The Olympic Games in 1896 - the Games of the I Olympiad - were a landmark in the history of Olympism as the first Olympic... Games of the modern era. The first celebration of the modern Olympic Games took place in its ancient birthplace of Athens. The Games attracted 241 athletes from 14 nations, with the largest delegations coming from Greece, Germany, France and Great Britain. With stadiums filled to capacity for competitions such as the Olympic marathon run final, the Athens 1896 Summer Games lead the way to over a century of Olympic history.