Illustration by W. Hatherell showing Edward VII with Queen Alexandra at the opening of the 1908 Olympic Games in London. Rome had originally been selected to host the 1908 Olympics, but the Italian organizers withdrew after a 1906 eruption of Mount Vesuvius created havoc in the country. The IOC asked the British Olympic Association to take over. London was well-equipped to stage the Games, but it was the first Olympics to be overshadowed by political disagreements and controversy over judging decisions. The Finns were told they would have to walk under a Russian flag so they chose not to carry a flag at all. Irish athletes could only take part under Great Britain's flag and the Americans refused to tip their flag at the king during the opening ceremony. Many judging decisions went against the Americans as a result.