The first Olympic Games held outside Europe took place in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, in 1904. These Games coincided with the World’s Fair, which overshadowed the Olympics themselves. Despite limited international participation due to travel difficulties, the event marked an important milestone by expanding Olympic reach.
Only 12 countries participated, with the United States dominating the medal tally. Though not as globally inclusive as later editions, the 1904 Games helped establish the Olympic presence in North America and set the stage for broader international engagement.