1. THE MODERNOLYMPIC GAMESLondon, 1908

2. BackgroundItalian authorities were preparing to hold the games when Mount Vesuviuserupted on April 7, 1906, devastating the city of Naples. Funds were divertedto the reconstruction of Naples, so a new venue was required. London wasselected, and the games were held in White City alongside the Franco-BritishExhibition, at the time the more noteworthy event. Berlin and Milan wereother candidates.The White City Stadium, built in short time for the games, held 68,000 andwas considered by some a technological marvel. The stadium track was threelaps to the mile, not the current standard of 400 metres, with a pool forswimming and diving and platforms for wrestling and gymnastics in themiddle. 3. How many nationsparticipated?There was considerable controversy, as the United Kingdom participatedas a single country, including the Irish, which they disagreed.Participated 22 nations: 4. How many nationsparticipated?1. Argentina2. Australasia3. Austria4. Belgium5. Bohemia6. Canada7. Denmark8. Finland9. France10. Germany11. Greece 5. How many nationsparticipated?1. Argentina12. Great Britain2. Australasia13. Hungary3. Austria14. Italy4. Belgium15. Netherlands5. Bohemia16. Norway6. Canada 17. Russia7. Denmark18. South Africa8. Finland19. Sweden9. France 20. Switzerland10. Germany 21. United States11. Greece22. Turkey 6. Which sports events took place? There were 24 sports disciplines in this Modern Olympic Games: Archery Rugby union Athletics Sailing Boxing Shooting Cycling Swimming Diving Tennis Fencing Tug of war Figure skating Water motorsports Football Water polo Gymnastics Wrestling Hockey Rowing Jeu de paume Lacrosse Polo Rackets 7. Important moments: pietriThe most famous incident of the games came at the end of the marathon.The first to enter the stadium, Dorando Pietri of Italy, collapsed severaltimes and ran the wrong way. Not far from the finish, two officials tookhim by the arms and brought him to the line. As a consequence, aftercrossing the line he was disqualified. The medal went to AmericanJohnny Hayes of the Irish American Athletic Club who was second, butthe glory went to Pietri. Since he had not been responsible for hisdisqualification, Queen Alexandra next day awarded him a gilded silvercup. 8. The winter events and thephilosophyThese Games were the first to include Winter events, as hadoriginally been proposed for the Games. There were four figureskating events, although held months after other events.For the first time the Olympic creed that "the most important thing inthe Olympic Games is not to win but to take part" was publiclyproclaimed, and its creator, a bishop from Pennsylvania, uttered it ata service at St. Pauls Cathedral on July 19. 9. THE MEDALSRank NationGold Silver Bronze Total 1Great 56 5139 146Britain 2 USA23 121247 3 Sweden 8 61125 4 France 5 59 19 5 Germany3 55 13 6 Hungary3 42 9 7 Canada 3 31016 8 Norway 2 33 8 9 Italy2 20 4 10Belgium1 52 8 10. THANKS FOR YOURATTENTION!