Hurdles cleared … now let these Games begin (Guardian.co.uk Letters)

On 24 July at the 124th session of the IOC, Jacques Rogge claimed that London is the first city to host the Olympic Games three times. That is not the case.

Athens hosted the second Olympic Games to be held under the auspices of the IOC in 1906. The IOC retrospectively revised history to adopt non-IOC games held in Paris 1900 and St Louis 1904. Athens also hosted in 1896 and 2004.

Olympic Games preceding the IOC's foundation are not recognised by the IOC. In 1866, London hosted athletics at Crystal Palace. It began on 31 July with swimming events in the river Thames. Athens also hosted in 1859, 1870, and 1875.

Yours faithfully,
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