August 29
International Olympic Committee votes to include Germany and Japan
Following the conclusion of World War II in 1945, the London Olympic games were the first to take place after conflict had ended. However, while battles were no longer being fought, tension between countries was still substantial. As a result, Germany and Japan were not invited to participate in the London games. It wasn’t until Aug. 29, 1952, that the International Olympic Committee voted to readmit West Germany and Japan.
Lance Armstrong stripped of Tour de France titles
On Aug. 29, 2012, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) stripped Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles, citing allegations that Armstrong had taken performance-enhancing drugs throughout his cycling career. Armstrong won the Tour de France, the oldest and most prestigious cycling race that takes place annually in France, in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. However, after the doping investigation, he was stripped of all seven titles and banned from competing in the race for the rest of his life.
August 30
Babe Ruth is thrown out of a game for 5th time
Babe Ruth, an American Hall of Fame baseball player, achieved impressive statistics during his 22-year career, earning him the nickname “The Great Bambino.” However, as spectators and sport fans would agree, 1922 was not his best year. During Ruth’s first game of the season, he struck out twice, popped out and grounded out. Disapproval from the crowd and tension among the players resulted in a turbulent season for Ruth. Occasions of aggressive interactions with umpires landed Ruth various fines and suspension from games. On Aug. 30, 1922, he was thrown out for the fifth time. However, despite Ruth’s rough season, he managed to come back in 1923 as the team’s MVP.
September 1
First all Black/Latino starting nine
Twenty four years after Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier, the Pittsburgh Pirates became the first team to feature an all Black and Latino starting nine in MLB history. Although their lineup in previous years had included many minorities, it was not until Sept. 1, 1971 that the starting nine was entirely made up of men of color. According to “The Undefeated,” former player Al Oliver told Fox News, “It wasn’t maybe as big as Jackie Robinson breaking into the major leagues [in 1947], but it should be up there as far as baseball history is concerned. I think it’s a day that really should be celebrated.”
