Why the first American Olympic champion never found out that she was the winner of the Olympics (6 photos)
Margaret Abbott died in 1955 at the age of 76 without knowing that she is the first American Olympic champion. The thing is that in 1900 the Olympics were held for the second time in history and simultaneously with the World Exhibition - in the same place, in Paris. Peggy just doesn't I knew I was in the Olympics. 
Margaret Abbot while playing golf
She lived in Chicago and practiced at the local golf club, including including taking part in local amateur competitions and even won. She came to Paris with her mother, who, by the way, also played in golf - and also fit into the "Olympic race".
True, as you already understood, they did not know that the competition relate to the Olympics, thinking that it all takes place within the framework of "sports program" of the World Exhibition. Moreover, they learned about an upcoming event from the ads in the newspaper and decided to try their hand - purely for entertainment, distraction from work and study. 
Newspaper article about Margaret Abbott's victory at the tournament in Paris
It should be noted here that Margaret Abbott in Paris was not just as a traveler, she came to study the arts.
Her mother, Mary Abbott, was at the same time working on the creation guidebook "Women's Paris" - in general, it was quite successful writer and owner of a literary salon in Chicago.
They say that during her studies, Margaret crossed paths with Auguste Rodin and Edgar Degas - only it is not clear whether she took lessons or just talked somewhere on occasion, although this fact is mentioned in her biography. She herself True, she did not become an art star, but in 1902 she came out married, also for a man who was not alien to art - very popular then in US satirical writer Peter Dunn. 
Newspaper announcement of Margaret Abbott and Peter Dunn's pairing
But back to Paris. That mother and daughter Abbott did not understand that they got to the Olympics, there is nothing surprising. To be honest, there in general, there was a mess - ordinary spectators became participants (and even winners), sporting events took place in different places in France, not only in Paris - the same golf course was in the city Compiègne.
And in general, all this is both the Olympics and the World Exhibition - lasted about six months and, say, in the same golf medals were awarded. The winner was presented with a gilded bowl, on which, Apparently, the Olympics were also not mentioned. 
Margaret Abbott during the individual golf competition among women on the field in Compiègne, France, during the 1900 Olympic Games of the year. Restored photo from La Vie au Grand Air magazine dated 14 October 1900.
In addition, golf was included in the list of Olympic sports. only within the framework of another Olympics - after 1904, he ceased to be such until 2016. Apparently, no one in particular was not interested all this time in past results - it was just not relevant.
And only then, as part of the program for the revival of history Olympic golf, so to speak, Margaret Abbott is officially was named the first Olympic champion in this sport. But, of course, this became known earlier - it is believed that thanks to the efforts another American, Professor Paula Welch, who specialized in history of the Olympic Games and sports. 
Another newspaper article about the victories of Margaret Abbott
By the beginning of the 80s of the 20th century, through her efforts, as a result of long showdown with the IOC, this fact was restored and recognized. This was reported family, where, of course, they were surprised - her four children only knew that their mother won the golf competition in Paris.
By the way, here's the "icing on the cake": after winning the Olympic golf competition, Peggy and her mother remained in Paris until 1902 years - and during this time Margaret Abbott managed to win also Femina Cup, from which the French women's golf championship then grew. 
Margaret Abbot, getting older and getting married, did not stop playing golf
