Stamford Bridge, London, June 20–21, 1924
The British Open Championships were held earlier than usual, around Midsummer. This time, the championships also served as trials for the Paris Olympic Games, which were exceptionally early, starting in early July.
A couple of future Olympic champions from the City of Light gave a preview of what was to come. Harold Abrahams from Cambridge University won the 100 yards and the long jump. Eric Liddell from Edinburgh University took the victory in the 440 yards. However, Liddell suffered a surprising defeat in the 220 yards to Howard Kinsman of South Africa.
Future lawyer Douglas Lowe was still trailing behind future doctor Henry Stallard in the 880 yards at this stage. Stallard dashed to a national record of 1:54.6 (equivalent to 1:54.0 in metric distance). The tables turned in Paris, where Lowe stormed to victory, and Stallard narrowly missed out on the medals.
Both Stallard and Lowe were also selected for the 1500 metres in Paris. There, Stallard exhausted himself trying to keep up with Paavo Nurmi. When he crossed the finish line in third place, the man from Leeds collapsed and was taken to the hospital.
Stallard also holds an achievement that has not been surpassed as of the 2020s. He is the only person to have won the British Championship in one, two, and four laps on the track.
Sid Atkinson of South Africa claimed victory in the high hurdles. In Paris, he was on his way to Olympic gold but clipped the last hurdle with his trailing leg and had to settle for silver.
Malcolm Nokes hurled the hammer 51.12 metres (167-9) and took his second consecutive British Championship. He then went on to compete for Olympic gold in Paris.
Stallard defeats Lowe in the 880 yards.
Abrahams is fastest in the 100 yards.