2. Background
Italian authorities were preparing to hold the games when Mount Vesuvius
erupted on April 7, 1906, devastating the city of Naples. Funds were diverted
to the reconstruction of Naples, so a new venue was required. London was
selected, and the games were held in White City alongside the Franco-British
Exhibition, at the time the more noteworthy event. Berlin and Milan were
other candidates.
The White City Stadium, built in short time for the games, held 68,000 and
was considered by some a technological marvel. The stadium track was three
laps to the mile, not the current standard of 400 metres, with a pool for
swimming and diving and platforms for wrestling and gymnastics in the
middle.
3. How many nations
participated?
There was considerable controversy, as the United Kingdom participated
as a single country, including the Irish, which they disagreed.
Participated 22 nations:
4. How many nations
participated?
1. Argentina
2. Australasia
3. Austria
4. Belgium
5. Bohemia
6. Canada
7. Denmark
8. Finland
9. France
10. Germany
11. Greece
5. How many nations
participated?
1. Argentina 12. Great Britain
2. Australasia 13. Hungary
3. Austria 14. Italy
4. Belgium 15. Netherlands
5. Bohemia 16. Norway
6. Canada 17. Russia
7. Denmark 18. South Africa
8. Finland 19. Sweden
9. France 20. Switzerland
10. Germany 21. United States
11. Greece 22. Turkey
6. Which sports events took
place?
There were 24 sports disciplines in this Modern Olympic
Games:
• Archery • Rugby union
• Athletics • Sailing
• Boxing • Shooting
• Cycling • Swimming
• Diving • Tennis
• Fencing • Tug of war
• Figure skating • Water motorsports
• Football • Water polo
• Gymnastics • Wrestling
• Hockey • Rowing
• Jeu de paume
• Lacrosse
• Polo
• Rackets
7. Important moments: pietri
The most famous incident of the games came at the end of the marathon.
The first to enter the stadium, Dorando Pietri of Italy, collapsed several
times and ran the wrong way. Not far from the finish, two officials took
him by the arms and brought him to the line. As a consequence, after
crossing the line he was disqualified. The medal went to American
Johnny Hayes of the Irish American Athletic Club who was second, but
the glory went to Pietri. Since he had not been responsible for his
disqualification, Queen Alexandra next day awarded him a gilded silver
cup.
8. The winter events and the
philosophy
These Games were the first to include Winter events, as had
originally been proposed for the Games. There were four figure
skating events, although held months after other events.
For the first time the Olympic creed that "the most important thing in
the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part" was publicly
proclaimed, and its creator, a bishop from Pennsylvania, uttered it at
a service at St. Paul's Cathedral on July 19.
