The Olympics: A Guide to Reference Sources

Selected Images from the Library of Congress Collections

Here are reproductions of photographs and illustrations depicting the early history of the modern Olympic games. The images are drawn from the Library's collections of books and journals. All of these images are in the public domain.

Illustration from the report of the 1908 Olympic Games
From The Fourth Olympiad, being the Official Report of the Olympic Games of 1908. London: British Olympic Association, n.d.

Medallion from the 1908 Olympic Games
From The Fourth Olympiad, being the Official Report of the Olympic Games of 1908. London: British Olympic Association, n.d.

British skaters Edgar and Florence Syers, 1908 Olympic Games
From The Fourth Olympiad, being the Official Report of the Olympic Games of 1908. London: British Olympic Association, n.d.

Swedish high diver Arvid Spangberg, 1908 Olympic Games
From The Fourth Olympiad, being the Official Report of the Olympic Games of 1908. London: British Olympic Association, n.d.

Stadium from the 1906 "Olympic Games" in Athens (not an official Olympiad)
From James Sullivan, The Olympic Games at Athens 1906. NY: American Sports Publishing Company, 1906.

W.H. Lipinger, Chairman, Olympic Games Committee (with starter's pistol), and Olympic champion Archie Hahn
From Charles Lucas, The Olympic Games 1904. St. Louis, MO: Woodward and Tiernan, 1905.

Tug-of-war competition
From Charles Lucas, The Olympic Games 1904. St. Louis, MO: Woodward and Tiernan, 1905.