Summer Olympiad (1928)

The 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, celebrated in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Amsterdam had made a bid for the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games, but had to give way to war-victim Belgium and De Coubertin's Paris before finally being awarded with the organization. The Amsterdam Olympics of 1928 were held in an atmosphere of peace and harmony that preceded twenty years of economic uncertainty and war. Perhaps the Games were best exemplified by the experience of Australian rower Henry Pearce. Midway through his quarterfinal race, he stopped rowing to allow a family of ducks to pass single file in front of his boat. Pearce won the race anyway and, later, the gold medal as well. At the Opening Ceremony, the team from Greece led the Parade of Nations and the host Dutch team marched in last. Greece first, hosts last would become a permanent part of the Olympic protocol. Athletes from 28 different nations won gold medals in Amsterdam, a record that would last for 40 years. The number of female athletes more than doubled as women were finally allowed to compete in gymnastics and athletics. For the first time, Asian athletes won gold medals. Mikio Oda of Japan won the triple jump, while his teammate, Yoshiyuki Tsuruta, won the 200m breaststroke. Meanwhile the team from India swept to victory in field hockey. Between 1928 and 1960, Indian teams won six straight gold medals. Another winning streak began in 1928. Hungary earned the first of seven consecutive gold medals in team sabre fencing.

Opening date: 17 May 1928

Closing date: 12 August 1928

Ceremonies

Official opening of the Games by: HRH Prince Hendrik

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: The Olympic flame was first lit during the opening ceremony of the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam.

Olympic Oath by: Henri Denis (football)

Official Oath by: The first officials' oath was sworn at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

Participations

46 NOCs (Nations)
2,883 athletes (277 women, 2,606 men)
109 events

Country of the host city: Netherlands (NED)

Candidate cities: Los Angeles (USA)

Sports

• Aquatics
• Athletics
• Boxing
• Cycling
• Equestrian
• Fencing
• Football
• Gymnastics
• Hockey
• Modern Pentathlon
• Rowing
• Sailing
• Weightlifting
• Wrestling

Demonstration sports

•          Kaatsen (unofficial demonstration)
•          Korfball
•          Lacrosse

Highlights

• For the first time, the Olympic Flame was lit during the Olympics.

• For the first time, the parade of nations started with Greece, which holds the origins of the Olympics, and ended with the host country, a tradition that continues today.

• Prince Hendrik, consort of Queen Wilhelmina, officially opened the Games. This was the first time a head of state had not personally officiated at an Olympic opening ceremony. She refused to return early from her holiday in Norway to open the Games herself, because she was furious at the organizing committee for not consulting with her about the opening date.

• Johnny Weissmuller, who later appeared in several Tarzan movies, won two gold medals in swimming.

• India took its first ever gold in field hockey, the beginning of a winning streak, which continued until 1956 with six gold medals, won during the period.

• The first appearance of the sponsor Coca-Cola at the Olympic Games

• These games were the first to bear the name "Summer Olympic Games".

• The 100 metres was the first women's track event to be contested in Olympic history. Betty Robinson (USA-athletics) won the final by half a metre in what was only her fourth track meet ever. She also earned a silver medal in the 4x100m relay.

Facts

• For the first time, the Olympic flame was lit at the top of a tower placed inside the stadium and designed by Jan Wils. It remained lit throughout the Games. At this period in time, the torch relay was not yet practiced.

• Germany participated in the Games once again, after 16 years of absence, since the 1912 Games.

• The programme contained for the first time athletics events for women, although they had participated in the past in tennis, golf, archery, figure skating, sailing, swimming and fencing.