1920 Summer Olympics

The Olympic Games held in Antwerp, Belgium, from April to September 1920. They were the first Summer Olympics after World War I and introduced the Olympic flag and athletes’ oath.

1920 Summer Olympics opening ceremony: The ceremony that opened the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp on August 14, 1920. It introduced the Olympic flag and the athletes’ oath at the Games.
World War I: A global war fought from 1914 to 1918, centered on Europe and involving many world powers. It forced the cancellation of the planned 1916 Olympics and framed Antwerp’s postwar Games.
Olympic flag: A flag bearing five interlaced rings, representing the Olympic Movement and its worldwide reach. It was flown publicly for the first time at the Antwerp Games.
Olympic exclusion of Germany: The exclusion of German athletes from the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games after World War I. The absence of Germany reflected the Games’ unresolved postwar political divisions.
1920 Summer Olympics medal table: The ranking of national teams by medals won at the 1920 Summer Olympics. It shows Belgium’s strong result as host and the United States’ leading medal total.
1916 Summer Olympics: The Olympics planned for Berlin in 1916, canceled because of World War I. Its cancellation made Antwerp the first Olympic host after the war.
Olympic oath: A pledge made by an athlete on behalf of competitors at an Olympic opening ceremony. Victor Boin delivered the first Olympic oath at Antwerp’s opening ceremony.
Olympic exclusion of Austria and Hungary: The exclusion of Austrian and Hungarian athletes from the 1920 Summer Olympics after World War I. Their absence showed that Olympic participation followed the victors’ postwar settlement.
Paavo Nurmi: Finnish distance runner who won nine Olympic gold medals across the 1920, 1924, and 1928 Games. His first Olympic victories came in Antwerp, launching a celebrated distance-running career.
Belgium in World War I: The experience of German invasion, occupation, and wartime devastation in Belgium from 1914 to 1918. Belgium’s wartime suffering informed the choice of Antwerp as host.

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