The chaotic history of the Olympics in Paris, where one games nearly ended the movement – and the other helped save it
- Written by Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania
Paris is about to host its third summer Olympics. While we don’t yet know what the legacy of this year’s games will be, let’s take the opportunity to reflect on the city’s previous Olympics of 1900 and 1924 – the first of which nearly ended the modern Olympic movement, whereas the second set it alight.

















