London 2012: The Countdown Series: Flashback to London 1908

About less than 120 hours left until the first day of the London Olympics. Here's a little flashback for you. The 1908 London Olympics.

Nineteen nations medaled in the Games of the V Olympiad. Great Britain won three team medals during these games: in the hockey final against another Great Britain squad; in the football final against Denmark; and in the water polo final against Belgium. However, the Brits lost in the lacrosse final to Canada and in the rugby final to Australasia. Sadly, lacrosse and rugby are no longer Olympic sports-oh wait-sevens rugby will be added to Rio 2016.

Harry Taylor (swimmer) and Mel Sheppard (athletics) won three gold medals each, most individual gold medals in these summer games.

Medal count (top five):
1. Great Britain 56 (gold), 51 (silver), 39 (bronze) 146
2. United States 23, 12, 12 47
3. Sweden 8, 6, 11 25
4. France 5, 5, 9 19
5. Canada 3, 3, 10 16

Up next: a flashback to London 1948.