Olympic Games 1896 Athens

1st Olympiad

GREECE

Sports: 9

Events: 43

National Teams: 14

Participants: 176

Winner Medals


olympic games winner medal 1896 athens          olympic games winner medal 1896 athens
          
Images Copyright © by Graham Budd
www.grahambuddauctions.co.uk


GENERAL DATA OLYMPIC WINNER MEDALS 1896
1st Place: Silver Medal Material: Silver
Weight 62 gr
2nd Place: Bronze Medal Material: Bronze
Weight 62 gr
Diameter: 50 mm Design by: Jules Chaplain
    Mint: Paris Mint
Thickness: 4 mm Ribbon: None
Obverse: Laureated head of Zeus facing and holding winged Victory with laurel branch on globe. 
Reverse: View of Acropolis and Parthenon between Olympic legend. 


Olympic games winner medal 1896 Olympic games winner medal 1896


To the winner a silver medal was given, to the second winner a bronze medal. There was no gold medal in 1896! And no medal for the third place winner.




Tom Burke after the victory ceremony 1896
with a cup and two diplomas



Olympic winner medal 1896 Olympic winner medal 1896


First and second place winner medals in cases



Distribution of prizes 1896
...........
As soon as the King had taken his seat Mr Robertson, from Oxford University advanced towards him, and read an ode which he had composed for the occasion to celebrate the glory of the Olympic Games. In this ode written in Ancient Greek in Pindarian meter, the poet gave vent to the most noble senti of Ancient Greece could have inspired him. The King lent a most attentive ear to the recital of those beautiful verses, and the audience cheered heartily when the poet had finished speaking. After having warmly congratulated Mr Robertson the King stepped on a sort of platform, erected before the Royal seats, and richly decorated with carpets and flags. On a small table were placed the olivebranches, to remind one of the ancient Altis, some laurel branches and the different diplomas, written on blue or white paper and folded up in long rolls. The medals, struck in silver for the first, and in bronze for the second prizes, were real masterpieces of workmanship; the model being engraved by the celebrated artist Chaplain.
After each call the winner mounted the stand and bowing before the King, who had a few kind words to say to everyone, received the diploma, the prizemedal and the olive branch. The King shook hands with each winner, who after a respectful bow retired to make room  for the next champion. Each competitor received of course an ovation from the assembled crowd.

(Source document:    Official Report 1896, page 111)

 

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