The inaugural Olympic Congress, which led to the founding of the International Olympic Committee, was held in:

The first Olympic Congress was organised by Baron Pierre de Coubertin at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France, from 16 to 23 June 1894. At this congress, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded on 23 June 1894, and it was decided to revive the Olympic Games.

Decisions of the 1894 Congress:

• The modern Olympic Games would be held every four years, moving to a different city each time.
• The first Games would be held in Athens, Greece, in 1896, in honour of the ancient Olympic Games of Greece.

Demetrios Vikelas of Greece was chosen as the first President of the IOC, and Pierre de Coubertin served as Secretary-General. Coubertin became the IOC President in 1896 and served until 1925.

The motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius" was adopted.

23 June is now celebrated every year as "Olympic Day".

About the IOC:

It is the supreme authority of the Olympic movement.

Its headquarters was moved from Paris to Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1915, during World War I. Lausanne is now called the "Olympic Capital".

Its current President is Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe, who took office in June 2025 as the first woman and the first African to lead the IOC. She succeeded Thomas Bach of Germany (2013-2025).

India and the IOC:

• Sir Dorabji Tata helped India send its first team to the 1920 Olympics and became the first President of the Indian Olympic Association (1927).
• Nita Ambani became an IOC member from India in 2016.
• India hosted the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai in October 2023, the second IOC Session in India after New Delhi in 1983.
• India has expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Athens (1896) hosted the first modern Olympic Games, not the founding congress.
• ✗Lausanne (1915) became the IOC's headquarters.
• ✗London (1908) hosted the fourth Olympic Games.