Photos

  • 15th July 1908: Women archers participating in the National Round (60 yards -50 yards) at the 1908 London Olympics, which was won by Sybil 'Queenie' Newall of Great Britain. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
  • British athlete Wyndham Halswelle crosses the finishing line of the re-run Olympic 400 Metres final at White City, 25th July 1908. Halswelle was the sole participant of the race after the original winner, John Carpenter, was disqualified and his American team mates refused to take part. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
  • 22nd July 1908: A referee closely watches the final of the Light Heavyweight Greco-Roman Wrestling event at the 1908 London Olympics. Verner Weckman of Finland won the Gold Medal beating fellow countryman Yrjo Saarela. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
  • The Irish and German national teams competing in the Bicycle Polo final at the Shepherd's Bush Stadium during the 1908 London Olympics where the event had been included as a demonstration sport. The Irish team won 3-1, 13th July 1908. (Photo by Topical Press/Getty Images)
  • 24th July 1908: Three divers in mid-air action during a diving display at the 1908 London Olympics. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
  • 17th July 1908: The British Cycling Pursuit Team who won the Gold Medal at the 1908 London Olympics over a distance of 1810.5 metres (later to become 4000 metres), (left to right) Leonard Meredith, Ernest Payne, Charles Kingsbury, Benjamin Jones. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
  • US athlete Ray Ewry (1873 - 1937) wins the standing high jump at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, 23rd July 1908. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
  • Danish gymnasts at the 1908 Summer Olympics at White City Stadium in London, 14th July 1908. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
  • Italian athlete Dorando Pietri (1885 - 1942) approaches the White City Stadium at the end of the marathon, during the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, 24th July 1908. Despite being the first to the finish line, he was disqualified for having been physically supported at the end of the race. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
About the Games

On this day... 27 April 1908

The Olympic Games London 1908 began on 27 April. 2008 athletes competed in 22 sports (24 disciplines), including some very special events such as tug-of-war, bicycle polo and jeu de paume. 22 National Olympic Committees were represented. Great Britain ended the Games with the biggest medal haul (146), way above the USA's total of 47.

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