St. Louis 1904
The 1904 Games were held in St. Louis (USA) and were accompanied by a parallel conference known as "Anthropological Days" those who were invited, voluntarily or involuntarily, people of ethnic groups considered "exotic".
There came American Kaffirs, Sioux Indians, Patagonians, Syrians or pygmies, who were displayed as if participating in a sideshow it were, with the sole intention of entertaining the "white" with the mock contemplation of their activities.
Fred Lorz came first in the marathon with a surprising time. It was discovered that had been part of the journey by car. He was disqualified.
George Eyser, American gymnast, won a gold, two silvers and a bronze. His left leg was made of wood.
They were held in these Games, the "anthropological days" to compete blacks, Syrians and Indians. Coubertin expressed his disgust at this shameful case of racism.
- London 1908
Rome was allocated for the celebration of this year, but the economic problems affecting Italy and Vesuvius eruption led to the resignation a year earlier. London took the start of the event.
Walking distance athletes currently participating in the marathon is 42,195 meters and was set at the 1908 Olympics in London, not in 1896, in Athens, as sometimes has spread.
Although the official race distance approaches existing between the city of Marathon and the capital of Greece, the figure marked after being the athletes who traveled from Windsor Castle to the Olympic stadium in the capital of England. Since then, there has not been any changes.
For the first time women were admitted in exhibition sports. 