TODAY marks the 120th anniversary of the first modern Olympic Games.

With only a few months to go before our athletes head to Rio, we look back at Australia’s involvement in the world-uniting tournament.

1. We’ve always been in it to win it

Australia and Greece are the only two nations to have participated in every summer Olympic Games since they were first held in Athens on April 6, 1896.

Australia has hosted the games twice. The 1956 Melbourne Games were the first time the event was held in the southern hemisphere, while the 2000 Sydney Games were Australia’s most successful Olympics with a total 58 medals won.

media_camera Australian flag bearer Lauren Jackson leads the nation’s athletes at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony.

2. Our first athlete won gold

Edwin Flack was the first and only Australian to represent the nation at the 1896 Athens Games.

Flack won gold in the 800m and 1500m race and came third in the men’s tennis doubles alongside English partner George Robertson.

media_camera Australian Edwin Flack was our first Olympian and won two gold medals in 800m and 1500m final.

3. Women rocked the 1912 Stockholm Games

Sarah “Fanny” Durack and Wilhelmina Wylie were the first two Australian women to compete in an Olympic Games.

media_camera Swimmers Wilhemina Wylie and Sarah "Fanny" Durack were the first two Australian women to compete in an Olympic Games.

Both Sydney-born swimmers, Durack and Wylie competed in the 100m freestyle in the 1912 Stockholm Games and won gold and silver respectively.

Durack’s win was the only individual gold medal Australia claimed during the Games.

media_camera Australian swimmer Sarah "Fanny" Durack receives her gold medal for winning 100m freestyle at 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games.

4. There’s a reason we call him ‘Thorpedo’

Swimmer Ian Thorpe is Australia’s most successful Olympian of all time, having won the most gold medals.

Thorpe won five gold, three silver and one bronze during the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Games.

media_camera Ian Thorpe celebrates winning gold in the Men’s 200m freestyle at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Thorpe and fellow swimmer Leisel Jones have also won the most Olympic medals than any Australian athlete, a total of nine each.

Jones won three gold, five silver and one bronze during the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games.

Jones was just 15 when she won her first medal coming second in the 100m breaststroke in Sydney.

media_camera Aussie Leisel Jones wins gold in the Women's 100m Breaststroke Final at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

5. Australia is awesome at swimming

Swimming is by far Australia’s most successful sport at the Olympics with a total of 190 medals won since the 1896 Games - 59 gold, 66 silver and 65 bronze.

media_camera The Sydney Harbour Bridge lit up with fireworks after the closing ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Pic: Adam Pretty/ALLSPORT.

Athletics is the nation’s second most decorated sport with a total of 70 medals, followed by cycling, rowing and sailing.