The first black and white flash had the face of James Connolly, an American student who won the triple in Athens in 1896 and went down in history as the first gold medal of the Games of the modern era. Then there was Dorando Pietri's London shock marathon. And the golds of Owens in Berlin '36 in Hitler's Germany at the magical 200 meters of Berruti in Rome '60, again the terrorist attack in Munich '72, the doping of Ben Johnson in Seoul '98, up to the epic of ' gold of Usain Bolt, author of a legendary hat-trick with the title in the 100 and 200 meters won in three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016). And then the boycotts, the protests (first of all the black fist raised on the podium in Mexico '68 by Smith and Carlos), the sick and trembling Muhammad Ali 'who moves the world in Atlanta,the gold records of Phelps, the most titled athlete in the history of the Games with 28 overall medals (23 of which gold). These are postcards of over 120 years of history of that spell of the Games that is renewed every four years: a furrow in the sign of sport and brotherhood among peoples born from the idea of the French baron Pierre de Coubertin. In Tokyo, on July 23, the curtain will rise on one of the most troubled editions, which risked cancellation due to the pandemic, saved from a one-year postponement but with still many restrictions imposed by the covid.a furrow in the sign of sport and brotherhood between peoples born from the idea of the French baron Pierre de Coubertin. In Tokyo, on July 23, the curtain will rise on one of the most troubled editions, which risked cancellation due to the pandemic, saved from a one-year postponement but with still many restrictions imposed by the covid.a furrow in the sign of sport and brotherhood between peoples born from the idea of the French baron Pierre de Coubertin. In Tokyo, on July 23, the curtain will rise on one of the most troubled editions, which risked cancellation due to the pandemic, saved from a one-year postponement but with still many restrictions imposed by the covid.
- ATHENS 1896: 300 athletes (197 Greeks) presented themselves at the first edition, representing 13 countries and 3 continents. Nine sports on the program: athletics, cycling, fencing, wrestling, gymnastics, swimming, weights, tennis and shooting. James Connolly, an American student at Harvard, winning the triple with 13.71, became the first Olympic champion of the modern era on April 6, 1896. But what excited the imagination was the enterprise of Spiridon Louys, winner of the marathon on the route traveled by Philippides from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory over the Persians.
- PARIS 1900: the second edition took place in the French capital during the Universal Exposition and was the first Olympics open to women: the Swiss sailor Helene De Pourtales in a mixed race and the English tennis player Charlotte Cooper won the first gold medals always feminine.
- SAINT LOUIS 1904: the American President Roosevelt wanted them for the centenary of the annexation of Louisiana.
There was little participation with 600 athletes (432 Americans), from 11 nations, because the crossing of the Atlantic discouraged many.
Italy participated only with two immigrants.
The hero was Archie Hann, author of a triplet: 60, 100 and 200 m.
The winner of the marathon, Fred Lorz (USA), was disqualified for having used a car for a while.
- LONDON 1908: 2,000 athletes from 22 countries showed up in the English capital. For Italy, those Games went down in history for Dorando Pietri. In the marathon, for the first time brought to the current 42.195 km, the athlete from Carpi was disqualified because, before the arrival and destroyed by fatigue, he was helped not to fall by a judge. But he received the Queen's cup.
- STOCKHOLM 1912: the Games saw 2,500 athletes from 28 countries competing. The protagonists are the American Ralph Craig, winner of the 100 and 200 m, the Finnish Hannes Kolehmainen, three gold medals in the end, and the Indian Jim Thorpe, guilty of 'professionalism' for playing baseball before the Games: 70 years later they would have recognized him the medals won in the pentathlon and decathlon. Another drama in the marathon. The Portuguese Francisco Lazaro, 21, collapsed to the ground due to the heat and died shortly after.
- ANTWERP 1920: after the setback due to the First World War, the Games resumed in 1920 in Antwerp even if the aftermath of the conflict left their mark (Germany and Austria not invited).
2,591 athletes from 29 nations participated.
The United States triumphed with 41 golds.
Italian fencer Nedo Nadi won five titles.
- PARIS 1924: Paris offered 3,075 athletes from 44 countries a village, a 60,000-seat stadium and the first Olympic swimming pool for the first time.
With 99 medals, 45 gold, America finished in the lead.
It was the Games of the Finnish Paavo Nurmi with 5 gold medals in athletics, and of Johnny Weissmuller, the swimmer who became famous on the big screen playing Tarzan.
- AMSTERDAM 1928: the Dutch Olympics were made possible thanks to a public subscription.
For the first time the Olympic flame remained lit in the stadium day and night and the Germans were readmitted.
