Gold fever in Paris

Harold Abrahams takes the 100m gold for Britain

By BBC Sport Online's Mark Ashenden

It was supposed to be in Amsterdam, but after Paris was chosen to improve a somewhat tarnished Olympic image, 1924 proved to be a monumental year for British Olympians.

Britain claimed nine gold medals, including two from 'Chariots of Fire' runners Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell.

Now, in Sydney, the Brits have won their biggest Olympic gold haul for 76 years, since those heady days of baggy shorts and slick back haircuts.

There were ecstatic scenes on Rushcutter Bay following Shirley Robertson's and Ben Ainslie's fine achievements to help Britain on their way to eight gold medals, but the glittering prizes were attained in very different circumstances in 1924.

Abrahams and Liddell both upset the odds by claiming their gold medals on the running track.

First European

The Englishman Abrahams became the first European to win an Olympic sprint title, bringing an end, albeit briefly, to American dominance in the sport and not without controversy.

The 100m Olympic record was equalled with a time of 10.6 seconds, but being the first British amateur athlete to pay for personal training there were frowns as well as cheers for the Cambridge University student.

Remarkably, Abrahams recollected later there were no victory ceremonies and he received his medal in the post some time later. It's hard to imagine Maurice Greene sitting in his living room awaiting the postman's knock.

Liddell: gold medal in 400m

Liddell was triumphant in the 400m, clocking a record 47.6s, but his feat was also questioned.

The Scotland rugby international had to wait another 12 years before his performance was recognised owing to the track having just the one bend.

Liddell nearly ruled himself out of medal contention because of his religious belliefs.

Much was made in Colin Welland's screen adaption of the heartache over the devout Christian's change to avoid running on the Sabbath, although in reality, Liddell had made his decision months in advance of the games, not at the last minute as depicted in the film.

Unusual activities

Along with 13 silvers and 12 bronzes, a unusual range of activities helped Britain to the other seven golds.

It may seem unlikely after this year's efforts in the pool, but Lucy Morton finished strongly to overcome the American challenger in the 200m breaststroke to claim gold and an Olympic record of 3:33.2.

Redrgrave carries on the efforts of 1924

Douglas Lowe grabbed Britain's third gold in track and field by winning the 800m, after passing the favourite, compatriot Henry Stallard just 100m from the line. Not a bad day's work on his 22nd birthday.

Two golds were achieved in the boxing ring, with Henry Mallin winning the middleweight division for the second Olympics in a row. Harry Mitchell overcame Danish fighter Thyge Petersen in the middleweight competition.

The predecessors of Steve Redgrave and Co claimed a couple of golds in the rowing.

Jack Beresford won the single sculls event, getting revenge on a defeat in the heats by American Willian Gilmore. And without a Redgrave in sight, the British won another gold in the coxless fours.

And finally, Allen Whitty became the oldest gold medallist at the age of 58, to claim Britain's ninth gold medal. This feat, however, had its price, the life of a running deer who was trying to avoid his triumphant bullet.