1912 Olympic Games Official Report Part 2

The most comprehensive measures of security were taken along thewhole of the course, so that medical help could always be had closeat hand, in the case of any accident or illness occurring amongstthe competitors during this trying event. Medical stations were arrangedat Sollentuna, Tureberg, Silfverdal, Stocksund and Söderbrunn.At each of these stations there was a physician with his assistant,and a group of from 2—5 men belonging to the Stockholm VolunteerAid Corps. At all of these stations, with the exceptionof that at Söderbrunn, there were arranged sick-rooms with beds;at Söderbrunn, which lies scarcely 1¼ mile from Stockholm, therewas a sick-tent. At all the medical stations there were ambulancelitters, bandages, instruments for giving injections, a motor-car, andstimulants, such as camphor, digalén, etc. At the control stations —Tureberg and Stocksund — and at Silfverdal and at the turn, sterilizeddrinking water, and refreshments (tea, coffee, lemons and oranges)were provided for the competitors. At the turning point (in the neighbourhoodof Sollentuna) there was a doctor with assistants, thestation being provided with a motor-car, ambulance-litters, etc., as atthe other medical stations. At 9 different places along the coursethere were patrols of boy-scouts, provided with flags for signalling andwith drinking-flasks containing fresh water. Certain of these patrolshad cyclists among their number. In the motor car carrying theleader of the competition there was a doctor, provided with an injectioncase, stimulants and bandages, etc. At the Stadium, on Marathonday, there were 6 doctors, of whom one was stationed at theentrance to the Stadium, two at the winning post, and three in theoperation room or in the seats reserved for the medical men on thebalcony over the western grand entrance. In addition to the sickattendantsusually on duty, there were 10 extra men (belonging tothe Volunteer Aid Corps) posted at different places inside the Stadium.In all, there were 11 doctors, 7 medical assistants, 30 sickattendantsand 2 sick-nurses on duty on Marathon day, in the Stadiumand along the course.To the best of our knowledge, there has never before been a Marathonrace so minutely arranged, nor with so many imaginable measurestaken with such great care for the purpose of assisting the competitorswho might be in need of help. But, in spite of all this theMarathon race of Stockholm, on July 14, 1912, was to cost ahuman life.All the competitors that passed the tape came in in perfect condition.But, on the other hand, a great number of the runners,while still on the course, had to be taken up by motor cars sent outfrom the medical stations. The sick-rooms arranged at these stationssoon became crowded with men who had retired from the race,and who now, absolutely worn out, sought for rest and quiet.At the hill at Öfver-Järfva, a Portuguese athlete, Francesco Lazaro,on the return journey to the Stadium, had been seen to stagger as he ran,fall a couple of times, rise again and continue the race, only finallyto fall and remain lying on the ground. Almost immediately after839