1912 Stockholm Summer Olympics Quiz

Answer: Boxing

Sweden viewed boxing as a barbaric sport and it was illegal in their country. Boxing had been introduced in the 1904 Summer Olympics. It had been contested every subsequent Summer Olympic Games except for this one.

Answer: Tug of war

The Swedish team walked away with the gold medal in this sport. This sport was contested at every Summer Olympics from 1904-1920. Rules for this competition varied at each Olympics. It was finally phased out after the 1920 Summer Olympic Games in Antwerp.

Answer: Shooting running deer

No live deers were used in the competition. It was a deer-shaped target that was used. Swahn won three gold medals, one silver medal, and two bronze medals in the three Olympic Games he participated in. This competition made its last appearance in the 1924 Olympics. He was 72 when he competed in his last Games when he won a silver medal.

Answer: Marathon

While all the choices were actual competitions, Mr. Lazaro was running the marathon. He collapsed after running 29 kilometers. An autopsy revealed that he had covered himself with wax in an attempt to protect his skin from sunburn. The day of the race was very hot and the wax prevented him from perspiring and led to heat stroke and an electrolyte imbalance which caused his death.

Answer: George S. Patton

George Patton competed and did well. He placed 6th in the 300m freestyle swim out of 37 contestants. He placed third in the cross-country equestrian steeplechase, in fencing, and also in four kilometer cross-country foot race. He finished in 5th place overall. He also qualified for the 1916 Olympics which were canceled due to the onset of World War I.

Answer: Wrestling

Glima is an unusual and unique style of Icelandic wrestling. It is different from other types of wrestling in that the opponents must always stand upright and are joined together with a belt. The point of the match is to make your opponent touch the floor with a part of his body between the elbow and the knee.

It has strict rules of propriety and almost looks like a cross of polite martial arts, sumo, and regular wrestling. While it was demonstrated at these games, it was never included in any subsequent Olympic competitions.

Answer: Electric timing devices

Electric timing devices were used for the first time and have been used at every subsequent Olympic Games. Refinements have occurred as technology advanced.

Answer: Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe has been considered one of the most gifted athletes of the 20th Century. His medals were stripped when it was learned he had played baseball for money. At that time the rules for participating athletes had strict rules that all participants must be amateurs.

These rules were applied in a capricious and unfair manner. In 1983, this ruling was rescinded and his medals were posthumously awarded to his children.

Answer: True

It actually lasted over 11 hours. The winner was too tired to compete in the finals. The athlete who won the gold medal had lost twice to the loser of this match.

Answer: True

It was the last year that gold medals were actually solid gold. After these Games they were gold plated silver.