Staged as a stand-alone event for the first time since Athens 1896, the Games of 1908, held at short notice, marked a new era for the Olympic movement. The IOC had planned to hold them in Rome but Mount Vesuvius, which had erupted in 1906, proved to be a force beyond the committee's control.
The venue, White City Stadium in West London, housed a running track, velodrome and 100-metre open-air swimming pool in one complex that seated 100,000 spectators. There was an opening ceremony complete with parade of nations, though no uniforms were worn and the whole thing took place in July after the first medals were presented - because the tennis tournaments were held in spring.
As a stand-alone and distinctive event, the Games attracted many more athletes and much greater publicity. A record 1,999 competitors, including 36 women, from 22 nations took part in 109 events.
The vast majority of those taking part were British and indeed the host nation occupied the top eight slots in several events. This dominance lay at the heart of an American protest over the "partiality" of British judges at the Games. Though the protest made little impact on the London Games, the IOC ruled that judges from various nations would be used at subsequent Games. There was also continued controversy about events being staged on a Sunday; Forrest Smithson, the US hurdler, staged his own protest by clutching a Bible in his hands during his race.
However, one of the lasting images of the 1908 Games is that of Dorando Pietri, of Italy, who collapsed four times in the final stages of the marathon while well out in the lead. In the final metres of the race, he was supported by two British officials, one of whom was thought to be Arthur Conan Doyle, as he crossed the finish line. Pietri was subsequently disqualified for engaging "external support". Despite the Italian's protests that he did not seek help, the title went to Joseph hayes of the US. Pietri's consolation was a golden trophy from Queen Alexandra to honour his heroic effort.
The big names of London 1908 included Henry Taylor, the British swimmer who won three gold medals, and Melvin Sheppard, of the US, with three titles on the track. These were the Games at which Ray Ewry, of the US, set his record of ten individual Olympic titles - counting the two he won in Athens 1906 - by retaining his standing high jump and standing long jump titles. The tally is still a record, at 8, if Athens is not counted.
For the first and last time in Olympic history, Great Britain topped the medals table, with 56 victories, 51 silver and 39 bronze medals, over the 23 wins for the US, though many of the events included only British competitors.
CRAIG LORD
The Times
