Athens played host to the first modern Olympic Games. After more than 1,500 years since the original Olympic Games, 60,000 spectators witnessed 14 nations compete in nine separate events. Some tourists visiting the area on holiday were even allowed to sign up for some events! The schedule for this Olympics included swimming, track and field, gymnastics, wrestling, weightlifting, fencing, shooting, tennis and cycling. The cycling featured both road and track disciplines. Five nations competed in the cycling events which included: Austria; France; Germany; Great Britain and Greece, but it was the French who dominated these events with Leon Flameng and Paul Masson winning 6 medals between them. Their medal haul included 4 gold on the track, a silver in the 10km and bronze in the sprint event. The bikes they were riding were fixed gear with Flameng’s bikes sporting a rather nice double top tube frame design.
Courtesy if Wikipedia.
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