The marathon is one of the most iconic events at the Olympics, taking place on the very last day just before the closing ceremony. But today’s competitions are nothing compared to the 1904 race that left multiple athletes within an inch of death.
Today’s marathons are nothing compared to the 1904 Olympic race that left multiple athletes within an inch of death
For some reason, the organizers thought it would be better to hold it during the afternoon instead of the morning
This meant the athletes had to run in temperatures of over 86 degrees Fahrenheit (over 30 degrees Celsius)
The only water the competitors had access to was a well around the 11 mile
The track consisted entirely of dirt roads, so the cars and horses riding ahead and behind the runners caused huge dust clouds that became hugely problematic for them
Olympic chronicler Charles Lucas noted that “the visiting athletes were not accustomed to the water, and, as a consequence, many suffered from intestinal disorders”
People found American runner William Garcia lying on the road in the middle of the track
Cuban postman Andarín Carvajal was probably the most unprepared athlete in the race
The first two black Africans to compete in the Olympics were also in this race
American runner Frederick Lorz took a car ride in the hopes he could meet up with the competition near the finish line
These stories aren’t as strange as one of the eventual winners, British-born American Thomas Hicks
With strychnine in his blood, Hicks became pale and limp. However, after hearing about Lorz’s disqualification, he forced his legs into a trot
Hicks began hallucinating, believing that the finish was still 20 miles away
It took four doctors and one hour for Hicks to feel well enough to leave the grounds
Source:
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