The good news of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens spread throughout Greece, and the whole of Greece became a sea of pride and joy, full of people talking gleefully about the Olympic Games. But compared to the enthusiasm and joy of the people, the Greek government was silent.
The Greek government has unspeakable grievances. Greece simply cannot afford to host a grand world multi-sport event. After Greece got rid of Turkish rule in 1830, although more than 60 years have passed, economic construction is still faltering, people's lives are still difficult, Greece is the most backward country in Europe at the same time, the economy is depressed, and the debt is high. The year before, Greece's economy had collapsed almost completely. Given the Greek government's financial difficulties, the Greek Prime Minister hopes that the Olympic Games in two years' time will be postponed as appropriate.
Coubertin was heartbroken when he heard the news, and if the first Olympic Games could not be held in Greece, then the new cause he was engaged in would be difficult to thrive without the nourishment of Olympia breast milk.
Coubertin did not accept the Greek government's proposal to postpone the operation, nor did he accept the proposal to change the operation of other cities, and he insisted on doing everything in his power to assist the president of the first Olympic Committee and the Greek government and people to successfully host the first Olympic Games, connecting with the great traditions of the ancient Olympic Games.
The Greek government subsequently made a public statement refusing to host the International Olympic Games. Distraught, Coubertin summoned members of the National Olympic Committees to discuss countermeasures, and finally decided to go to Athens himself and directly persuade the Greek government and the royal family. Coubertin resolutely put aside the wedding he was planning and hurried to Athens.
In Athens, through fieldwork, Coubertin had a personal understanding of the embarrassment of the Greek prime minister, but he still had expectations. After being politely rejected by the Prime Minister, Coubertin continued to frequently visit senior government officials, parliamentarians and celebrities from all walks of life together with Viquelas, hoping to gain support from all sides.
Thanks to Coubercher's efforts, Crown Prince Constantine of Greece finally agreed to do everything in his power to keep the Games in his hometown as scheduled, and agreed to serve as honorary chairman of the Athens Olympic Organizing Committee.
Crown Prince Constantine formed a preparatory committee and chaired itself. But the lack of funds is still an intractable problem, and although mass campaigns to donate to the Olympics have been launched across the country, the funds raised are still far from the funds needed. Eventually, Sacolaforth, founder of the Greek Philatelic Society, proposed issuing a set of Olympic stamps to raise funds. The Postal Department took his advice and designed a set of Olympic-themed stamps that were sold at a price above par value, earning 400,000 people in a single move. This funding ensured the smooth convening of the Olympic Games. Therefore, this Olympic Games has been praised by people as the "Olympic Games saved by stamps". But in fact, without Coubertin's persistence and efforts, the dream of rekindling the Olympic flame in Athens, Greece, may really come to naught.
