1932 Los Angeles, U.S.A.
The tenth Olympic games of Los Angeles were really what we would expect
from any Olympic Games. The unsuccessful Games in 1904 proved that the
Americans had learned their lesson well. The athletic infrastructure was
excellent and the first Olympic Village created for the Games aided in
the decrease of the money spent for each athlete present (from USD 1500
to 500). This proved later to be vital for the maximum number of participants.
The first record of the Games was the number of spectators, which exceeded those of the Athens Games. In the commencement ceremony, 100.000 spectators filled every seat. While 40.000 to 80.000 spectators watched the track and field events. Bill Henry was a live commentator at the Games describing and commentating on the action, live. He remained calm when a brawl was about to erupt among American and Finnish spectators over the bump that occurred in the final lap of the 5000m event. The Finnish athlete won the race from the American. Henry kept his composure and pleaded the spectators remain in their seats by saying "Gentlemen, please remember that these people are our guests".
The extraordinary event of the Games was the victory and the world record of Stanislava Valasienic in the 100m. She did not make news by her record but with the fact that she was a man.
Another character of the Games was the American William Arthur Carr who won the 400m which was new world record. When Carr was 17 years old he had a horrible accident that resulted in him breaking his ankles. Nevertheless he managed to heal his ankles and get involved with athletics. A year later in 1933 Carr was involved in another accident, when a train hit him and left him paralyzed forever.
Miltred "Babe" Dickrison was another spectacular athlete who wanted to compete in 5 events, but according to the protocol she was only allowed to compete in 3. She chose the high jump, the 80m and javelin. She won the javelin and the 80m while coming in second in the high jump.