Italy at the 1908 Summer Olympics Italy at the 1908 Summer Olympics Italy competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, England. It was the third appearance of the European nation, which had not competed at the 1904 Summer Olympics. It was originally going to host the Games, but the eruption of Mount Vesuvius meant the UK hosted them. Italy's best athletics result was Emilio Lunghi's silver medal in the 800 metres. Dorando Pietri's first-place finish in the marathon was erased by disqualification as a pair of race officials had helped him across the finish line. No Italian cyclist advanced to the finals in any event.
Sailing at the 1908 Summer Olympics on to form the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU), the precursor to the present International Sailing Federation (ISAF). The agreed formula gives a result in meters (Metre). During the meeting in 1907 the IOC made the decision to open the 1908 Summer Olympics for the following Metre classes: Source: During the Sailing regattas at the 1908 Summer Olympics among others the following persons were competing in the various classes: Sailing at the 1908 Summer Olympics Sailing/Yachting is an Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad (1896 Olympics in Athens, Greece). With the exception of the 1904 and