How the Inter-Allied Games Gave Comfort Following World War I

HOW THE INTER-ALLIED GAMES GAVE COMFORT FOLLOWING WORLD WAR I

By bblouin

Inter-Allied games opening ceremony and band playing.

Once World War I broke out, priorities changed and peace was difficult to find. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife created a new world for more than four years. During that time, the Olympics were canceled. Games would resume again at Antwerp 1920; however, there was another major contest that brought the world together first. This is how Inter-Allied Games brought the world together when it needed a sense of wonder and humanity the most.

The Inter-Allied Games Were a Solution for Disillusioned Troops and a Broken World

The Inter-Allied Games took place in 1919 and brought the world together for a major sporting spectacle.While it would be easy to understand if the organizers weren’t able to bring together the world’s best athletes, considering WW1 ended on November 11, 1918, fortunately, this competition was no place for slouches.A number of notable athletes from all over the world would end up participating as the Inter-Allied Games worked to pull off a major sporting event with limited time.Since the fighting ended sooner than the United States had anticipated, America had a new problem—how do you get a large fighting force demobilized and back home and should you?Many American leaders had concerns about peace collapsing again and fighting becoming necessary.To make matters worse, troops were suffering from low morale as a result of the extended stay, and all the while, waves of the flu were hitting camps slowing down the entire process of making it home. Sadly, because of these conditions, some troops were passing away from sickness. This would generate bitter sentiments among the military.To help ease the tension and reunite the world, authorities turned to sports. Thus, the Inter-Allied Games were a solution.

Building Pershing Stadium in War-Torn Europe

Putting on any large-scale spectacle is going to come with a ton of logistical issues and one of the biggest problems the Inter-Allied Games faced was building a stadium in war-torn Europe on short notice.The YMCA took on the challenge and planned to construct the stadium by May 26, 1919.This was a true challenge considering the organization came on to the project on February 24 of the same year.This was ambitious enough; however, the 20,000-seat stadium in Paris faced even more problems once the ball got rolling.The YMCA gave $100,000 for construction costs and once complete, U.S. General John J. Pershing got the stadium.Once Gen. Pershing was in control, he would provide it to the authorities in France to act as a memorial for the American Expeditionary Forces.However, it was the end of April and the Inter-Allied Games faced a huge problem, a labor strike.There would have been no way of completing the stadium without workers dedicated to the cause thanks to the extremely short timeline.This is how the militaries of both the United States and France got heavily involved with the project.Working around the clock, American and French military members took on the labor project. This was to help the stadium meet its timeline.At the end of it all, it was named Pershing Stadium and you can still find it today in the Bois de Vincennes in Paris.Used today for Paris Université Club B.S.C., Pershing Stadium is a baseball field that also provides local recreation with basketball courts among other events while retaining its history as a monument to American fighters.

World-Class Talent Accept the Inter-Allied Games Challenge

The world was longing for a large-scale sporting event and as anyone who has watched the Olympics, World Cup, or Super Bowl, knows, it’s more than a sport, it’s a full-on spectacle.Over 1,500 men from 14 nations competed once an Olympic-style opening ceremony set the stage.The sports were a mix of things most Americans might know well, such as baseball, basketball, track and field, swimming, etc.However, it should be noted that hand grenade tossing was an event, further highlighting the military influence on the Inter-Allied Games.For the record, U.S. Army Chaplain F.C. Thompson won the event with a distance of 245 feet, 11 inches.Norman Ross, an Olympic swimmer, also won various freestyle events for the 100m, 400m, and 1500m distances.Wimbledon champions Andre Gobert, Randolph Lycett, and Pat O’Hara Wood participated in events.Notable boxers Gene Tunney and Ralph Parcaut also participated, while Private Solomon ‘Sol’ Butler, a future Olympian, NFL player, and Negro Baseball League player, was the only Black athlete to earn a medal.Events need closure. At the conclusion of the two weeks, the Inter-Allied Games played the national anthems of America and France. This was while the Allies flags were raised to more than 30,000 in attendance.Gen. Pershing was there providing prizes to the winners. Additionally, the French flag was raised alone in the stadium for the first time.Sports continue to be a favorite. However, it has always been a way for people to come together, have fun, and enjoy humans doing amazing things.The Olympics are back on. The world isn’t completely at war, thankfully, but the Inter-Allied Games remains a unique piece of sport and military history.Suggested reads:

Image source: Wikimedia Commons