run the 100 metres race for religious reasons as the event was held on a Sunday. He instead competed in the 400 metres held on a weekday and won.

The British athletes Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell would later be featured in the 1981 Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire.

The United States were in command of the 1924 Olympic Games. The team won 32 medals overall, with long-jumper William DeHart Hubbard becoming the first Black American to win an Olympic gold medal.

French fencer Roger Ducret won five medals, three of which were gold.

black and white photograph of fencing athlete Roger Ducret who holds a sword.

135 women took part in the 1924 Olympic Games, though their participation was still limited to sports such as swimming, tennis, diving and fencing.

The 1924 games were the first time women’s fencing was introduced, and was won by Danish foil fencer Ellen Ossier. The USA women's swim team members, which included athletes Ethel Lackie and Getrude Ederle, took 10 medals between them and French tennis player Julie Vlasto won silver in the tennis singles.

black and white photograph, tennis player Julie Vlasto standing on a tennis court.

This time, the Olympic Games received crowds reaching up to 60,000 daily.

The 1924 Olympic Games introduced the Closing Ceremony ritual used to this day, raising the flag of the International Olympic Committee, the flag of the host nation and the flag of the next host country.

Paris Olympic Games in 2024

colour cover of Life magazine, featuring cartoon illustrations showing athletes taking part in many different sports.

In 2024, Paris is hosting the Olympic Games for a third time. The Olympic flame travelled from Athens to Marseille and through many iconic places in France, both inside and outside the mainland.

More than 200 countries and 10,000 athletes are participating. The Olympic Games always provides challenges, as can be seen through local protests about lack of housing and the disregard for the homeless amongst many other things. The city's goal of making these Olympic Games one of the most sustainable to date sets an admirable example for future games. One can hope this may propel better Olympic goals towards listening to the most vulnerable communities and finding solutions that don't neglect their needs.

Like in the past, Paris will provide a moment where we may appreciate what humankind is capable of achieving in the sport world by honouring the talents of athletes from across the world. Many will join in to celebrate their country's best athletes from the comforts of their homes or in Paris itself.

 

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