3000 athletes from 46 countries participated.
Weissmuller shone again, and Nurmi continued the collection of medals in athletics (9 golds in 3 editions).
- LOS ANGELES 1932: the Great Depression and the Wall Street crash of 1929 did not prevent the success of the Los Angeles Games.
The USA won 103 medals (41 gold), Italy 36 (12 gold).
For the 1st time China participated.
The automatic stopwatch, photo finish and three-step podium were introduced.
- BERLIN 1936: the Games were marked by the exploits of Jesse Owens and Nazi propaganda. For the first time, the torch is brought from Olympia to the site of the Games, involving 3,000 torch bearers. Present 4,000 athletes from 49 countries in 24 disciplines. To challenge the Nazi propaganda thinks Jesse Owens, black American, capable of winning 4 gold medals. When he beats the German Carl Long in the long run, Hitler leaves the stadium. Germany wins 89 medals (33 gold), the USA 56 (24 gold). A year later De Coubertin died in Lausanne.
- LONDON 1948: the climate of austerity characterizes the post-war Games.
4,000 athletes from 59 countries compete in London (excluding Germany and Japan).
Two women stand out: the Dutch Fanny Blankers-Koen, mother of three children, wins 4 gold in athletics (100, 200, 4x100 and 80 hs), and the French Micheline Ostermeyer who wins 2 gold in the disc and in the weight.
- HELSINKI 1952: Excluded from the Olympic movement on charges of professionalism, the Finnish Paavo Nurmi still enters the Olympic stadium to pass the torch to the last torchbearer.
Enrollment increases: 5,000 athletes from 69 countries.
The spotlight is all for the Czechoslovakian Emil Zatopek, winner in the 5,000, 10,000 and marathon.
Italy wins 8 gold: the most beautiful is that of Pino Dordoni in the 50 km walk.
- MELBOURNE 1956: 3,300 athletes from 67 nations participate in Melbourne, with Germany unified at the behest of the IOC. Due to the Suez crisis and the invasion of Hungary, the Games are in danger of failure, after the forfeits of Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Holland and Spain. The medal table is dominated by the USSR: 98 podiums, 37 golds. For Italy (25 medals, 8 golds) are above all the cycling games, with the gold medals of Ercole Baldini and Leandro Faggin.
- ROME 1960: these are the first television Games (live through Eurovision). In athletics Livio Berruti shine with gold in the 200 (first time in Italian speed), the black gazelle Wilma Rudolph, the barefoot Ethiopian Abebe Bikila who brought Africa's first Olympic success in the marathon. In boxing begins the legend of Cassius Clay, winner in the light heavyweight, but also that of Nino Benvenuti. Italy finishes with 36 medals (13 gold) behind the USSR (103) and the USA (71).
- TOKYO 1964: these are the first Asian Games. Judo and volleyball enter the Olympic program. South Africans are left out for their apartheid policy. Abebe Bikila repeats the gold in the marathon, Abdon Pamich gives Italy back the gold of the 50 km walk. Four golds for the US swimming sprinter Don Schollander, the Australian Dawn Fraser wins the 3rd consecutive title in the 100 sl. The USA beat the USSR in the medal table (it is the first time since 1952) with 36 golds against 30. Italy is 4 / a with 27 medals, 10 golds. In blue are the Games of the gymnast Franco Menichelli, of Pettenella and Bianchetto in cycling.
- CITY OF MEXICO '68: first games in the high ground and with the news of electronic timing and tartan tracks. Many world records beaten: 100, 200 and 400 m. with the American 'colored' Jim Hines (the first under 10 ''), Tommie Smith and Lee Evans. In protest against racism in the US, Smith and the bronze medal in the 200m. John Carlos stand on the podium with a high fist and a black glove at the time of the American anthem. A gesture that cost them the exclusion from the Games by the US Olympic Committee. In the high jump the American Fosbury launches the back technique that bears his name. Al Oerter wins a fourth gold on the record. The flight at 8.90 m is sensational. in the long run by the American Bob Beamon, a world record that will last 23 years. For theItaly Disappointing Olympics with 16 medals (only 3 golds): Vianelli in cycling, Dibiasi in diving and the two with Baran-Sambo-Cipolla.
