Did you know?

A stadium built "the American way"

The Coliseum Olympic stadium stupefied the whole world by its proportions and the quality of its equipment.

Two great difficulties

The Depression and the geographical isolation of California. Participation in the Games was the lowest since 1904, in spite of the excellent competition standard.

Excluded from the programme

Football had to be completely removed.

Various new things

The 1932 Olympic Games saw the introduction of automatic timing to one hundredth of a second and of the photo finish, as well as the appearance of the national anthems and the raising of flags in honour of the victors during the medal ceremonies. These ceremonies would take place henceforward at the competition site immediately after the end of the event and no longer for all the events together on the closing day.

The separation of men and women

The Olympic Village (opposite picture) was reserved for men, and women stayed in the Chapman Park hotel.

Restricted intake

The number of participants put forward by the National Olympic Committees in individual events was limited to three.

Professionals not admitted

Finn Paavo Nurmi (opposite picture) and Frenchman Jules Ladoumègue, registered as professionals, could not take part.

(Credit: IOC. Click here for further information.)