1908 Summer Olympics

The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IV Olympiad, were held in 1908 in London, England. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time, they were the fifth modern Olympic games. However, it was later decided that the 1906 Summer Olympics would not be considered an official Olmpiad.

Italian authorities were preparing for the Games when Mount Vesuvius erupted on April 7, 1906, devastating the nearby city of Naples. Money that would have gone to the Olympics in Rome were used to help re-construct Naples. London was then selected to host the Games, and they were held in White City alongside the Franco-British Exhibition, which at the time was the more noteworthy event. Berlin and Milan were the other candidates.

Participating nations

The 1908 Games had athletes representing 22 National Olympic Committees. Argentina, Finland, Turkey, and New Zealand (as part of the team from Australasia) made their first appearance at the Olympic Games.

 Argentina

 Australasia

 Austria

 Belgium

 Bohemia

 Canada

 Denmark

 Finland

 France

 German Empire

 Great Britain

 Greece

 Hungary

 Italy

 Netherlands

 Norway

 Russian Empire

 Union of South Africa

 Sweden

 Switzerland

 Ottoman Empire

 United States