1904 St. Louis Summer Olympics Quiz

Answer: Chicago

Chicago, Illinois was first awarded the bid to host Olympiad III. However, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis lobbied not to have another international event in the U.S. during their time windows. They threatened to have such a tremendous event in St. Louis, that it would overshadow and possibly destroy the credibility of the Chicago Games. Pierre de Coubertin, who was the founder of the Modern Games, granted authority to move the Games to St. Louis to avoid any demeaning of the Games.

Answer: Washington University in St. Louis

Named after U.S. President George Washington, the University was founded in 1853. There was much controversy over naming the University as it had three unofficial names before Washington was agreed upon. The other names included Eliot Seminary and The O'Fallon Institute. The 1904 Games was held from July 1 to November 23. The venue later became known as Francis Field.

Answer: 6

Twelve countries were represented by the 645 men and 6 women in the Games. Those six women represented the United States, and were all part of the archery team. They took many individual and team medals, for reasons that may be obvious.

Answer: United States

American athletes won 239 of the 283 medals awarded. Many events were contested solely by Americans, and mainly because other countries were not comfortable with sending their people outside of their own country to participate in the Olympic Games. The boxing and cycling competitions were a couple of many events that were contested only by U.S. athletes, thus the most medals won.

Answer: Yugoslavia

The countries that were represented were Australia, Austria, Canada, Cuba, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United States. Yugoslavia would not participate in the Olympic Games until 1920.

Answer: Adolf Spinnler

The pressure was on for the Swiss gymnast Spinnler in the Games. He took the Gold Medal in the combined competition (three-event), and a Bronze Medal in the all-around competition. In the men's triathlon, Adolph finished a disappointing 64th. He was 25 years old at the time.

Answer: Canada

The other countries listed did not participate in the 1904 Games. The U.S. teams were Christian Brothers College and St. Rose Parish. Canada beat Christian Brothers College in the final, 7-0 to take the Gold Medal.

Answer: Canada

Lyon took the Gold Medal over Chandler Egan who took the silver, then Burt McKinnie and Francis Newton who tied for the bronze. It was one of four Gold Medals that the Canadians were presented with.

Answer: Otto Wahle

Wahle took the bronze in the 440-yd freestyle swimming event. Both of the United States, Charles Daniels took the gold and Francis Gailey brought home a silver. Wahle also participated in the 880-yd freestyle, but failed to finish.

Answer: Germany

The others listed did not compete in the 1904 Games. Germany took home 13 medals, compared to the U.S. and their 239. Germany won four gold, four silver, and five bronze. Cuba finished third with nine total medals, Canada fourth with six, and Hungary fifth with four medals.