De Coubertin had high hopes for the 1904 Games, which were scheduled for Chicago because Americans had shown such great enthusiasm for the first two Olympics.

However, a dispute broke out between Chicago and St. Louis, which wanted the Games to be held as part of the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition.

President Theodore Roosevelt eventually sided with St. Louis, and the Games were moved.

This change proved to be an awful mistake, as the St. Louis organisers turned out to be even less competent than the Paris organisers.

Most European nations skipped the Games, and not even Baron de Coubertin bothered to attend.

Events were spread out over four and a half months, and some included only US athletes.

After two straight disasters the Olympic movement might have died had it not been for the Intercalated (or Interim) Games of 1906.

After the success of the 1896 Games, the Greeks had hoped to hold their own international games every four years between Olympics.

However the proposed Games of 1898 had to be cancelled because of political and economic upheaval and the 1902 Games weren't even considered.

By 1906, though, the Greeks were ready to try again.

Although de Coubertin opposed the Intercalated Games, they were quite successful and actually helped save the Olympic movement.

These Games are considered unofficial by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).