The US tug-of-war team
From 1900 to 1920 the tug-of-war event was a popular part of the Olympic athletics programme. In 1908 the final was between two British teams comprised wholly of policemen, with the City of London force beating that from Liverpool.
Shown here is a scratch team entered by the United States, which didn’t survive the first round. It is interesting to note that it was made up of members of their athletic throwing team, including the winners of two gold medals (Ralph Rose; shot, and John Flanagan; hammer), two silvers and a bronze.
