The Swedish hosts introduced the use of unofficial electronic timing devices for the track events, as well as the first use of a public address system.

The modern pentathlon was added to the Olympic program while women's events in swimming and diving were also introduced, although Sweden would not allow boxing contests to be held in their country.

Endurance appeared to be the theme as the cycling road race was 199 miles, the longest race of any kind in Olympic history, while a Greco-Roman wrestling semi-final lasted 11 hours.

Finland's Hannes Kohlemainen won three gold medals in long-distance running while he USA's Jim Thorpe won the pentathlon and shattered the world record in the decathlon.

British gold medals: 14