The success of the revived Olympics moved Greece to declare itself the rightful host of all future Games, but de Coubertin and the International Olympic Committee were determined to move the athletic feast around. In France, however, the 1900 Paris Olympics held in conjunction with the Paris Expo and the brand new Eiffel Tower, which took place over five months from May to October, were a strange conglomeration of sporting events. Even today there is still some confusion over whether some of the competitions were official or not. For instance, the program for the athletics was headed Republique Francaise Exposition Universelle de 1900, Championnats Internationaux and competitors believed they were taking part in a glorified international event. Some winners died years later without realizing they were Olympic champions.

Despite their sideshow status, the Games attracted 1,330 athletes from 22 nations and enjoyed more publicity, if not bigger crowds, than in Athens.

University of Pennsylvania roomates Alvin Kraenzlein, Irving Baxter and John Tewksbury and Purdue grad Ray Ewry dominated the 23 track and field events, winning 11 and taking five seconds and a third. Kraenzlein remains the only track and fielder to win four individual titles in one year. Women were invited to compete for the first time and Britain's Charlotte Cooper won the singles and mixed doubles in tennis.

No gold medals were given out in Paris. Winners received silver medals with bronze for second place. Gold, silver, and bronze medals were retroactively awarded by the International Olympic Committee to reflect later practice of awarding such medals to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place competitors, respectively.

1896 Athens Olympic Stadium 1896 1900 Paris Olympic Stadium 1900 1904 St. Louis Olympic Stadium 1904