Harvard student got 1st title in modern Games Updated: 2006-03-18 14:52 On 6 April 1896, the American James Connolly won
the triple jump to become the first Olympic champion in more than 1,500
years. He was awarded a silver medal and an olive branch. He also finished
second in the high jump and third in the long jump. He left Harvard University
to travel to Athens on a cargo ship and then by train to compete.
