1908 Olympic Games

On this very ground once stood the White City Stadium, where Olympic history was written in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. This vast arena in Shepherd's Bush, west of the city center near the present BBC buildings, became the unexpected stage for the 1908 Summer Olympics. Rome was meant to host these Games, but everything changed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 1906. Italy redirected its Olympic funds to help victims of the disaster, and Britain stepped in with just two years to prepare.

Engineers built a massive 68,000 seat stadium in only 10 months, complete with a swimming pool instead of open water, making it the first purpose built Olympic venue in modern history. Over 2,000 athletes from 22 nations competed here between April and October 1908. The Games introduced figure skating, making it the first Olympics to feature a winter sport. But the marathon created the most unforgettable moment in sporting history. Italian runner Dorando Pietri entered the stadium first, completely exhausted.

He collapsed five times and officials helped him across the finish line. American competitors protested, and Pietri was disqualified the next day, though he became an instant hero to spectators. The race started at Windsor Castle and finished right here, covering 42.195 kilometers. This exact distance became the official marathon standard worldwide in 1921.