本届奥运会本应由罗马来举办，因意大利多次爆发地震和维苏威火山，经济蒙受巨大损失，1906年罗马宣布放弃主办权，改由伦敦举办这届奥运会。1904年，非洲与欧、美大洋洲均有代表，但亚洲缺席。本届土耳其队与会，使奥运会首次实现五洲代表聚会，对奥林匹克日益国际化具有历史意义。

KEY FACTS

Opening date: 27 April 1908

Closing date: 31 October 1908

The Host City: Great Britain (GBR)

Sports: 22

LONDON  1908 Games of the IV Olympiad

The 1908 Olympics were originally awarded to Rome, but were reassigned to London. At the Opening Ceremony, the athletes marched into the stadium by nation, as most countries sent selected national teams. Archers William and Charlotte Dod became the first brother and sister medalists. Oscar Swahn, aged 60, was the oldest ever competitor to earn an Olympic gold medal, winning the running deer shooting, single shot.

The event that caught the public imagination around the world was the dramatic ending of the marathon. After 42 kilometres (26 miles) of running, the first man to enter the stadium was Dorando Pietri of Italy, but he collapsed on the track five times and was disqualified when officials carried him across the finish line.