Paralympics Medal Table

When London hosted the First Olympic Games in 1908, the tug of war has been an official sport, the budget was only 80,000 pounds, and African and Asian countries were not invited. As London prepares to host the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, we discover what has changed over 104 years.

Organization



1908: The 1908 Olympics were awarded to Rome but the Italians withdrew, citing the cost of reconstruction following an eruption of Vesuvius. London has acted as host city and, despite the hurried preparations, has met one of the better organized the first Games.



2012: London has beaten Paris to host the Games Favorites of 2012 by 54 votes against 50. The result has been received in London with cheers by huge flags supporters who had gathered in Trafalgar Square to hear the news.

Olympic Stadium



1908: For the first time, a dedicated Olympic Stadium was built. Known as the White City, the new arena was room for 68,000 spectators and has only 10 months to construct at a cost of 60,000 pounds.



2012: The stage 2012 is currently under construction on an "island" in the Olympic Park in Stratford. The construction of the stadium of 80,000 capacity began in 2008 and should be completed next year.



Diversity Games



1908: There was little diversity are the Olympics of 1908. The first Paralympic Games was not held until 1960 so there were no athletes with disabilities, and out of the 2008 athletes, 37 were women.

2012: There are now 205 National Olympic Committees, each representing a different country of Uzbekistan to Uganda. 10,500 athletes are expected to attend the Olympics in 2012, and 4200 Paralympic Games.



Opening ceremony



1908: For the first time, the competitors marched behind the banners of their country. However, the flag of Sweden and the United States are not displayed in the main stadium, provoking angry protests. The Swedes have boycotted the ceremony, while the U.S. team refused to dip their flag to the royal box.

2012: The opening ceremonies have become a large part of the Olympics, watched by one in three people in the world. Something that did not exist in 1908 but is a key celebration is now the Olympic flame was lit at the Amsterdam Games in 1928.



Time Games



1908: The 4th Olympic Games began April 27, 1908 and ended October 21, 1908, an incredible stretch of almost six months!



2012: The Olympics of 2012 is due to kick off July 27 and ends August 12. The Paralympic Games will follow, which will run from August 29 to September 9.



Strange Sports



1908: bicycle polo, shooting war and motorboat were some of the more unusual (and since abandoned) to medal sport in 1908.



2012: The 26 sports that make up the Olympics today include beach volleyball, basketball and taekwondo. Who knows what the athletes of 1908 would have made them!



Courage Under Fire



1908: Dorando Pietri won the marathon huge roar from the public stage. In the sweltering heat in July, he collapsed five times on the way and even ran in the wrong direction in the final phase. The Italian athlete was subsequently stripped of his gold medal for being helped over the finish line by officials, but his near-death experience made him a hero in the world.



2012: Oscar Pistorius was barred from competing as an athlete valid for the Beijing Olympics after the IAAF decided that his artificial running legs gave him an unfair advantage. South African sprinter fought and determined overturne.