Abstract

After the success of the Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 the Greek government and the American team suggested permanently hosting the Games in Athens. Coubertin, however, was not in favour of this plan. Various IOC members presented a compromise: Games should be held alternately in Athens and capitals throughout the world. German IOC members proposed this idea formally and the IOC session in 1901 agreed, opposing Coubertin's wishes. In spring 1906 the Olympic Games took place in Athens, which Coubertin had repeatedly announced in the Revue Olympique and later described as "brilliantly carried out". For the first time the nations marched into the stadium, athletes were chosen and sent by the NOC and gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded at the winners' ceremony. The planned Games for 1910 and 1914 were prepared but not implemented due to political conflicts in the Balkans. Soon the Olympic Games in Athens 1906 suffered a loss of status and were only referred to as "interim Games". But for historians these Olympic Games remain equal to those organised from 1896 until 2000. Verf. Referat