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The King Opens the Olympic Games, 1908
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The King Opens the Olympic Games, 1908
Illustration by W. Hatherell showing Edward VII with Queen Alexandra at the opening of the 1908 Olympic Games in London. Rome had originally been selected to host the 1908 Olympics, but the Italian organizers withdrew after a 1906 eruption of Mount Vesuvius created havoc in the country. The IOC asked the British Olympic Association to take over. London was well-equipped to stage the Games, but it was the first Olympics to be overshadowed by political disagreements and controversy over judging decisions. The Finns were told they would have to walk under a Russian flag so they chose not to carry a flag at all. Irish athletes could only take part under Great Britains flag and the Americans refused to tip their flag at the king during the opening ceremony. Many judging decisions went against the Americans as a result. Date: 1908
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Media ID 7214559
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Alexandra Eruption Host Mount Olympic Olympics Opening Opens Originally Selected Vesuvius Games Hatherell
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This illustration captures a pivotal moment in Olympic history: The King's Opening of the 1908 Olympic Games in London. The original hosts, Rome, were forced to withdraw after the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1906 left the country in disarray. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) then turned to the British Olympic Association to step in as the new hosts. London was well-prepared to stage the Games, but they were marred by political disagreements and controversy. The Finnish team refused to carry their flag during the opening ceremony, opting instead to walk under the Russian flag. Irish athletes were required to compete under the British flag, and the American team's refusal to tip their flag to King Edward VII during the ceremony set the stage for a contentious relationship between the Americans and the judging panel. Many decisions went against the Americans, fueling further controversy. King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra are shown here in the illustration by W. Hatherell, witnessing the historic moment as London took the reins of the Olympic Games for the first time. This image offers a glimpse into the complexities and challenges faced during the 1908 Olympics, which would go down in history as the first to be overshadowed by political tensions and judging controversies.
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