Antwerp 1920

The Belgian Olympic Committee published a 109 page tome on why the 1920 Olympics should be held in Antwerp. Berlin was already selected for 1916, so 1920 was the goal. I didn’t read the document, but I’m sure the arguments in favor included something along the lines of “dude, you already did St. Louis for crying out loud…” This document was circulated in Paris June 13, 1914. Due consideration was given to Antwerp, with a decision to be made shortly…

A few weeks later all hell broke loose. The Germans invaded and tore a hole through the country. 5 years of occupation ground away at the citizens.  Their fields were warped waves of mud, libraries in ashes, industry crippled, and 2% of their population simply gone. After the final armistice late in 2018, the International Olympic Committee asked Antwerp: after hosting a few million unwanted belligerents for 5 years, would you still like to host the Olympics in 18 months’ time? The response: You Bet!

The 1920 Olympics didn’t hold the gravitas of other games: no Jesse Owens, Nadia Comaneci, or miracle on ice… But they did have Korfball. (Really, I didn’t make that name up.) Also of note, ice hockey made its debut (Canada crushed everyone, so some things don’t change). Tug of war made for a fun side-show I’m sure. Also, to my surprise, the sport with the 2^nd greatest # of events? Shooting. 21 different shooting events. You’d think they would tone down the shooting…

The home team was a game 4^th place in the medal count. The Belgians crushed it in archery, winning 8 of 10 gold medals (how did they miss out on Team Moving Bird – 28 meters after already winning Team Moving Bird – 33 meters???) But they saved the best for soccer. A dominating Czech squad had rolled into the finals, winning their first 3 games by a combined score of 15-1. Belgium was undeterred and posted 2 goals in the first half. It turns out that was all they needed since the Czech team quit before halftime, and the Belgian fans stormed the field to celebrate. You think 1980’s American college kids invented storming the court? Think again:

In 1920, with essentially no time to catch their breath, the Belgians invited the world back. And they threw a party.

 No party is complete without some top-end gymnastics.

 

Look at these knuckleheads goofing for the camera. Yeah, I’m talking to you, third-from-right... and second from left... and dead center.

 

In 2016, Rio threw a party too. Poop in the open water, green mystery in the pool water, zika in the bugs, strife in the favelas, corruption in the IOC, drugs in the Russians, alcohol in the Lochte, and on and on. The problems of Rio are real and well-documented. As were the problems of Belgium. But above these facts lay the simple genius of that circus huckster Pierre de Coubertin: sometimes games are just fun.