Thomas Hicks (athlete)

1904 Thomas J Hicks

Thomas Hicks (January 7, 1876 – December 28, 1952) was an American athlete who is best known for winning the marathon at the 1904 Summer Olympics held in St. Louis, Missouri. His victory is notable for the controversial circumstances under which it was achieved.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Thomas John Hicks was born in Birmingham, England, and later emigrated to the United States. He became a naturalized American citizen and took up long-distance running.

1904 Summer Olympics[edit | edit source]

The marathon at the 1904 Summer Olympics was held on August 30, 1904. The race was run in extremely hot and humid conditions, which led to many competitors suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion.

The Race[edit | edit source]

Hicks's performance in the marathon was marked by the use of performance-enhancing drugs. During the race, he was given a mixture of strychnine and brandy by his handlers to stimulate his performance. Despite the dangerous effects of the strychnine, Hicks managed to finish the race in first place with a time of 3 hours, 28 minutes, and 53 seconds.

Controversy[edit | edit source]

The use of strychnine and brandy by Hicks's handlers was within the rules at the time, as there were no regulations against the use of such substances. However, the incident is often cited as an early example of doping in sports. Hicks's victory remains one of the most controversial in Olympic history.

Later Life[edit | edit source]

After his Olympic victory, Hicks continued to compete in long-distance running events but did not achieve the same level of success. He eventually retired from competitive athletics and lived a quiet life until his death in 1952.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Thomas Hicks's victory in the 1904 Olympic marathon is remembered both for his endurance and the controversial methods used to achieve it. His story is often referenced in discussions about the history of doping in sports.