At the opening ceremony the Olympic protocol of Greece, the birthplace of the modern Games, leading the parade of nations with the host country marching in last was established.
Australian Henry Pearce underlined his dominance in a quarter-final as he stopped rowing to allow a family of ducks to pass single file in front of his boat before going on to not only win the race but also eventual gold.
The number of female athletes more than doubled as women were finally allowed to compete in gymnastics and athletics, with the USA's Betty Robinson winning the 100m - first-ever women's track event - by half a metre in only her fourth race.
Asia won their first gold medals through Japan pair Mikio Oda (triple jump) and Yoshiyuki Tsuruta (200m breaststroke).
The Indian hockey team won the first of what would be six successive gold medals while Hungary won the first of seven consecutive gold medals in team sabre fencing.
British gold medals: 3
