The men's

single scull A single scull (or a scull) is a rowing boat designed for a single person who propels the boat with two oars, one in each hand. Racing boats (often called "shells") are long, narrow, and broadly semi-circular in cross-section in order to minimi ...

s was one of four

rowing Rowing is the act of propelling a human-powered watercraft using the sweeping motions of oars to displace water and generate reactional propulsion. Rowing is functionally similar to paddling, but rowing requires oars to be mechanically atta ...

events on the

Rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics At the 1908 Summer Olympics, four rowing Rowing is the act of propelling a human-powered watercraft using the sweeping motions of oars to displace water and generate reactional propulsion. Rowing is functionally similar to paddli ...

programme. Nations could enter up to 2 boats (total of 2 rowers).Official Report, p. 37. Nine rowers from six nations competed. The host nation, Great Britain, earned the top two spots with

Harry Blackstaffe Henry Thomas "Harry" Blackstaffe (28 July 1868 – 22 August 1951) was a British rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics. Blackstaffe was born in Islington, London, and became a butcher. He was a long-standing member of Vesta Rowing ...

taking gold and

Alexander McCulloch Alexander McCulloch (25 October 1887 – 5 September 1951) was a British rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics. Biography McCulloch was born at Melbourne, Australia, the son of George McCulloch. His father, who was born in Scotland, m ...

silver. It was the first victory in the event for Great Britain, which had taken bronze in 1900. The two bronze medals went to semifinalists Bernhard von Gaza of Germany and

Károly Levitzky Dr. Károly Levitzky (1 May 1885, Dorgos – 23 August 1978, Budapest) was a Hungarian rower who competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London and at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm. He won a bronze medal in single sculls ...

of Hungary, both nations making their debut in the event.

Background

This was the third appearance of the event. Rowing had been on the programme in 1896 but was cancelled due to bad weather. The single sculls has been held every time that rowing has been contested, beginning in 1900. For the first time, there was a strong international field. The

Diamond Challenge Sculls The Diamond Challenge Sculls is a rowing event for men's single sculls at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. First run in 1844, it is open to male scullers from all eligible rowing clubs.

winners competing were Lou Scholes of Great Britain (1904),

of Great Britain (1906), and

of Canada (1908). Great Britain had another strong sculler in London for the Games in

Frederick Septimus Kelly Frederick Septimus Kelly (29 May 1881 – 13 November 1916) was an Australian and British musician and composer and a rowing (sport), rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics. After surviving the Gallipoli campaign He was killed in action ...

(1902, 1903, and 1905 Diamond champion), but he had retired from sculling and competed in the eight instead; only two of the British rowers would have been able to compete under the 1908 national limits in any case. Prominent American sculler

Frank Greer Frank Bartholomew Greer (February 26, 1879 – May 7, 1943) was an American rower who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics. Rowing career A native of East Boston, Greer was a member of the East Boston Amateur Athletic Boat Club. He held the Nat ...

, the reigning Olympic champion, did not compete. Belgium, Canada, Germany, Hungary, and Italy each made their debut in the event. Great Britain was the only nation to have competed before, making its second appearance.

Competition format

The 1908 tournament featured four rounds of one-on-one races; with 9 boats in the competition, 7 had byes to the quarterfinals and only 1 race was held in the first round. Semifinal losers each received bronze medals. The course was 1.5 miles in length, with two slight bends near the start and about halfway.Official Report, pp. 237–38.

Schedule

Results

First round

Heat 1

Von Gaza won easily, and Killer abandoned the race after the German crossed the finish line.

Quarterfinals

Quarterfinal 1

Quarterfinal 2

Quarterfinal 3

Bowler capsized, leaving Blackstaffe with the win.

Quarterfinal 4

Semifinals

Semifinal 1

Semifinal 2

von Gaza fell ill at the 1500m mark, leaving Blackstaffe to ease off and win.

Final

McCulloch took the early lead, but started by pulling fewer strokes than Blackstaffe. McCulloch opened up by a length and led through 1200 yards before being caught by Blackstaffe. At 1 mile, Blackstaffe pulled ahead by ¾ of a length and held this lead to the finish.

Results summary

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Rowing At The 1908 Summer Olympics - Men's Single Sculls Men's sculls 1