Olympic history recalls that this British-born American won the marathon at the Saint Louis Games of 1904. Today Hicks is considered the first doped Olympic champion. A cocktail of cognac and two strychnine injections helped him complete the event after he encountered serious difficulties not far from the finish.On arrival in the stadium, he almost passed out. Another competitor, who had spent a large part of the race on the running board of a car, was almost awarded the gold medal. Luckily the trick was quickly uncovered.After becoming the Olympic champion in his chosen discipline, Hicks became a circus artiste.