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: March 29
March 29, 1989 – It was a historic moment in sports when the first athletes
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers: Best 10-Game Winning Streak In NFL History?
The 1976 season got off to an excellent start for the defending Super Bowl
Sports History On This Day: March 28
March 28, 1939 – The New York Renaissance Big Five basketball team won the very
He’s Not The Mascot! The Legend of Billy Cross
No one…absolutely no one thought he was a professional football player. In fact, the
Sports History On This Day: March 27
March 27, 1939: The inaugural NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship was played. The single-elimination game
Sports History On This Day: March 26
March 26, 1937 – Legendary New York Yankees slugger Joe DiMaggio, in just his second
Sports History On This Day: March 25
March 25, 1958 – Boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson, claimed victory in a 15 round split-decision
Sports History On This Day: March 24
March 24, 1936 – A Stanley Cup playoff game takes a record 9 periods to