In the countdown to the 2012 London Olympics, we retrace some memorable achievements in the history of the Games. Today, a look at Alvin Kraenzlein's four golds in 1900, Jim Thorpe's historical feats in 1912 and Peter Desjardins' diving glory in 1928.
1900: Alvin Kraenzlein – a hurdling pioneer
Alvin Kraenzlein, an American, has been credited with having originated the modern technique of hurdling. In 1900 in Paris, he became the first Olympics competitor to win four gold medals at a single Games and his world record in the 220-yard hurdles was unbroken for more than 25 years. In fact, Kraenzlein remains the only track and field athlete to win four individual Olympic gold medals at a single Games.
In an era when hurdlers jumped over the hurdles in whatever way they saw best, Kraenzlein proved a pioneer. On a grass track at the Bois de Boulogne, he leaped over three three-feet, six-inch high hurdles with one leg extended, thereby creating the method which would become universal in later years. His groundbreaking technique led him to golds in the 110 hurdles and the 200 hurdles - an event in which he had already set a world record in 1889.
Not content with two first-place finishes, Krainzlein also won the 60 meter by setting a new world record in precisely seven seconds and the long jump. He was, in all manner of speaking, a pure genius.
1912: Jim Thorpe astounds the world
Jim Thorpe, a Native American, was perhaps the greatest all-round athlete of all time. An outrageously talented baseball, basketball and football star, he was also a superb athlete and it was at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics that Thorpe startled the world and entered the record books with a freakish performance.
As part of the US delegation competing at the Games, Thorpe annihilated the world's best in the decathlon and pentathlon to record one of the most unforgettable sporting achievements in history. Thorpe finished first in nine of 15 separate track and field events, including the long jump, high jump, 200-meter dash, and discus throw, thereby entering the record books with an unprecedented tally for one athlete.
At the closing ceremonies, where the medals were presented, Thorpe was introduced to King Gustaf V of Sweden. According to legend, the king said, while shaking Thorpe's hand, "Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world," to which Thorpe replied "Thanks, king."
1928: Peter Desjardins dives into history
Peter Desjardins, an American diver, was one of only three men to win both the platform-diving and springboard-diving events in the same year, and has been hailed as the best springboard diver of all time.
At the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, Desjardins won gold in both the three-meter springboard and 10-meter platform events, with his most memorable dive being a forward 1 ½ gainer off the springboard that won him a perfect ten from the judges.
He remains one of just three men to win gold in both events at the Games.
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