Antwerp 1920 Olympics haunted by war and flu pandemic

When Olympic Games resumed after World War I, event was t designed to escape horrors of war. Anwtwerp Games were used to remember.

Belgium hosted after being a battleground two years before. Many athletes were veterans. opening ceremony celebrated military might as much as peace.

On ir way into Antwerp's Beerschot Stium attendees walked past a statue of a Belgian soldier throwing a grene, n heard artillery salutes punctuate ceremony. Belgian fencer who took Olympic oath to compete “in a spirit of chivalry, for hor of our country and for glory of sport” was Victor Boin, an air force pilot, flanked by two soldiers.

Many Olympians from last games in 1912 h been killed or wounded during war, when amateur gentleman athletes flocked to serve as military officers. Yet more athletes were killed by Spanish Flu pandemic that ravd world soon after.

In Antwerp a new generation of athletes came to fore. Olympics were still very much centered on white, male athletes from privileged backgrounds, but times were slowly changing.

Female athletes overcame social disapproval and resistance from some Olympic officials to compete, and Japan won first medals for an independent Asian nation.

LENGLEN CHUNK

Of approximately 2,600 athletes, only about 60 were women. But French tennis player Suzanne Lenglen transcended Olympics as an international star.

Nicknamed “La Divine,” she was a national hero and a household name around world. women's trophy at French Open and second-largest court both bear her name.

In Antwerp, Lenglen didn't drop a game in her first three singles matches and didn't drop a set all tournament in her run to gold medal. She ded gold in mixed doubles and bronze in women's doubles.

Illness meant Lenglen couldn't defend her title on home soil at next Olympics in Paris in 1924, last time sport would be on program until 1988.

Tennis in Antwerp was also a breakthrough for diversity, as Japan won its first medals. Ichiya Kumagae won silver in men's singles and ded a doubles silver with Seiichiro Kashio. independent Asian country h won a medal before, though India h won two silvers in 1900 under British rule.

ICELAND ON ICE

Winter Olympics were yet to be invented, so ice hockey joined Games in a program orwise packed with summer sports. Cana won inaugural men's hockey gold medal, but it was a Canian team with a twist.

Team Cana was actually Winnipeg Falcons, an amateur team set up by Icelandic immigrants. ir name was taken from a falcon on Iceland's old coat of arms at a time when it was still part of Denmark.

With future two-time Stanley Cup winner Frank Fredrickson as captain, Falcons demolished opposition in Antwerp, beating Czechoslovakia 15-0, United States 2-0. Falcons' shutout run ended in gold-medal game against Sweden but y still won 12-1.

Hockey and figure skating were held a full four months before or sports in an Antwerp rink called Ice Palace. International Olympic Committee drew on that experience when it created an “international winter sports week” in Chamonix, France, in 1924. That was later officially recognized as first Winter Olympics.

FLYING FINNS

se days Finland is best kwn for its hockey players and cross-country skiers, but in 1920 it was undisputed distance-running superpower.

Hannes Kolehmainen h won three gold medals in 1912 and cemented his place in history by winning 1920 marathon in world record time despite heavy rain making course muddy. Antwerp was year when Kolehmainen metaphorically passed torch to ar all-time great, his fellow Finn Paavo Nurmi. d 23, Nurmi won three gold medals in Antwerp and would later win six more.

When Finland held Olympics in 1952, Nurmi passed torch back — literally. Nurmi carried Olympic torch into stium in Helsinki during opening ceremony and handed it over for Kolehmainen to light flame.

ALONE ON WATER

Most Olympic champions need training, determination and luck to win gold. In 1920 it was eugh just to turn up.

rwegian sailors won five gold medals in Antwerp completely upposed after or crews entered ir events. y still h to sail out alone on water, round buoys and cross line without sinking to earn a gold medal.

Out of 13 different sailing competitions, only one featured more than three boats, meaning almost everyone went home with a medal. One event was a shootout between two Dutch crews, who were allowed to finish off contest back home in Nerlands.