Athens: The first medallists in Athens were crowned with olive wreaths on Saturday, reviving a tradition going back to the Olympics’ ancient Greek origins.

Chinese shooter Du Li, winner of the Games’ first gold in the women’s 10m air rifle competition, got a wreath to go with her medal, as did runner-up Lioubov Galkina of Russia and third-placed Katerina Kurkova of the Czech Republic.

In the ancient Olympics, a crown of olive leaves was the winner’s only prize. Later laurel wreathes were used. When the Games were revived in Athens in 1896, champions also received an olive wreath as well as a silver medal and a diploma.

The familiar Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals were introduced eight years later in St Louis.