Marathon Mishaps: Stockholm 1912

The Stockholm 1912 Olympics provided some of the most bizarre and tragicomical moments in Olympic history, particularly in the marathon event. Two marathoners, Shizo Kanakuri from Japan and Francisco Lázaro from Portugal, had extraordinary and ultimately heartbreaking journeys.

Shizo Kanakuri's Marathon Misadventure

Shizo Kanakuri, a Japanese athlete, had to pay his own way to the Games, enduring a long, arduous journey on the Trans-Siberian Express. His experience was further marred by an unpalatable foreign diet and a bedridden coach suffering from tuberculosis. Despite these challenges, Kanakuri set out to compete on a sweltering Swedish summer's day.

Francisco Lázaro's Tragic End

Francisco Lázaro, a fit and hopeful Portuguese carpenter, faced a tragic end. On the same grueling day, he collapsed during the race and died the following day, possibly due to heat exhaustion or an electrolyte imbalance. His death underscored the harsh conditions and lack of proper medical understanding at the time.

The Gentleman’s Agreement Gone Awry

South African marathoners Christian Gitsham and Ken McArthur, running together in the Stockholm marathon, had a gentleman's agreement to stop for water simultaneously. However, McArthur broke the agreement, leaving Gitsham behind and securing the gold medal while Gitsham took silver.

Johnny Hayes’ Unique Celebration

At the 1908 London Olympics, American marathoner Johnny Hayes won gold after Italian runner Dorando Pietri was disqualified for receiving assistance. Hayes celebrated his victory in an unusual way – he was carried around the stadium on a table by his teammates, avoiding the traditional medal bite.

The Plunge and Rope Climbing

Early Olympic events included bizarre competitions like the plunge, where athletes dived into a pool and saw how far they could travel without moving their limbs. Rope climbing was another unusual event where competitors shimmied up a rope as quickly as possible. Both events lacked spectator appeal and were eventually discontinued.

Cultural and Artistic Competitions

Between 1912 and 1948, the Olympics awarded medals for artistic achievements in town planning, sculpture, architecture, music, painting, and literature. Notably, Baron de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, won a gold medal for his poem "Ode to Sport."

Oscar Swahn: The Oldest Olympian

Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn participated in three consecutive Olympics from 1908 to 1920, winning multiple medals. At 72, he became the oldest medalist in Olympic history, a record that still stands.

The First Photo Finish: Los Angeles 1932

The 1932 Los Angeles Olympics introduced photo finishes, leading to the first recorded instance of film deciding a race outcome. American sprinters Eddie Tolan and Ralph Metcalfe finished neck-and-neck in the 100-meter final. Despite identical times, Tolan was awarded gold based on the film analysis, a decision Metcalfe disputed for the rest of his life.

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