Paris 1900 took place in Paris, France, from 14 May to 28 October 1900 during the Exposition Universelle of 1900 (1900 Paris Exposition or World's Fair) with 26 nations. It was the second Olympiad since its revival during the 1896 Games in Athens, Greece and the first to allow women to take part with sailor Hélène de Pourtalès (née Helen Barbey) becoming the first female Olympic champion. 

Some events during this Olympiad – angling, motor racing, ballooning, cricket, croquet, Basque pelota and underwater swimming – were contested for the only time in Olympics history – though cricket will make its return to the 1928 Summer Olympics. Tug of war also debuted, lasting in the event line up until the 1920 Games. Winners received rectangular medals, the only time in Olympics history, in gold, silver or bronze, or were given cups and other similar trophies.

France at Paris 1900

Of the over 1200 competitors, host country France sent 720 to compete, winning 102 medals (27 gold, 38 silver, 37 bronze) of the 252 up for grabs. French delegates excelled in archery, croquet, fencing, gymnastics, rowing, rugby, sailing and shooting. They swept the podium in many different events, taking the top 3 spots for fencing (Men's foil, Men's masters foil, Men's masters épée), croquet (singles, one ball and two balls), and gymnastics (Men's all around).

One controversy during the Games found three marathon runners from the United States accusing the French runners – who placed first and second – of taking a short cut, supported by the fact that the French runners  were the only contestants not covered with mud.

Australia at Paris 1900

Of the over 1200 competitors, Australia sent 2 to compete, winning 5 medals of the 252 up for grabs.

Frederick Lane (pictured) was the first Australian to represent Australia in swimming at the Olympic Games winning two gold medals: the first being in the 200 metres freestyle, the second just 45 minutes later in the discontinued 200 metre obstacle event. Frederick was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and into the Swimming Australia Hall of Fame in 2022.

Stan Rowley ran for Australia in the short sprint events at the 1900 Olympics, winning bronze medals in the 60 metres, 100 metres and 200 metres events. Stan also joined the Great Britain team in the 5-man 5000m team race, as they had only 4 members. Stan claimed 10th place but the Great British team won gold overall, giving Stan his fourth medal and first gold.

Paris 1924 took place again in Paris, France, from 5 to 27 July 1924, making it the first city to host the Olympics twice. It was the eighth Olympiad with 44 nations and over 3000 athletes (2,954 men and 135 women).

Some firsts during this iteration of the Games included the Semaine des Sports d'Hiver (Week of Winter Sports) in Chamonix which were later designated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the first Olympic Winter Games; the Olympic Village made its first appearance; and the Olympic motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger) was used for the first time.

With 17 official sports, the Olympic program also included demonstration sports like Basque pelota, canoeing, La canne (a French martial art) and Savate (French kickboxing).

France at Paris 1924

Of the over 3000 competitors, host country France sent 401 to compete, winning 38 medals (13 gold, 15 silver, 10 bronze) of the 378 up for grabs - 3rd overall after the US (45 gold, 99 medals) and Finland (14 gold, 37 medals). 

France won their golds (and some silvers) in cycling, fencing, gymnastics, shooting, water polo, weightlifting and wrestling. They also finished second in rugby union and tennis.

In gymnastics, two silver medals (and no bronze) were awarded to France's Jean Gounot and François Gangloff for a second-place tie in the men's sidehorse vault event.

France also won 1 gold and 2 bronze during the Art competitions.

Australia at Paris 1924

Of the over 3000 competitors, Australia sent 36 athletes to compete, winning 6 medals (13 gold, 15 silver, 10 bronze), coming 11th overall.

Australia won gold with Nick Winter in athletics for the men's triple jump, Dick Eve in diving for the men's plain high diving and Andrew "Boy" Charlton (pictured) for swimming in the men's 1500 m freestyle (who also won bronze for Men's 400 m freestyle and silver for Men's 4 × 200 m freestyle relay with Frank Beaurepaire Moss Christie, Ernest Henry and Ivan Stedman). The last bronze was won by Frank Beaurepaire in Swimming for the Men's 1500 m freestyle.

Australian chemist and mountaineer George Finch was also personally awarded a gold medal when Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the IOC & father of the modern Olympics movement, awarded medals to members of the 1922 British Mount Everest Expedition.

Read more about Australia's Voyage to the 1924 Paris Olympics in this blog by the National Library of Australia.

2024 Summer Olympics - Paris, France

Paris 2024 is taking place in Paris, France, from 26 July 2024 to 11 August 2024, becoming the second city ever to host the Summer Olympics three times (after London – 1908, 1948 and 2012 Games). It is the 33rd Olympiad with 206 nations (including the Refugee Olympic Team) and over 10,000 athletes who will compete in in 32 sports, including the debut of breaking (breakdance). France has 573 atheletes competing while Australia has sent 460.

We are excited to see all the action happen over the next sixteen days as the world competes for the gold, silver and bronze - followed by the Paralympic Games, 28 August to 8 September. Make sure to tune in and keep up with the Alliance Française as we share the highlights throughout the Games.

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