July 24, 1908 – There was some controversy at the London Olympic Marathon. American runner Johnny Hayes is given the Gold Medal for his finish with an Olympic record of 2:55:18.4. The Controversy was that Dorando Pietri of Italy had been disqualified for receiving assistance before the finish line.
Pietri had been the first athlete to enter the stadium where a crowd of onlookers anticipated him crossing the finish stripe first. Dorando had been helped over the finish line by British officials who were in charge of the games when he had been found to be struggling near the end of the race in what would have been a record pace.
Olympic rules stipulate that the runners must cross the finish line under their own power to be official. Many said this was the most exciting finish since Ancient Greek times when a race winner was said to have died crossing the line to win.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Sports History On This Day: September 11
September 11, 1886 – We all know that the name of a ship named the
Sports History On This Day: September 10
September 10, 1918 – It was game 5 of the World Series between the Chicago
“Iron” Mike Sharpe: Embrace the Brace
On the morning of February 5, 2018 my wife slipped and fell on a
Sports History On This Day: September 9
September 9, 1960 – It was the dawn of a whole new era of professional
Sports History On This Day: September 8
September 8, 1894 – We may not remember who William K. L. Dickson is today
Sports History On This Day: September 7
September 7, 1896 – The first automobile race was held on a closed-circuit track.
Norman “Bubby” Jones: An American Short-Track Racing Icon
Norman “Bubby” Jones was an American short-track racing icon, an open-wheel master whose trail
Sports History On This Day: September 6
September 6, 1946 – The All-America Football Conference or perhaps better known as the AAFC,