At the first modern Olympics held in 1896, which medals were awarded to winners?



The first modern Games were held in 1896 in Athens, Greece, with 13 countries and 311 athletes taking part in the competition. During the first modern Olympics, medals were awarded to only the top two finishers: a silver medal to the winner and a bronze medal to the runner-up. The winner also received a crown of olive branches, and the runner-up a laurel crown. 



Medal designs have varied considerably since the first Olympic Games in 1896, particularly in size and weight. A standard obverse (front) design of the medals for the Summer Olympic Games began in 1928 and remained for many years, until its replacement at the 2004 Games as the result of controversy surrounding the use of the Roman Colosseum rather than a building representing the Games' Greek roots. The medals of the Winter Olympic Games never had a common design, but regularly feature snowflakes and the event where the medal has been won.



In addition to generally supporting their Olympic athletes, some countries provide sums of money and gifts to medal winners, depending on the classes and number of medals won.



 



Picture Credit : Google


What is a golden slam in tennis?



The Golden Slam is one of the rarest achievements in tennis. It means winning all 4 Grand Slams and a singles Gold Medal at the Olympics. Winning the four majors in consecutive tournaments, but not in the same year is known as a non-calendar year Grand Slam, while winning all four majors at any point during the course of a career is known as a career Grand Slam. Winning the gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in addition to the four majors in one calendar year is known as a "golden Grand Slam" or more commonly the "Golden Slam". Also, winning the year-end championship (known as ATP Finals for men's singles and doubles disciplines, and WTA Finals for both women's disciplines) in the same period is known as a "Super Slam". Together, all four majors in all three disciplines (singles, doubles, and mixed doubles) are called a "boxed set" of Grand Slam titles. No male or female player has won all twelve events in one calendar year, although a "career boxed set" has been achieved by three female players.



Tennis has a long history of adopting golf custom and Grand slam appears to have entered tennis not directly from card sport but via golf as it was used since 1930, when Bobby Jones won the four major championships, two British and two American tournaments. Although John F. Kieran of The New York Times is widely credited with first applying the term "grand slam" to tennis to describe the winning of all four major tennis tournaments in a calendar year, sports columnist Alan Gould had used the term in that connection almost two months before Kieran.



The four Junior disciplines, boys' and girls' singles and doubles, provide limited opportunities to achieve a Grand Slam. Players are only eligible from age 13 to 18, with 18-year-olds likely to hold a physical advantage. Only Stefan Edberg has completed the Grand Slam in a Junior discipline.



 



Picture Credit : Google


Who was the second Indian Grandmaster in chess?



Dibyendu Barua (born 27 October 1966) is an Indian chess grandmaster. He is a three-time Indian Chess Champion. He was awarded the Grandmaster title in 1991 by FIDE, becoming the second Indian to achieve the title, after Viswanathan Anand. In 1983, he won the Indian Chess Championship for the first time. He has since won it twice more, in 1998 and 2001.



From a very early age, Barua started showing his talents in the game of chess. By the age of 12, he was the youngest to participate in the National Championship. Apart from the 1972 international feat, the notable achievements of Dibyendu Barua include his performances against Korchnoi in 1982, H Spangenberg in 1996 and M Basman in 1991.



urprisingly enough, his performance was looming at a low than expected after he became the International Master. There was a slow down in his career and it took him nine long years to become a Grandmaster in 1991. Lack of funds made it tough for Dibyendu Barua among the horde of flourishing youngsters.



Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua is still attached with the game of chess. He is now endeavoring to impart his knowledge of chess to the upcoming chess players of the future.



 



Picture Credit : Google