The U.S. like sports because it gave a Nationalistic feeling. The most championships were in Europe, they were too expensive to join by being every 4 years, it allowed us to save money to go. Creation of modern Olympic games in 1896 created uniqueness and National identity. Americans were preparing to become bigger, faster, and stronger to compete with the other countries in the Olympic games. The big sports icons gave us a better shot in winning some of these events and it also again gave the U.S. a sports identity. In 1904 I.O.C. awarded the U.S. the Olympic games and Americans could showcase their athleticism so they could claim superiority in sports. Olympics

Britain Olympics First Olympics to be held on British soil after the revolution. Significant rivalry between the two nations. Played out on the fields of the Olympics.

Britain Olympics 1908 London organizing committee set new standards for organizational efficiency. Contests held in Shepard's bush stadium which held spectators. Held a hundred meter pool surrounded by a five lap to the mile and a 660 yard concrete cycling track. Organizers developed a parade of 2000 athletes and officials representing eighteen countries. Marched around track.

Britain Olympics At the start the Olympics, Britain did not raise an American flag in the Olympic stadium In retaliation to this, Americans did not dip the flag in respect to the British king These two factors led to a further rivalary between the two nations

Britain Olympics In the finals of the 400-meter track race, it was 3 American runners (Robbins, Carpenter, Taylor) against 1 British runner (Halswelle) In the race, Carpenter passed Halswelle for a seeming victory Officials called a foul, and declared race invalid Called for a re-run without Carpenter; Robbins and Taylor refused Halswelle won the race unchallenged

Americans who ran long distance held low expectations. Britain was the leading force in distance running. After an Italian runner collapsed while running, an American came up to pass him and eventually win the race. British officers argued that the American runner should have helped the Italian and they wanted him disqualified. In the end the Italian was disqualified for receiving help British officials. The USA claimed that they were the greatest athletic nation in the world, after their victory. The USA then said that they would challenge Britain to any athletic event. The US boasted about their racial and ethnic background of their Olympic team that had a wide variety. Olympics

The 1904 Olympic marathon had the first two African Americans to compete named Lentauw and Tamasani Americans used derogatory names towards them calling them “Kaffirs” The runners were on loan for the Olympic race from the Fairs Department of Anthrology From Slide 9

From Slide Athens games started Greek games saved Olympic movement from near failure Athens games were widely successful setting attendance records For the first time, America got a committee together, the AOC and AAU to come together and pick the best players to send to Athens. America wanted to win. The Olympics raised money so that athletes would not have to pay for their trips anymore. Fundraisers were held to collect money for our athletes.

From Slide 11 American athletes dominate Media said America won when they lost the medal count Athenians help to condense the Olympics, putting it into a reasonable time frame

From Slide 12 Significant development of Panthellic games. Great Britain was embracing Olympic movement. Great Britain was the leading sport nation in the world. Gave US a run for its money