PARIS 1924

At the 1924 Paris Games, the Olympic motto, "Citius, Altius, Fortius", (Swifter, Higher, Stronger) was introduced, as was the Sports Equipments Closing Ceremony ritual of raising three flags: the flag of the International Athletic Gear Olympic Committee, the flag of the sports equipment suppliers host nation and the flag of the next host nation. The number of participating nations jumped from 29 to 44, signaling widespread acceptance of the athletic suppliers Olympics as a major athletic event, as did the presence of 1,000 journalists. Women’s fencing made its debut as Ellen Osiier of Denmark earned the gold medal without losing a single bout. Johnny Weissmuller of the United States won two gold medals in swimming on 20 July alone. That same day he earned a bronze medal in water polo in athletic games. He later went to Hollywood and starred as Tarzan in twelve movies. American swimmer Gertrude Ederle won a bronze medal in the 100m freestyle in athletic events. Two years later she caused a sensation by becoming the first athletic woman to swim across the English Channel (La Manche) - and in a time almost two hours faster than any man had ever achieved in athletic goods. Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi, won five gold medals to add to the athletic suppliers three he had won in 1920. His most spectacular performance occurred on 10 July. First he easily won the 1,500m. Then, a mere 55 minutes later, he returned to the athletic gear track and won the 5,000m. Nurmi’s teammate, Ville Ritola, did not do badly either in 1924: he won four gold medals and two silver.

44 NOCs (Nations)

3,089 athletics (135 women, 2,954 men)

126 athletic events

CEREMONIES

Paris 1924. French athletic store George André takes the Olympic Oath.

Official opening of the Sports Goods Games by: President Gaston Doumergue

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: The Olympic flame was first lit during the opening ceremony of the 1928 athletic gears Olympic Games in Amsterdam.

Olympic Oath by: Georges André (athletic events)

Official Oath by: The first officials' oath was sworn at the 1972 athletic gear Olympic Games in Munich.