The Major Louvre Exhibition Tracing Back the History of the Olympic Games

Uncover the history of the first modern Olympic Games with an exceptional exhibition being held at the Louvre Museum, in Paris.

How come there was a hiatus of more than 1,500 years between the original Olympics and the first modern iteration of the Games? What did it take to restart the tradition? To mark Paris 2024, a major exhibition by the Louvre, in partnership with the École Française d’Athènes and the Université de Paris-Sorbonne, focuses on the history of the first modern Olympic Games, held in Athens in 1896.

Looking at the iconography of the time, such as stamps, posters and trophies, it examines the image of the new Olympics and places it in the political context of the late 19th century. The Louvre also invites us to explore ancient history, including the findings from archaeological digs, as sculptures, gold and silver pieces and ancient texts are displayed alongside more modern creations, such as the first cup created for the winner of the marathon at the 1896 Games. It is a tribute to the skilled team led by the ‘father of the modern Olympics’ Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who brought together history, art and archaeology and succeeded in creating the global event we know today.

Until September 16

www.louvre.fr

From France Today Magazine