Wrestling at the 1896 Summer Olympics

Lore & Background

The wrestling competition at the 1896 Summer Olympics was organized by the Sub-Committee for Wrestling and Gymnastics, whose members included Joan. Phokianos (president), George Streit (secretary), and several others such as Loukas Belos, Nic. Politis, and Spiridon Comoundouros. Five wrestlers from four nations—Germany, Great Britain, Greece, and Hungary—competed in the single event. Greece entered two wrestlers, while the other nations each sent one.

Reader's Guide

The 1896 wrestling event marks the first appearance of the sport in the modern Olympic Games. Although only one event was held, it established wrestling as an Olympic discipline. The medals awarded today are retroactively assigned by the International Olympic Committee; originally, winners received a silver medal and no awards were given for subsequent places. The event was overseen by a dedicated sub-committee, reflecting the early organizational structure of the Games. This competition set a precedent for future Olympic wrestling events, which would expand in later years.

Did You Know?

• Only one wrestling event was contested at the 1896 Summer Olympics.
• Five competitors from four nations participated: Germany, Great Britain, Greece, and Hungary.
• Medals are retroactively assigned by the International Olympic Committee; winners originally received a silver medal.
• The event was organized by the Sub-Committee for Wrestling and Gymnastics, which had eleven members.