The Remarkable 1924 Paris Olympics: A Century-Old Legacy

The 1924 Paris Olympic Games hold a special place in sports history, taking place from May 4 to July 27. This was the second time Paris hosted the Olympics, the first being in 1900.

The modern Olympic motto, "Citius, Altius, Fortius" ("Faster, Higher, Stronger"), made its debut here. For the first time, an Olympic Village was built to house the athletes, allowing them to prepare more effectively for their events. Previously, competitors were accommodated in hotels, schools, or barracks.

This Olympiad was also notable for including an art competition where architects, writers, musicians, painters, and sculptors could win medals for sports-themed works, a practice that ended after 1948.

Memorable moments include the "Flying Finns," a Finnish track team led by legendary runner Paavo Nurmi. American swimmer Johnny Weissmuller won three of his five Olympic gold medals here before becoming famous for playing Tarzan in films during the 1930s and 40s. British runners Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell also won gold in the 100m and 400m races, respectively, inspiring the 1981 film "Chariots of Fire."

Archival photographs from these games offer a fascinating glimpse into the uniforms, physiques, and atmosphere of that era.