In the resolution adopted at the Sorbonne Congress in Paris back in 1894 that paved the way for the launch of the modern Olympic Games, the inclusion of equestrian sports on the programme had been discussed, a motion which received the enthusiastic support of Baron Pierre de Coubertin.

Few Olympians have been as appropriately named as Walter Bathe. Born in what is now Poland, the German began swimming at the age of eight to build up his constitution. He became a member of the ASV Wroclaw club and, by 1912, was performing at a high enough standard to represent Germany at the Olympic Games.Bathe was a breaststroke specialist, who had twice broken the world record over 100m in 1910. But in Stockholm he was entered into the 200m and 400m events.

Cycling had a limited presence at Stockholm 1912, and almost did not appear on the schedule at all. In fact, this was the only time in the Games’ history that didn’t feature track cycling, with the sole event being a road race that took place around Lake Malaren, Sweden’s third largest lake, on 7 July.

The Detroit-born athlete, Ralph Craig, was originally a hurdling specialist, but in Stockholm he showed his sprinting aptitude to devastating effect.

South African duo Winslow and Kitson were both friends and foes during the 1912 Games – winning the outdoor doubles tennis competition together but going head-to-head in the final of the singles event.

Taylor’s story is touched by tragedy, but his feat has resonated across generations and will reach more: he was the first African American to win an Olympic gold medal when he helped the USA medley relay team to their victory on 25 July 1908.

Handball

Basketball

All of the medals were presented at a prize-giving ceremony at the end of the Games. Initially scheduled to take place on 14 April, it was postponed until the next day due to bad weather.

The 21-year-old Frenchman Paul Masson arrived in Athens without any significant international pedigree. Yet he took the track cycling events at the newly built Neo Phaliron Velodrome by storm, winning three of the six titles on offer: the 2km sprint, the 10km and the one-lap time trial.