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The First Olympic Protest
By Rebecca Jenkins
Just over 100 years ago,
London hosted its first
Olympic Games – the
Fourth Olympiad of 1908.
It was a fledgling version of hydrate, so the winning time
what we have today – only wouldn’t have even qualified
2023 athletes competed, a modern athlete for the
approximately the same Olympic team today.
number that will participate
in just the athletic It is well known that in 1908,
events in 2012. the marathon was run for the
first time at the modern
Of course, the Olympic Olympic distance of 26
Games were rather different miles, 385 yards. But what
then – there was no torch is often overlooked is that
relay, or spectacular opening these Edwardian games
ceremony with a stadium were the first to have an
transformed by pageants opening ceremony revolving
of England’s green and around a parade of nations;
pleasant land. In 1908, the in short, the first London
tug-of-war was a medal- Olympics witnessed the birth
winning contest, as were of Team GB.
massed gymnastic displays
(very popular with the It has been said that whereas
northern European nations the Germans excavated
with military conscription) Ancient Olympia and the
and marathon runners were French reanimated its spirit,
not encouraged to re- the Edwardian sons of the
Reader's Book 35
