OZ Spots: Olympic saga

Australia has an unbroken record since the Olympic Games started in 1896

Did you know that Australia’s oldest newspaper in publication,  The Sydney Morning Herald, has covered the Olympic Games since 1896? Well, it has.

It changed its name in 1841 by just adding ‘Morning’ to its title, thanks to new owners John Fairfax and Charles Kemp. 

The Sydney Morning Herald continues as Australia’s longest running newspaper.

In1896, Edwin Flack became the first Australian Olympian and only contestant. Flack was winner of two gold medals distance events; he also lined-up for the marathon but collapsed half-way.
 

Main: The first Opening Ceremony at  Athens in 1896.
 

Star spinner Jesse Owens at the Berlin Games in 1936. He won 4 gold medals. 
 

The Golden Games: Betty Cuthbert, the Golden Girl, in action at the Melbourne Olympics Games, the first to change its timeclock, in 1956.
 

Hat-trick for Shane! In the tragic Munich Olympic Games of 1972, Shane won the 200 metres, 200 metres relay and 400 metres freestyle.  An estimated one billion viewers watched spellbound as “tragic overshowed triumph” at these Games. Arab terrorists invaded the village, kidnapping 11 Israeli athletes.
 

Paris Olympics Games: 11 things you ought to know