GEORGE COLEMAN POAGE 

While individuals may encounter difficulties in life simply because of their gender, skin colour, religion or country of origin, the Games, with the diversity of the athletes who take part, champion the right to be different.  Participating at the Games may not change the world, but it can certainly help make a difference. 

GEORGE COLEMAN POAGE (USA, ATHLETICS) - 1880-1962 



A ray of hope in an ambivalent context 



In 1904 in St Louis, the Games were held over four months as part of the World’s Fair, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. 

 

Outside the official programme, “Anthropology Days” were organised to demonstrate the supremacy of the white man in sport. Native peoples from North and South America, Africa and Asia, selected from those exhibited at the Exposition, competed in sports events. 

 

While these kinds of events were going on alongside the Games, George Poage became the first black athlete to win an Olympic medal.   

 

Despite the boycott calls from African-American leaders to protest against the racial segregation at these Games, he competed in four events and won the bronze medal in the 200m and 400m hurdles.