Challenges in Paris 1900

The Games of the II Olympiad faced numerous organizational and logistical problems:This is the background to the difficulties in collecting medals and badges from the 1900 Paris olympics. There are so many different medals designed as winners medal as you will see in the next post.

1. Integration with the World’s Fair
   The Olympics were held as part of the 1900 Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair), which overshadowed the Games. Many events were marketed as “International Contests of Physical Exercise and Sport,” leaving athletes and spectators unaware they were part of the Olympics.

2. Lack of Identity and Structure
   There were no opening or closing ceremonies, and events were spread over five months (May–October), making it hard to maintain a cohesive Olympic spirit.

3. Poor Organization and Facilities

   • Track and field took place on uneven, wet grass fields; hurdles were made from broken telephone poles.

   • Hammer throws sometimes landed in trees.

   • Swimming was held in the Seine River, whose strong current produced unrealistic times.

4. Scheduling Conflicts
   Competitions on Sundays caused protests from American athletes due to religious observance. Some withdrew entirely.

5. Confusion Over Olympic Status
   Many athletes didn’t know they were competing in the Olympics. Winners often received cups or trophies instead of medals.

6. Unusual and One-Time Events
   Events like live pigeon shooting, underwater swimming, and motor racing appeared only in 1900. This was the only Olympics to use live animals as targets.

7. Dominance of Host Nation
   France fielded 72% of athletes and won the most medals, partly due to the disorganized nature of the Games.

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Image courtesy to Wikipedia.

List of All Events (95 events in 19 sports)

Here are the sports and their events:

• Archery (multiple styles and distances)

• Athletics (Track & Field) – 24 events (e.g., 60m, 100m, hurdles, long jump, high jump, pole vault, marathon)

• Cycling – track and road races

• Fencing – 7 events (including foil, épée, sabre)

• Football (Soccer) – 1 tournament

• Gymnastics – 1 combined event

• Rowing – 6 events

• Sailing – 11 classes (based on tonnage)

• Shooting – 10 events (including live pigeon shooting)

• Swimming – 8 events (including obstacle and underwater races)

• Tennis – singles and doubles (men’s, women’s, mixed)

• Tug of War – 1 event

• Golf – men’s and women’s competitions

• Cricket – 1 match

• Croquet – 4 events

• Water Polo – 1 tournament

• Equestrian – jumping and long/high jump on horseback

• Basque Pelota – 1 event

• Motorboating & Ballooning – demonstration events (not officially recognized later)