Archive Homepage
The 1948 Olympics | Behind the scenes at the Austerity Games
About this collection
When the Olympic Games came to London in 1948, the event was visiting a city still suffering from the ravages of World War II. Rationing remained in force and many people had been left homeless, yet the bomb-cratered city rose to the challenge of hosting the world's greatest sporting occasion.
These 'Austerity Olympics' were not only the first post-war Games, but also the first Olympics in which British television played a role. This collection of programmes and photographs looks back at the Games, remembering the athletes who took part and revealing the BBC's role in televising events.
Features
- News | Latest TV Equipment for Olympiad
- 1948 Olympics: Opening Ceremony
1948 Olympics: Opening Ceremony
Image Gallery
Photographs taken at the opening ceremony of the Austerity Games.
- News | Olympic Town at Richmond Park
- 1948 Olympics: Events
The 1948 Olympics Collection
- Programmes (9)
- Documents (3)
- Galleries (3)
News
Olympic Town at Richmond Park
Royal Park to provide accommodation for Olympic competitors.
A Broadcast by the Prime Minister
Rt Hon Clement Attlee welcomes Olympic Athletes
'May the weather be fine, the events well contested and may records be broken.'
News
Latest TV Equipment for Olympiad
TV announces a new era of comfort for crews and better pictures for viewers
Olympic Teams visit Buckingham Palace
Robert Jackson Robinson meets the Royal Family.
Vintage Sporting Years
1948
Stuart MacPherson recalls the 'Austerity Games' of 1948.
bbc.co.uk navigation
BBC links
BBC © 2013 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.