The Games were held as part of the Paris World's Fair and events were spread over five months with less emphasis on their Olympic status.

Women made their first appearance in the modern Games with France's Mme Brohy and Mlle Ohnier taking part in croquet.

The first female champion was Britain's Charlotte Cooper in the tennis. Tennis was one of five sports (also football, polo, rowing and tug of war) in which athletes from different nations competed on the same team.

Alvin Kraenzlein won four athletics events (60m, the 110m hurdles and 200m hurdles, and the long jump) in three days - an individual record which stands today - while Ray Ewry, who had overcome childhood polio, won three championships in one day all in the standing jump events.

British gold medals: 24