The First Olympic Games in Athens, 1896

The correct answer is option 'B' - Athens. The first Olympic Games were indeed held in Athens, Greece in 1896. Let's explore the details of this historic event.

1. The Birth of the Modern Olympics
- The modern Olympic Games were inspired by the ancient Olympic Games that were held in ancient Greece from the 8th century BCE to the 4th century CE.
- Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator, is credited with reviving the Olympic Games. He proposed the idea in 1894 and subsequently founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

2. Selection of Athens as the Host City
- After the establishment of the IOC, it was decided that the first modern Olympic Games would be held in Athens, Greece, to honor the historical significance of the ancient Olympic Games.
- Athens was chosen due to its rich history, as it was the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games and held immense cultural importance.

3. Preparations for the Games
- The preparations for the first modern Olympic Games were undertaken by the Greek government, with support from the IOC.
- The main venue for the games was the Panathenaic Stadium, which was refurbished for the event. It was originally built in the 4th century BCE and could accommodate up to 50,000 spectators.

4. Participation and Events
- The first Olympic Games saw the participation of 241 athletes from 14 nations, including Greece, the United States, France, Germany, and Great Britain.
- The events included athletics, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, shooting, swimming, tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling. There were a total of 43 events in 9 different sports.

5. Highlights of the Games
- The opening ceremony took place on April 6, 1896, and was attended by King George I of Greece.
- The first event of the games was the marathon, which was won by Spyridon Louis, a Greek athlete.
- American athlete James Connolly became the first modern Olympic champion by winning the triple jump event.

6. Legacy of the First Olympic Games
- The success of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens paved the way for the continuation of the Olympic Games as a global sporting event.
- Since 1896, the Olympic Games have been held every four years, except for the periods during the two World Wars.

In conclusion, the first Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece in 1896. This historic event marked the revival of the ancient Olympic Games and laid the foundation for the modern Olympic movement.