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The Grand Palais Sports Chronicles: 2 historic events to remember
Exactly one century ago, the Grand Palais hosted two landmark events in the history of sport: the "Art et Sport des Olympiades de Paris" exhibition, inaugurated by Pierre de Coubertin in 1924, and the first edition of the Salon des Sports in 1928. Let’s look back on these two historic moments!
1924: The Paris Olympiads already at the Grand Palais
Since the first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, Pierre de Coubertin had advocated for a competition that would unite art and sport.
After a modest attempt in Stockholm in 1912, his vision was finally realized in Paris. In May 1924 he inaugurated the "Art et Sport des Olympiades de Paris" exhibition at the Grand Palais.
The "modern pentathlon" finally sees the light of day, with architecture, literature, music, painting and sculpture as featured disciplines. 189 works celebrating movement, effort, struggle and life among consignments from 23 nations take their place at the Palais d'Antin.
While the organizers expressed their satisfaction, the press and jury were more reserved, and the Art and Sport competition initiative was abandoned in 1949. It would be reborn a few decades later with the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage (FOCP) and the programming of the Cultural Olympiads.
The Salon des Sports : a showcase for a rising sporting nation
The 1920s saw sport regain a central place in society. It became a pillar of education and a powerful tool for national unity. Sports federations expanded, covering disciplines like swimming, athletics, cycling, skiing... France counted some thirty in 1923!
It was against this backdrop, in December 1928, that the boat show doubled as the Salon International des Sports. The first edition of the Salon des Sports makes its debut at the Grand Palais! The first-floor galleries are transformed into a veritable crossroads for sports federations and their activities. The program included demonstration matches and free gymnastics classes.
A first! A spectacular innovation is unveiled on this occasion: a 300 m² ice rink installed in the main entrance hall! Young German prodigy Gertrude Klammek, a multiple medalist at Nordic championships, wowed the crowds with her stunning demonstrations.
The following year, the Salon des Sports, still held at the Grand Palais for its second edition, offered visitors "a competition for the most beautiful sporting gesture". While sport was praised for its benefits to health and morality, the organizers also wanted to highlight its aesthetic and harmonious dimensions. During the event, athletes were invited to “infuse their athletic movements with grace and beauty, the kind we admire in sporting gestures.” Armand Crestois performs a perfect flexibility gymnastics lesson and wins the cup with a score of 16.25 points out of 20 for the grace and harmony of his gestures. The audience is spellbound.
But just as sport was becoming more popular, particulary at the Grand Palais, war was approaching. How will the monument get through the Second World War? The answer in five key facts next week.
