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In 1908, hundreds of thousands of Londoners crowded the streets to watch the dramatic events of the Olympic marathon. Dorando Pietri, an Italian sweet-maker from Capri, was first into White City Stadium but he collapsed and had to be helped to the line. He was consequently disqualified and Johnny Hayes of the USA was declared the winner.

However, with their love of a gallant loser, the disqualification made Pietri a celebrity for British people and he was greeted with cheers wherever he went. Simon Watts tells his story through newspaper reports from the time.

Picture: Dorando Pietri crosses the line, Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images