The 1908 Games were due to be held in Rome, but the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1906 left Italy needing to divert resources into disaster relief and rebuilding.
With time running out, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) asked Britain to step in as host. That gave London less than two years to prepare.
But with Lord Desborough, the British Olympic Association's dynamic chairman, to the fore, and the support of King Edward VII, the challenge was accepted.
22 nations participated.
Number of participating athletes per country
22 sports, representing 24 sporting disciplines, were contested. Swimming, diving and water polo are considered three disciplines of the same sport, aquatics. At the time, tug-of-war was part of athletics and the two different football codes (association and rugby (union)) were listed together. The International Olympic Committee now considers tug-of-war a separate sport, as well as referring to association football as simply "football" and to rugby union as "rugby".[10]
Irish-Canadian athlete Robert Kerr wins the 200 metres at White City Stadium, which was built especially for the Olympics.
Female archers take part in the "National Round" (24 arrows at 60 yards and 12 arrows at 50 yards), which was won by Sybil "Queenie" Newall of Great Britain.
A referee watches the final of the Light Heavyweight Greco-Roman Wrestling event. Verner Weckman of Finland took home the gold medal, trouncing his countryman Yrjo Saarela.
Doctors examine a competitor before he is allowed to take part in the marathon.
Three divers in mid-air during a diving display.
American athlete Ray Ewry wins the standing high jump.
Marathon competitors dash past shops and crowds on the route between Windsor Castle and White City Stadium.
Spectators take to the trees at Wormwood Scrubs for a better view of the marathon.
The Swedish water polo team.
Forrest Smithson (second from the right) of the USA on his way to winning the 110-metre hurdles final.
Crowds at White City Stadium. After the Olympics, the stadium became mainly used for greyhound racing, and was demolished in 1985.
In a less dramatic ceremony than today, winners collect their medals.
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Great Britain (host nation) | 56 | 51 | 39 | 146 |
| 2 |  United States | 23 | 12 | 12 | 47 |
| 3 |  Sweden | 8 | 6 | 11 | 25 |
| 4 |  France | 5 | 5 | 9 | 19 |
| 5 |  Germany | 3 | 5 | 5 | 13 |
| 6 |  Hungary | 3 | 4 | 2 | 9 |
| 7 |  Canada | 3 | 3 | 10 | 16 |
| 8 |  Norway | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| 9 |  Italy | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 10 |  Belgium | 1 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
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