- MONACO 1972: is the sadly known edition for the blitz in the Olympic village of Palestinian guerrillas who take Israeli athletes and technicians hostage asking for the release of some of their fellow prisoners. Eleven Israelis are killed. The races stopped for 24 hours as a sign of mourning. Protagonist of Monaco is Mark Spitz who collects 7 golds in swimming. The talent of Pietro Mennea, bronze in 200, blossoms. In gymnastics spotlight on the child prodigy Olga Korbut. The Soviets dominate in the medal table with 50 golds (33 for the USA). For Italy it is an Olympics in pink with Antonella Ragno (foil), the bronze of Paola Pigni in the 1500s and Novella Calligaris, the first to give Italy Olympic medals in swimming: a silver and two bronzes.Scalzone also won in clay pigeon shooting and Mancinelli riding Ambassador in horse riding.
- MONTREAL 1976: the era of boycotts begins: 60% of African countries withdraw in protest against the New Zealand rugby tour in South Africa. Two titles for the Cuban Alberto Juantorena (400 and 800 m.) And Lasse Viren, already protagonist in Monaco (5000 and 10000). Gymnastics meets a new star: Nadia Comaneci. Italy is doing badly, with the two gold medals of Klaus Dibiasi and the foil player Dal Zotto. Sara Simeoni climbs on the podium by winning the silver.
- MOSCOW 1980: it is the Olympics of the American boycott for the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. Another 28 countries follow the US and only 80 nations with 6000 athletes will compete. Italy participates (but parades with the flag of its national Olympic committee, like other 9 countries) despite joining the Atlantic pact. Maurizio Damilano is gold in the 20 km walk. Pietro Mennea in the 200s and Sara Simeoni on the top step onto the top step of the podium. There are 15 medals for the Azzurri, 8 gold.
- LOS ANGELES 1984: this time the boycott is from the East. There are 7,055 athletes for 140 nations. The star is Carl Lewis who equals Jesse Owens by winning 4 gold in athletics (100, 200, long and relay). The runway of US athletes with Moses (400 hs), Benoit (marathon), Valerie Brisco Hooks (200) and Evelyn Ashford (100), Rick Carey (100 and 200 backstroke), Greg Louganis (trampoline and platform), Michael Jordan ( basketball) and Mary Lou Retton (gymnastics). For Italy there is Alberto Cova's gold in the 10,000. For the blues they are record games with 14 golds. Absent since 1948, China returns with a loot of 32 medals (15 golds).
- SEUL 1988: it is the doping edition. Canadian Ben Johnson wins the 100m title. ahead of Carl Lewis, in 9 "79, world record. Three days after the IOC disqualifies him for use of steroids. Great protagonists are Kristin Otto (5 golds), Matt Biondi, Greg Louganis, Florence Griffith Joyner and Jackie Joyner Kersee. The USSR is first at 132 (55 gold), followed by the GDR with 102 (37 gold) and the USA with 94 (36 gold). For Italy 14 podiums, 6 golds with an encore after Los Angeles degli Abbagnale in two with and Pollicino-Maenza in the Greco-Roman and Gelindo Bordin triumphs in the marathon.
- BARCELONA 1992: there is a boom in athletes with 9,094 from 172 countries. In athletics in evidence the 32-year-old British Linford Christie winner of the 100 m, while Carl Lewis takes gold in the long and in the relay. In swimming, the Russian Alexander Popov hits the 50-100l brace. In basketball, where NBA professionals are present for the first time, the USA 'Dream Team' of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, David Robinson and Scottie Pippen dominates. For Italy 19 medals, of which 6 golds (including that of Settebello).
- ATLANTA 1996. Athens fails to host the Centenary Games, beaten by the money and power of Coca Cola. The protagonist is Michael Johnson, the Texan sprinter who scores a double in the 200, demolishing Mennea's leadership in 19 "32, and in the 400. The start of the Games is given by Muhammed Ali ', the last torchbearer in charge of lighting the Olympic brazier . 197 countries participate in Atlanta: Burundi, Ecuador and Hong Kong make their debut with a gold. The countries of the former USSR get on the podium for the first time since independent states. The medal table rewards the USA, first with 101 medals (44 golds), followed from Russia with 61 (26 golds). Italy is among the great ones, with 35 medals, 13 golds. In the first, historic football, gold of an African country: Nigeria beats Argentina in the final refereed by Collina. gymnasticsItaly conquers the highest step of the podium: Jury Chechi becomes the lord of the rings.
- SYDNEY 2000: the American sprinter Marion Jones is the queen of this edition with three golds, one silver and one bronze (which will then be revoked by the IOC after she admits to having resorted to prohibited substances). The blue expedition returns home with 34 medals: the surprise comes from the pool: in the water dominated by the landlord Ian Thorpe, Italy, thanks to Domenico Fioravanti (double gold in the 100 and 200 breaststroke) and Massimiliano Rosolino ( gold in the 200 medley) gives titles never won in the history of blue swimming.
