The Louvre Is Going for Gold With an Upcoming Olympics Exhibition
This showcase celebrates the rich history of the Olympics, tracing its evolution from its ancient roots to its modern form and highlighting the design elements that have shaped the event over time.
Marking a significant moment for both cultural and sporting history, the exhibition coincides with Paris's third time hosting the Games, a century after its last in 1924. Visitors will embark on a journey through time, exploring the historical and political context that gave rise to the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. The exhibit will delve into the inspiration drawn from ancient Greek athletic events, highlighting the vision of key figures like Pierre de Coubertin, known as the "Father of the modern Olympic Games," and the contributions of Émile Gilliéron, the event's first official artist, and Dimitrios Vikélas, the first president of the International Olympic Committee.
One starring artifact is the very first Olympic Cup. It was awarded to a Greek water carrier called Spyridon Louis, who was the first-ever winner of the marathon race, invented by the French linguist Michel Bréal for the inaugural modern Games in 1896. The ‘Bréal Cup’ has never before been exhibited in Paris.
Other commemorative objects round out the exhibition, including, but not limited to, postage stamps and flyers immortalizing the games. Ancient vessels and sculptures depicting runners, wrestlers, and disc throwers further illustrate how Olympic sports have captured the creative imagination throughout the ages.
The exhibition is part of the cultural program of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Ahead of the competition—the Olympic Games commence July 26, and the Paralympic Games August 28—the city of Paris has unveiled this year’s medals, which were designed by jeweller Chaumet and are embedded with iron bits from the Eiffel Tower. Foreseeing a swell of visitors, museums in Paris, including the Louvre, have also raised admission fees.
