About the Games
Following the success of the First Olympics, King George I of Greece and other Greek leaders wanted to make Athens the permanent host of the Olympic Games, but the IOC, led by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, decided to change the venue every four years.
The Second Olympic Games were part of the popular World's Fair; the competitions were spread out over five months, and some athletes never realized they were competing in the Olympic Games.
Twenty events were granted Olympic status: rowing, Basque pelota, cycling, water polo, gymnastics, golf, equestrian, cricket, croquet, athletics, sailing, tug-of-war, swimming, polo, rugby, shooting, archery, tennis, fencing, and football. Compared to previous Games, two sports were eliminated: wrestling and weightlifting.
