Where Did The First Modern Olympic Games Originate?

The first modern Olympics took place in the little town of Much Wenlock, in Shropshire in 1850. It was the idea of one Doctor William Penny Brookes. He was upset by the way most of the town's men folk spent a great portion of their time down the pub that he came up with the idea of a modern Olympiad to occupy their time. He believed the physical activity would make them better Christians. The idea for an Olympic Games was later adopted by Baron Coubertin in 1896.

The first of Brookes' modern Olympics gave small cash prizes for running, long jump, quoits, football and cricket. Other sporting events like the blindfolded wheelbarrow race, a pig race and a mediaeval tilting contest were added in years shortly after. The winners were crowned with laurel  and given medals picturing Nike the goddess of victory. The fame of the games spread far and wide. King George I of the Hellenes even sent  a silver medal to awarded as a prize.

Brookes founded the National Olympic Association in 1865 and staged the first games at London's Crystal Palace. It was snubbed by top sportsmen owing to lack of sponsorship.