Olympic games in London
London was
host for the first time in 1908. With 1,500 competitors from 19 nations, the
Games were by now an institution of world-wide significance. The programme,
moreover, was augmented by the inclusion of Association football (which
appeared in 1900 but only in a demonstration match), diving, field hockey, and
ice hockey, as well as other sports since discontinued.
The most
dramatic episode of these Games was in the marathon, run from Windsor to
Shepherd's Bush in London, the site of a new stadium. Pietri (Italy) led into
the arena but collapsed and was disqualified for accepting assistance from
officials. The gold medal went to the second man home, Hayes (USA), but Queen
Alexandra, who was present opposite the finishing line, was so moved by the
Italian's plight that she awarded him special gold cup. The 400 metres provided
an opportunity for Halswelle (GB) to become the only man in Olympic history to
win by a walk-over. The final was declared void after an American had been
disqualified for boring. Two other Americans withdrew from re-run final in
protest, leaving Halswelle an unopposed passage. Britain won the polo, and all
the boxing, lawn tennis, rackets, rowing, and yachting titles as well as five
out of six cycle races.
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