On This Day: The birth of the modern Olympic Games in 1896

On the face of it, the programme for the first modern Olympic Games, which were declared open on this day in 1896, had a remarkably modern feel about it.

All nine of the sports contested at the Games – a sailing and rowing competition was abandoned due to lack of interest – remain on the Olympics programme to this day.

Here, the PA news agency takes a closer look at the first example of the modern Games which would grow into the global phenomenon it is today.