Double Sculls, Men1

There was no official competition because of the horrid weather, which included high winds, almost freezing rain, and very rough seas. However, the German double sculls team of Berthold Küttner and Alfred Jäger were there and ready to race. Küttner later wrote of this, as follows:

“Finally our day had come! A glorious sun was shining from heaven and a light breeze blew through the country. The regatta started in the morning and was attended by the Royal Court, the Greek Olympic Committee, headed by Prince George who had been charged by the King to lead the regatta. The complete Royal Family was there. The double scull would be the first to start because the wind had become much stronger. On a fishing boat we took our double scull to the starting line. We already had problems getting into the double scull because of the swells. From our opponents no one had appeared – although both Greeks and Italians had applied. Because a longer wait for them seemed pointless, the starter told us to sail without competition.”

For their efforts, Küttner and Jäger received bronze medals, which were likely the same as participation medals. The event is not considered an official Olympic medal event.