As the International Centre for Olympic Studies (ICOS) celebrates its 20th anniversary, a surprise birthday present came knocking last week in the form of a photograph.
A large contingent of Canada’s first Olympic team poses for a post card created at the London, England Olympics in 1908. One of the earliest and most complete team photos, the image has been shared with Western’s International Centre for Olympic Studies. This may be the first time the image has appeared in a newspaper.
Featuring members of Canada’s first Olympic team in 1908, the unique capture in sports history may indeed be one of a kind. While in postcard form, ICOS founding director Bob Barney says he and other Olympic memorabilia collectors are not aware of any other copies in existence.
“We’re juiced about this. It’s a one-of-a-kind find,” says Barney. “One doesn’t expect this everyday. Sometimes we’ll get stuff that ends up being nothing, and other times, like with this photo, it’s something big.”
As unique as the photo may be, the way Barney and the centre got their hands on it is just as interesting. Toronto resident David Parkes came across the picture – which was supposed to include his uncle Robert Parkes – in a box of old family photos.
“‘Uncle Bob’ was known to have competed in the Olympics but no one was really sure when or where,” says Parkes, who when searching the photo’s history came across John Howard Crocker’s name in relation to the 1908 Olympics and traced Crocker back to Western.
Crocker (in the photo – first row in suit) was manager of the Canadian team in 1908. A pivotal figure in the history of Canada’s participation in the Olympic Games, Crocker became Director of Physical Education at Western in 1930. His legacy remains permanent in ICOS, thanks to a collection donated by his family.
Barney has other 1908 photos and he and Parkes exchanged originals to make copies.
Barney has also identified some the athletes in the photograph, including Parkes’ uncle. While the image does not include the entire Canadian Olympic team (made up mostly of the Track & Field team and members of the fencing, swimming, tennis, gymnastics and cycling squads) it is a fantastic find for Western’s growing collection.
Parkes is equally thrilled that an old ‘family photo’ has historic significance.,
“It’s just now starting to sink in,” says Parkes. “I had no idea of the historical significance of the photo. It was exciting enough for me just having a positive identification of my uncle.”
This Friday (Mar. 27) will also be the 20th annual Crocker Lecture, which has been delivered by outstanding international scholars over the years. This year, Barney will speak on John Hanbury-Williams, Canada’s First IOC Member. Parkes plans to attend.
Faculty, staff, students and the public are welcome to join the 20th anniversary celebration, which begins at 3 p.m. in the ICOS (Room 240, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Health Sciences Building).
“Looking back it seems like it was only yesterday we got the centre going,” says Barney on 20 years of the ICOS. “Then other times it seems like we have done so much that it must be 40 years.”