1904 St. Louis, U.S.A.
Transatlantic Tradegy
Durating Six Months with 390 Contests
It is the time when the "sun began to shine on the West", where the Americas were being discovered by the Europeans. Theodore Roosevelt celebrates the freedom of Cuba after the war with Spain and the completion of the Panama Canal. It is the beginning of the American recognition as a worldwide power positioned at the center of the world. It was only natural that it was time for the Olympics to be held there.
Yet, again, instead of the "American dream" the Olympic movement will experience an "American nightmare" that would have probably resulted in a total and permanent destruction of the Olympic Games.
The Games were awarded to the city of Chicago, but Roosevelt demanded that the Games were staged in St. Louis because of the "Louisiana Purchase Exposition" that was taking place at the same time. The IOC greeted the demand with skepticism but due to the fact that the IOC was not a powerful organization, the president’s demand was accepted. The Baron never attended the Games demonstrating against the change of the cities. The great distance from Europe and the Russo-Japanese war forced many nations not to participate in the Games, resulting in a poor attendance. Ten countries participated in the Games, two less than Paris and three less than the Athens Olympiad.
The Saint Louis Games were composed of racist activities, a comical marathon and a lack of competition. The Baron De Couberten stated, "These things happen only in America".
A distinctive characteristic of the Games was the duration. The Games lasted for nearly five months in which 390 athletic events were staged. Fortunately only 88 were recognized since many of the events were tragically extraordinary. One of the events was a boat race in which the boats had engines!!!
Racism was also evident in the Games. Spectators, Americans in majority, considered the naked athletes from the third-world countries, a joyful spectacle. These athletes were mainly from Asia and Africa, competed in events invented by perverted individuals and were also included in the program of the Olympics.
Distinctions in these Games were few. Among them was an American by the name James Lightbody that won two gold medals in the 800m and 1500m. Another humorous event of the Games was the marathon. A Cuban athlete name Felix Cartzaval competing in the marathon would have surely won the race if he had not stopped to ask for money from the spectators and if he had not stopped to eat apples offered by Americans, He finished 4th. The American that crossed the finish line first and considered the winner, was later on dismissed since it was proved that he used a car for nearly 15 Kilometers! The actual winner Tom Hicks was charged with doping because he consumed brandy prior to the race. He justified himself by explaining that what was said was a farce.
He was right. These Games was a farce!