<Table> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Th> Paris 1900> </Th> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Th> Paris 1900> </Th> </Tr> <P> The 1896 Summer Olympics (Greek: Θερινοί Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες 1896, Therinoí Olympiakoí Agónes 1896), officially known as the Games of the I Olympiad, was the first international Olympic Games held in modern history . Organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which had been created by Pierre de Coubertin, it was held in Athens, Greece, from 6 to 15 April 1896 . </P> <P> Winners were given a silver medal, while runners - up received a copper medal . Retroactively, the IOC has converted these to gold and silver, and awarded bronze medals to third placed athletes . Ten of the 14 participating nations earned medals . The United States won the most gold medals, 11; host nation Greece won the most medals overall, 46 . The highlight for the Greeks was the marathon victory by their compatriot Spyridon Louis . The most successful competitor was German wrestler and gymnast Carl Schuhmann, who won four events . </P>

Where did the first olympic games take place