Medal Standings   Gold Silver Bronze Total United States 11 7 1 19 Greece 10 19 18 47 Germany 7 5 3 15 France 5 4 2 11 Great Britain 3 3 1 7 Hungary 2 1 3 6 Austria 2 0 3 5 Australia 2 0 0 2 Denmark 1 2 4 7 Switzerland 1 2 0 3 Egypt 0 2 0 2 Bulgaria 0 0 0 0 Chile 0 0 0 0 Combined 1 1 1 3

The Greeks had been celebrating the Olympic Games for centuries but it wasn't until 776 B.C. that they begin recording the results.

In 390 A.D., the 290th recorded Olympic Games are held. They would be the last for 15 centuries because in 393 A.D., Christian Emperor Theodosius bans the games, saying they are nothing more than a pagan festival.

In 1892, Baron de Coubertin conceived the idea for the modern Olympics and he spent the next three a half years drumming up support for his plan.

No Canadians entered the first of the modern Olympic Games.

Athletes from only 13 countries participate. Of the 311 athletes who attend the games, 230 are Greek. U.S. triple jumper James Connolly becomes the first modern Olympic gold medalist, with a winning jump of 12 metres, 70 cm

The following year, the International Olympic Committee adopts the motto Citius, Altius, Fortius.

* - The awarding of gold, silver and bronze medals officially began in 1904. In the first two games, 1896 and 1900, the terms gold, silver and bronze are used to indicate first, second and third. Until 1908, athletes entered the Olympics as individuals rather than members of a national team. Athletes from different nations sometimes joined forces in team sports and their totals are listed as "Combined".