- ATHENS 2004: the participating countries become 201. The cover faces of the games are El Guerrouj (middle distance), Thorpe and Phelps (swimming). For Italy there are 32 medals, with ten golds. As usual, three gives them fencing (Montano, Vezzali, men's foil), two athletics (Baldini in the marathon and Brugnetti in the 20 km walk). The other high points are cycling with Bettini, archery with Galiazzo, skeet shooting with Benelli and gymnastics with Cassina. The only team gold medal is that of women's water polo, while silverware to be framed are those of basketball, men's volleyball and Federica Pellegrini who in the 200m sl climbs on the Olympic podium 32 years after Novella Calligaris.
- BEIJING 2008: in the majestic 'Bird's Nest' stadium the games of the XXIX Olympiad kick off on 8 August, with the hosts scoring medals: 100 in total, 51 of which gold. Absolute protagonists are Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt. The American swimmer sets the absolute record for victories in the same Olympics by winning 8 golds (five in individual races and three in relay), with seven world records. The Jamaican sprinter confirms that he is the fastest man on the planet: gold in the 100 and 200 meters, as well as the one with the 4x100m relay; on all three occasions the new world record is also set. There are 27 blue podiums, with eight gold medals. L'Valentina Vezzali remains queen of foil and Italian boxing returns to be among the best in the world with three medals of as many metals, including Roberto Cammarelle's gold that Italy had been missing in the super heavyweight for 20 years. And then the triumphal march of Alex Schwazer, the gold and the world record in the 200 freestyle by Federica Pellegrini, as well as the hug to her children at the foot of the podium of mother Josefa Idem who, at almost 44 years old, is missing the gold in the canoe for only 4 thousandths of a second.hug to her children at the foot of the podium of mother Josefa Idem who, at almost 44 years old, misses the gold in the canoe for only 4 thousandths of a second.hug to her children at the foot of the podium of mother Josefa Idem who, at almost 44 years old, misses the gold in the canoe for only 4 thousandths of a second.
- LONDON 2012: the greenest Olympics ever were also the most expensive edition in history, hosted for the third time in the British capital: € 24 billion, ten times more than the budget forecast at the time of the candidacy. They are also the first 'social' Olympics, with over a billion fans following them while in front of the TV but thanks to smartphones, tablets and dedicated apps. The symbolic man is still Usain Bolt, with six Olympic gold medals in two editions and the first athlete to score a double in the 100 and 200 in the same edition. To undermine him is the stainless Michael Phelps, with his endless record streak reached 22 Olympic medals. For Italy there is a bronze that is worth gold,that of Valentina Vezzali who also receives the tribute of the president of the Cio Rogge who crowns her third place as one of the highest moments of the entire Olympics. The British symbol of the games is shared by Bradley Wiggins, the first cyclist ever to win a gold both on the track and on the road (4 in all), and Mohammed Farah (5,000 and 10,000) meters, the Somali-born middle-distance runner 'son' of a multiethnic and multiracial nation. Space on the cover also for Oscar Pistorius, who became the first Paralympic athlete to compete in an Olympics (in the 4x400 relay). Italy closes with podiums (8 golds, 9 silvers and 11 bronzes), in a medal table dominated by the Americans (104 medals, of which 46 gold), ahead of China (87, 38) and Great Britain (65, 29 ).
- RIO 2016: these are the first Games in South America, the ones that the country then led by Lula had managed to snatch in the race for the assignment by beating even the Chicago supported by Mr President Obama. From 5 to 21 August the Carioca city hosted the 31st edition of the five circles review, in which there was no shortage of protests from those opposed to the expenses for the organization of the event, but also the controversy over the polluted waters of the Guanabara Bay which caused a lot of concern among athletes, as well as the spread of the Zika virus, which led many to give up the big event. And the Russians from athletics were cut off from the Games, stopped for doping unmasked by the McLaren dossier. But atshadow of Christ the Redeemer and with the white beach of Copacabana transformed into an arena for the very popular beach volleyball competitions, the Brazilian Olympics were able to applaud even the greatest ever: Michael Phelps, who had retired after London, in the Rio swimming pool 5 more golds and a silver are taken. On the track, the Bolt Bolt has made his name in Olympic history, scoring the 100-200 meters brace for the third consecutive time. Nobody like him. Among the female protagonists certainly the gymnast Simone Biles who returned to America with four gold medals. Kosovo, in its first participation as an independent state, won gold thanks to the judoka Majlinda Kelmendi. Italy finished with 28 medals, 8 gold including that of Gregorio Paltrinieri in the swimming pool and Elia Viviani in track cycling.