新澳门开奖结果

In 1900 in Paris, the British completely dominated tennis, both individually and in doubles, notably by fielding the very first woman medalist at the Olympics. But it is within 鈥渕ixed鈥� teams that they establish themselves in polo. The notion of 鈥渘ation鈥� is not yet fixed at the Games and athletes from several countries can compete together within the same team.

The tennis events took place in 1900 on ten clay courts, in the very select setting of the first French tennis club, located on Puteaux Island, which was then called Rothschild Island (the famous family owned a model farm there in the 19th century). At that time, tennis was a social leisure activity, reserved for an elite*, whose international competitions were sponsored by the British.

Along with golf, tennis was the only sport accessible to women at the 1900 Games. And on July 11, it was Charlotte Cooper*, a 29-year-old distinguished player, who won the very first gold medal won by a woman during the games (ancient and modern since only men had the right to compete until then). She also won the mixed doubles a few days later, and her male colleagues literally crushed the competition, monopolizing all the awards.
In polo, a sport which made its first appearance at the Olympic Games on the Bagatelle field, the British won the gold, silver and bronze medals within mixed teams, also made up of American athletes (gold and silver), French and Mexican (bronze). At the time, although the regulations imposed a fairly strict definition of what an 鈥渁mateur鈥�* must be (the only one who can compete), the notion of nationality was not used.
鈥淣ation鈥� is, in fact, the Olympic term for a delegation, as opposed to 鈥渃ountry鈥�. This is how, today, certain geographical entities not recognized by other international authorities (Taiwan – as Chinese Taipei – for example), can be in the running.

Charlotte Cooper

As for the English, from the 1924 Olympics, history will keep the memory of two runners whose destiny inspired the film Chariots of Fire (Hugh Hudson, 1981). Harold Abrahams, a Jew of Lithuanian origin, knows that his integration into good English society depends on his sporting success. To put all the chances on his side, he works with a professional trainer (of Turkish and Italian ancestry), at the risk of being disqualified for having violated the rules of amateurism*. It is true that Mussabini has very avant-garde practices since he analyzes and improves the movements of his foal using cinematography. 鈥� Should we recall that as early as 1900 Marey used chronophotography to study the athletes present at the Paris International Competitions*? (which allowed him to study Kraenzlein鈥檚 revolutionary hurdle crossing technique).

However Abrahams almost did not win the title against his opponent Eric Liddell, winner the previous year at the English championships. But Liddell is an Anglican minister who is forbidden by his religion to compete on the Lord’s Day (Sunday). However, the 100m final took place that day and Liddell abstained. He will therefore fall back the next day on the 400 m, which he wins with complete improbability, with a chaotic but ultimately effective style. 鈥淚 started at full speed in the first half of the race and I finished even faster with the help of God,鈥� he will say.

When he chose to tell their story, Hudson took as his title an extract from a poem by William Blake which had become a hymn sung in English stadiums: And did those feet in ancient time evoking Isaiah’s ascent into heaven. And in fact, the 鈥渃hariots of fire鈥� recall those of the prophet.

History will record that such an adventure happened to American athletes in 1900. Religion had almost caused their defeat. Since the American track and field team is made up mainly of students from universities affiliated with Methodism, they are prohibited from competing on Sundays. Now it is the day chosen for the long jump final. Of Jewish faith, Alvin Kraenzlein* does not encounter this obstacle. He competes and thus wins his fourth gold medal!