52OLYMPIC REVIEWSPORTING HIGHLIGHTS?Italy's Dorando Pietri entered the stadium in firstplace at the end of the marathon, but then collapsed,exhausted. As the officials helped him to his feet hecollapsed again, before eventually being helped overthe finish line. While he was the first to cross the line,he was disqualified for receiving help, although hiscourageous efforts to finish the race ensured he isremembered to this day.?In the spirit of sportsmanship, the middleweightGreco-Roman wrestling final between Sweden'sFrithiof Mårtensson and his compatriot MauritzAndersson was postponed by one day to allowMårtensson to recover from a minor injury. He dulyrecovered and won. ?American athlete Ray Ewry won gold medals in thestanding high jump and standing long jump for thethird consecutive Games. His performances in 1908brought his total Olympic medal tally to eight golds.?Sweden's Oscar Swahn won his first Olympic goldmedal at the age of 60, as he triumphed in therunning deer single-shot event. The next day heclaimed his second gold with victory in the teamevent, while he also earned a bronze medal in therunning deer double-shot contest.?Swimmer Henry Taylor became the first Briton towin three gold medals at a single Games withvictories in the 400m and 1,500m events as well asthe 4x200m freestyle relay. This record for a Britishathlete was not equalled until 2008, when cyclistChris Hoy won three gold medals in Beijing.?American athlete Melvin Sheppard shone on thetrack, winning both the 800m and 1,500m (anachievement equalled by only four other athletes in Olympic history). He also competed in a uniquerelay event, with two athletes running 200m,followed by another who ran 400m and finally afourth who ran 800m. Sheppard ran the last 800mfor the United States team to win his third goldmedal of the Games.London 2012OLYMPIC HISTORYAbove Americanathlete MelvinSheppard wongold in the 800m,1,500m and aunique relay eventRightDutchathlete FannyBlankers-Koenwas one of thestars of the 1948Games, winningfour gold medalson the track

OLYMPIC REVIEW53OLYMPIC HISTORYLondon 2012LONDON 1948Games HistoryLondon had originally been chosen to host the 1944Games, which, like the 1940 edition, were cancelled dueto the Second World War. With the conflict ending in1945, plans were made to revive the Games in 1948 and,although the city - and Britain as a whole - was still recoveringfrom the aftermath of the war, London was again put forward as a potential host. Baltimore, Lausanne, Los Angeles, Minneapolis ?LONDON 1948 FACTS NOCs: 59ATHLETES:4,104 (390 WOMEN, 3,714MEN)SPORTS: 17EVENTS: 136