Controversial Finish to the 1908 Olympic Marathon

At the 1908 Olympics in London, Italian Dorando Pietri was leading the field in the marathon before he collapsed from exhaustion in the final metres. He received assistance from officials and was able to cross the finish line in first place . However, after a protest from second placed Johnny Hayes, he was later disqualified and the gold went to the American. Nevertheless, Pietri subsequently became an international celebrity, with Queen Alexandra awarding him a gilded silver cup for his efforts. RESULTS: 1 Johnny Hayes (USA) 2:55:18.4 2 Charles Hefferon (RSA) 2:56:06.0 3 Joseph Forshaw (USA) 2:57:10.4 4 Alton Welton (USA) 2:59:44.4 5 William Wood (CAN) 3:01:44.0 6 Frederick Simpson (CAN) 3:04:28.2 7 Harry Lawson (CAN) 3:06:47.2 8 John Svanberg (SWE) 3:07:50.8 9 Lewis Tewanima (USA) 3:09:15.0 10 Kaale Nieminen (FIN) 3:09:50.8 11 Jack Caffery (CAN) 3:12:46.0 12 William Clarke (GBR) 3:16:08.6 13 Ernest Barnes (GBR) 3:17:30.8 14 Sidney Hatch (USA) 3:17:52.4 15 Frederic