Uncommon book: The Olympic Games of 1908 in London: A Reply to Certain Criticisms by Theodore Andrea Cook. London: British Olympic Council, 1908. Custom-bound in quarter leather hardcover and retaining the original front and rear maroon wrappers, 7 x 10, 60 pages. The book contains two main sections — “A Reply to Certain Charges Made by Some of the American Officials” and “Official Statement of the Amateur Athletic Association,” and the contents page is stamped “Comite International Olympique.” In very good to fine condition, with a professionally restored upper right corner to the title page, and toning to various pages.
This booklet was published in response to the flurry of newspaper accounts in the United States that American athletes at the London 1908 Olympic Games were poorly and unfairly treated by the host country and Olympic officials, with particular mention given to the 400-meter race, the most controversial event of the London Games. The final resulted in the disqualification of American runner John Carpenter who was accused by the British officials of a maneuver that was legal under American rules but prohibited by the British rules under which the race was run. As part of the disqualification of Carpenter, a second final race was ordered, with Halswelle to face the other two finalists again. These athletes, Americans William Robbins and John Taylor, boycotted the re-run final to protest the judges' decision. Thus, Halswelle was the only runner and the only medallist in the 400-meter.
