Football at the 1904 Summer Olympics — 1904 edition of the association football tournament during the Olympic Games
Galt F.C. of Canada won the first Olympic gold medal in football, a result that remains the best for either Canada or the United States in men's Olympic football.
Key Facts
- Teams competed
- 3 club teams (2 from USA, 1 from Canada)
- Gold medalist
- Galt F.C. (Canada)
- Silver medalist
- Christian Brothers College (USA)
- Bronze medalist
- St. Rose Parish (USA)
- Tournament format
- Round-robin
- IOC recognition
- Official; FIFA does not recognize due to no national teams
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis were held in conjunction with the World's Fair, providing an opportunity to include association football as one of the later events. Originally five teams were entered, but Berlin Rangers and the University of Toronto both withdrew before the draw, leaving only three club sides to compete.
Three club teams — Galt F.C. from Ontario, Canada, and Christian Brothers College and St. Rose Parish from St. Louis — competed in a round-robin tournament in November 1904. The match between Christian Brothers College and St. Rose Parish was replayed after a draw in their first meeting. Gold medals were awarded at these Olympics for the first time.
Galt F.C. claimed the gold medal, Christian Brothers College the silver, and St. Rose Parish the bronze. These remain the best men's Olympic football finishes for Canada and the United States respectively. The IOC recognizes the contest as official, though FIFA does not, because only club rather than national teams participated.
Result
at St. Louis, Missouri