Editing 1896 Summer Olympics (section)

=== Weightlifting ===
{{Main|Weightlifting at the 1896 Summer Olympics}}

[[File:Launceston Elliot.jpg|thumb|[[Launceston Elliot]], winner of the one-armed weightlifting event, was popular with the Greek audience, who found him very handsome]]

The sport of weightlifting was still young in 1896, and the rules differed from those in use today. Competitions were held outdoors, in the infield of the [[Panathenaic Stadium|main stadium]], and there were no weight limits. The first event was held in a style now known as the "[[clean and jerk]]". Two competitors stood out: Briton [[Launceston Elliot]] and [[Viggo Jensen]] of Denmark. Both of them lifted the same weight, but the jury, with Prince George as the chairman, ruled that Jensen had done so in a better style. The British delegation, unfamiliar with this tie-breaking rule, lodged a protest. The lifters were eventually allowed to make further attempts, but neither lifter improved, and Jensen was declared the champion.<ref name="C70-71">Coubertin–Philemon–Politis–Anninos (1897), 70–71</ref>

Elliot got his revenge in the [[Weightlifting at the 1896 Summer Olympics – Men's one hand lift|one hand lift]] event, which was held immediately after the two-handed one. Jensen had been slightly injured during his last two-handed attempt and was no match for Elliot, who won the competition easily. The Greek audience was charmed by the British victor, whom they considered very attractive. A curious incident occurred during the weightlifting event: a servant was ordered to remove the weights, which appeared to be a difficult task for him. Prince George came to his assistance; he picked up the weight and threw it a considerable distance with ease, to the delight of the crowd.{{r|C70-71}}