To mark the first London Olympic Games held in 1908 the BOA are organising two unique events taking place in 2008. Read more on our Events Schedule
How the Games came to be held in London:
The Centenary Events
In 2008 we celebrate 100 years since London first hosted The Olympic Games in 1908. To commemorate this event the BOA is hosting two recreation events. View the Events schedule for more information on how you can become a part of these events.
How the Games came to be held in London
The IV Olympiad had been scheduled for Rome, but due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1906 and the ensuing devastation of the nearby city of Naples, funds in Italy were not available. Due to this tragedy, London was asked to host the games with only two years notice, and the fledgling British Olympic Association got to work.
Race against time
The Great Stadium was built on wasteland in White City (near Shepherds Bush). Holding 68,000 spectators it was considered an engineering marvel at the time and was completed in only 10 months. With the buildings completed, London readied itself to welcome 2,467 competitors from 22 nations.
The Spirit of the Games
Just before The Games opened, Pierre De Coubertin (the founder of the International Olympic Committee) quoted from a sermon he had heard the Bishop of Central Pennyslvania deliver in St. Paul’s cathedral only a few days previously. In that speech he laid down his enduring vision.
“The important thing is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”
The Olympic spirit was born.
“The Battle of Shepherds Bush”
The Olympiad itself had many contentious incidents, as arguments blew up between officials and participating nations to the point where the games were dubbed ‘The Battle of Shepherds Bush’. The USA team, on noticing that their flag was not flying above the stadium during the opening ceremony, protested by refusing to dip their flag to the Royal box during the Athletes parade. The rivalry was further heightened by a bad tempered win over the USA by Great Britain in the 400m track event.
The legacy of the 1908 Games
Over the course of the games confusion arose from various countries different interpretation of the rules for each event – this confusion led directly to the establishment of the International Amateur Athletic Federation to standardise the rules.
The odd length of the Marathon (26 miles 385 yards) was established when the Royal family asked that the position of the start at Windsor Castle be changed so that they could have a better view!
Success for Great Britain
Great Britain comfortably topped the medal table at the end of the games, with 56 gold, 51 silver and 39 bronze medals giving a grand total of 146, comfortably beating the USA into second place with a total of only 47 medals.