The first modern Olympics took place in 1896. Hosted in Athens, Greece, this event marked the revival of the ancient Olympic Games, which had been held for centuries before being abolished in 393 AD. The 1896 Olympics featured athletes from 13 nations competing in 43 events across nine sports, including track and field, swimming, and gymnastics. The games were initiated by Pierre de Coubertin, who sought to promote international understanding and athletic competition. The success of the 1896 Olympics laid the foundation for the development of the modern Olympic movement and its continuing tradition of celebrating global athletic prowess and unity.