In the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, winners received silver medals.
Why it is true
In that edition held in Athens, gold was not yet the standard for first place, with a silver medal awarded to the winner and a copper one to the runner-up, reversing the current tradition.
Source: Olympics
Would you rather be asked first?
This is the reading side of the site, so the answer is in the sentence above — that is the whole point of it. Test yourself works the other way round: the question comes on its own, and the fact and the explanation only appear once you have answered.
Related facts
History
The shortest war in history lasted only 38 minutes.
History
The first person to ever be convicted of speeding was going just 8 mph (about 12 km/h).
History
Winners of the ancient Olympic Games received olive wreaths, not gold medals.
History
Napoleon was attacked (and defeated) by a horde of rabbits.