Inter-Allied Games, Pershing Stadium, 22 June - 6 July 1919

[ejwalshe]

The Inter-Allied Games began on 22 June 1919, with an Opening Ceremony in Pershing Stadium, and were formally opened by Monsieur Leygues, the French Minister of the Navy. The Inter-Allied Games were truly considered a military Olympic Games, and today's Invictus Games certainly drew inspiration from the many comptetitors having been wounded while on active service. The only requirement for entry was that all competitors had to have been an officer or an enlisted man in any one of the Allied military forces. The entry asked one queston, “Were you a soldier in the Great War?” While most of the events took place at Pershing Stadium, there were other venues used as well. Swimming took place in the St. James Lake in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris, the equestrian competition was held at Chennevières, and the fencing was conducted at the École d’Éscrime in Joinville. Rugby football took place at Colombes Field in Paris, with the golf matches being held on the La Boulie Course on the outskirts of Paris. Tennis competition occurred at the Racing Club de Paris and Stade Français de Paris. Shooting was conducted at the d’Auvours range near Le Mans. The 1919 Inter-Allied Games ended on Sunday, 6 July. Two events were held that day – a baseball game between the United States and Canada, and the light-heavyweight boxing final.