Boston Celebrates its Olympian Champions with Reception at Faneuil Hall on May 13, 1896

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The Boston athletes who triumphed in the first Modern Olympics in Athens, Greece were feted by an enthusiastic crowd of family, friends and supporters with a reception in their honor at Faneuil Hall, followed by a banquet at the Vendrome Hotel on May 13, 1896.

 Local poet Henry O'Meara wrote a special tribute, "To Our Laureled Sons," which was recited and later sung by Irish tenor Joseph White. 

 The team's manager was John Graham, and the track and field athletes were Thomas E. Burke, Ellery H. Clark, Thomas P. Curtis, W.W. Hoyt and Arthur Blake, representing the Boston Athletic Association; and James Brendan Connolly, representing the Suffolk Athletic Club in South Boston.   Connolly had remained in Europe after the Olympics and was not at the celebration. 

 Attending the banquet with other dignitaries were Governor Roger Wolcott and Boston Mayor Josiah Quincy, according to a story in The Boston Globe. 

 For more information on Boston's Irish history, visit IrishHeritageTrail.com. 


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