Crystal Palace in London hosted a sports event in July-August 1866 organized by Liverpool's National Olympic Association. The event included track and field competitions similar to modern Olympics events. Over several thousand spectators watched competitions like the 100-yard dash, long jump, wrestling and javelin. Notable athletes competed, like H.W. Brooke who won the general competition title, a precursor to the modern decathlon, and W.G. Grace who won the 400-yard hurdles before becoming a famous cricketer. The 1866 Crystal Palace games highlighted the vision of the National Olympic Association organizers to promote open sporting competition among all people and nations, a vision that later inspired Pierre de Coubertin to restart the ancient