In 1904, St. Louis hosted what would become known as the most bizarre and dangerous Olympics in modern history, complete with rat poison-fueled marathoners, racist spectacles, and athletes who literally hitchhiked through their events.

In 1904, St. Louis hosted what would become known as the most bizarre and dangerous Olympics in modern history, complete with rat poison-fueled marathoners, racist spectacles, and athletes who literally hitchhiked through their events.