Jan Mashiani and Len Tau apparently found themselves in the US in 1904 as part of a world’s fair displaying ‘savages’.
Who were the first Africans to compete in the modern Olympic Games ? The answer to that question reveals the surprising story of a 1904 marathon – and exposes the history of racism and white supremacy that characterised the Olympics in its early days.
Mashiani and Tau did not officially represent South Africa at the games. That’s because, in 1904, South Africa was not South Africa at all, it was a colony governed by Great Britain. This was two years after the South African War between Great Britain and two independent Boer republics. So, documenting African sport histories like this one is an important act of reclaiming black life – while discussing the ugly prejudices it has had to endure and rise above.
Van der Merwe writes that while the Olympic marathon was scheduled for 30 August, “athletic events for savages” were planned for 11 and 12 August:
Africa At The Olympics African Sport History Apartheid Colonialism Olympic Games Racism South African War South African History
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