Stuff You Should Know The Strange Story of the 1904 Olympic Marathon
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Aug 27, 2024 The 1904 Olympic Marathon is a wild tale of chaos, featuring characters like the determined Thomas Hicks and the scheming Fred Lourge. This race took place under absurdly harsh conditions, where dehydration and dust clouds tested the competitors like never before. Humorous anecdotes include runners napping mid-race and unconventional tactics involving strychnine. The event also highlights systemic issues of the time, including the first black athletes at the Games, adding a significant historical layer to this bizarre chapter of Olympic history.
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Origin of the Marathon
- Michel Bréal, a French linguist, proposed the marathon for the modern Olympics.
- He drew inspiration from the story of Pheidippides, who ran from Marathon to Athens.
George Eyser's Achievement
- George Eyser, an American gymnast with a wooden leg, won six medals in one day at the 1904 Olympics.
- This highlighted the inclusivity of the early Olympics.
James Sullivan's Prejudice
- James E. Sullivan, the 1904 Olympics organizer, held racist and sexist views.
- He pushed for Jim Thorpe's medals to be stripped and opposed Black and female athletes.