The 1896 Summer Olympics were the first modern Olympic Games, held in Athens, Greece. Organized by the International Olympic Committee, the event featured 280 athletes from 13 nations competing in 43 events across nine sports, including athletics, swimming, and wrestling. The games aimed to revive the ancient Olympic tradition and promote international unity through sports. The Greek athlete Spyridon Louis won the marathon, becoming a national hero. The success of the 1896 Games laid the foundation for the future of the Olympics, leading to the establishment of a regular international sporting event.