Olympic Attire Through the Ages

The modern Olympic games, under the auspices of Baron Pierre de Coubertin’s International Olympic Charter (which still governs the games today) began in 1896. The first Olympics featured 241 athletes from 14 nations who competed in 43 different events. The estimated participation for the upcoming 2012 summer Olympics is 10,500 athletes from 204 countries set to compete in 302 events! As you’d expect, a lot has changed about the games since 1986: Women are now allowed to participate (much to de Coubertin’s chagrin), professional athletes can compete, and, hoo-boy have Olympic fashions changed! Click on to see a sampling of competitors’ attire over throughout the years.