Games of the II Olympiad
The Games of 1900 were held in Paris as part of the Exposition Universelle Internationale – the Paris World’s Fair. The exposition organizers spread the events over five months and de-emphasized their Olympic status. Women made their first appearance in the modern Games in golf, tennis and croquet.
In 1900, no official Canadian team was sent but George Orton, a Canadian from Ontario studying in the United States, won two medals competing on his own. He won gold in the 3,000m steeplechase and bronze in the 400m hurdles event. Orton also finished fifth in the 4,000m steeplechase. He is regarded by the Canadian Olympic Committee as the first Canadian Olympic medallist.
