Len Taunyane

Amongst the field of 32 athletes to take to the start line of the marathon at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics were and Len Taunyane and Jan Mashiani. The pair were both Tswana Tribesmen and were the first black South African Olympians. They were present at the South African exhibit of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and had been dispatch runners during the Boer War where they were noted to be “the fleetest in the service.” At the exposition Taunyane and Mashiani had the indignity of being exhibited in a two-day event billed as “Anthropology Days.” Here they were dressed in native costumes and threw spears for the amusement of the onlooking white men.

Taunyane and Mashiani had originally travelled to the United States to be part of an exhibition about the Boer War. The event was later cancelled, however, following a dispute between the organisers and the Transvaal Farmer’s Association. Both men were then invited to run in the marathon at the St. Louis Games. The race was infamous for taking place on dusty roads in extreme heat and because the initial winner Fred Lorz was disqualified after taking a ride in an automobile.

Taunyane had originally finished in 10th place, which was then upgraded to ninth following Lorz’s disqualification. Taunyane also ran in the one-mile race as part of the Anthropology Days in St. Louis, finishing in third place, although only three athletes took part in the event.

Personal Best: Mar – unknown.