Chapter 7: St Louis 1904

The British continued to contribute to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a movement despite their lack of formal participation in the 1904 games, which while originally intended for Chicago, were held in St Louis. The 1904 IOC Congress was held in London, and made the decision that Rome would host the 1908 games. We narrate this event and how it was a precursor to the founding of the British Olympic Association. We also discuss the St Louis Games themselves including the move from Chicago and the lack of British involvement which we posit as being a financial reality, as well as considering how they appeared from a British perspective. The British Government did however involve itself in exhibiting at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition to which the games were somewhat porously attached. Thanks to Reuters telegrams the games still received coverage in British newspapers, providing continuity, while perceptions that St Louis was a dangerous place on the American frontier persisted.