South Africa was the first country to claim an Olympic Gold medal. Reggie Walker won gold in the Men’s 100-meter event in the 1908 London Summer Games. His effort of 10.8 seconds edged James Rector from the United States by about 18 inches. Walker still reigns as the youngest winner of the 100-meter event at 19 years and 128 days. The 1908 Summer Olympics was to take place in Rome but had to be relocated to London due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1906. Rome would not have the chance to host the event until 1960. Berlin and Milan also put in bids to host the 1906 games. One hundred and ten events across twenty-two sports were contested at the games.