The 2010 Mexico mini-Olympics Summer Games

On September 16, 1810, the people of Mexico declared war vs. the Spanish authorities. This was the start of the Mexican War of Independence (1810 – 1821).

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of this event, Mexico is planning to stage a “mini-version” of the Olympics in 2010 to help celebrate the country’s bi-centennial.

If you want to PB in the sprints or jumps, this is the venue you’ll want to be.

According to the president of the Pan American Sports Organization Mario Vasquez Rana, Jaques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), had given permission for the the event to take place.

My guess is they need permission to call this an “Olympics”. If you want the name “Olympic” in your event, you’d better contact the IOC.

Details will be available early next year.

Mexico City previously held the Summer Olympics in 1968… an event that made Dick Fosbury, Bob Beamon, Al Oerter, and Tommie Smith household names.

1906 Interim Summer Olympics

Could this be the start of an additional Championship? In addition to the WC every 2 years on the odd years?

We all remember the 1906 Interim Summer Olympics, right? Okay, maybe we don’t. Who was born before 1906?

After the inaugurate Olympic revival in 1986, followed by 1900 (Paris) and 1904 (St-Louis, USA), Greece wanted to hold the Olympics every four years but in between the Olympic Games. It was also to mark the 10th anniversary of the Pierre de Coubertin Olympic revival.

In fact, the 1910 Interim Olympics were planned but never contested. Then World War I canceled any hopes of a 1914 and 1918 Interim Games.

The 1900 and 1904 Olympics should really be called the World’s Fair with athletic competitions and games.

The 1906 Interim Summer Olympics saw some bizarre events:

• They ran the track events clockwise (not counter clockwise)
• Paul Pilgrim (USA) won the 400 & 800 meters, a feat that was not duplicated until Alberto Juantorena did it in the 1976 Montreal Olympics
• Athletes such as Archie Hahn & Ray Ewry padded their medal count, if they are officially counted.
• The original pentathlon featured a 192 meter sprint, standing long jump, discus, javelin and Greco-Roman wrestling. 192 meters run? The track was only 330 meters, and not the standard 400 meters that exists today!
• Canada only sent four athletes, winning 1 Gold (William Sherring, Marathon) and 1 Silver (Donald Linden, 1500m Race walk). (Sounds like the current Canadian Olympic Committee, doesn’t it? Only send athletes who have a chance to medal?)