The 1948 Olympics | Behind the scenes at the Austerity Games

The Austerity Olympics

Memories of the 1948 London Games.

CHANNEL | Radio 4

FIRST BROADCAST | 14 July 1992

DURATION | 25 minutes 42 seconds

FIRSTBROADCAST

1992

Synopsis

Athletes who took part in the 1948 Olympic Games look back on the brief period of sporting triumph that flourished in the rubble of post-war London.

Did you know?

Although defeated Axis powers Japan and Germany were not allowed to send athletes to the 1948 Games, Italy (which had signed an armistice with the Allies in 1943) did compete. It came fifth in the results table with eight gold, 11 silver and eight bronze medals.

Contributors

Jon Champion
Narrator
Rex Alston
Contributor
Fanny Blankers-Koen
Contributor
Richard Burnell
Contributor
Sylvia Cheeseman
Contributor
Gwen Dance
Contributor
John Disley
Contributor
Jaroslav Drobny
Contributor
Sandy Duncan
Contributor
Vera Ellery
Contributor
Clive Godden
Contributor
Derek Lewis
Contributor
Bob Mathias
Contributor
David Miller
Contributor
Ken Richmond
Contributor
Gavin Thow
Contributor
Joanne Watson
Producer

Associated subjects

London | Sporting Events

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Documents

Radio Times article about Televising the Olympic Games.

Radio Times - Televising the Olympic Games

WRITTEN 1948
1 Page

Exciting times for the new BBC television service.

Radio Times cover for the Olympiad, London 1948

Radio Times - XIV Olympiad London 1948

WRITTEN 1948
1 Page

What else is on besides the Olympics?

A Radio Times feature on the Television Commentators at the Olympic Games

Radio Times - Television Commentators at the Olympic Games

WRITTEN 1948
1 Page

The faces behind the voices commentating on the Olympic Games.

Galleries

A gymnast practising on the high bar.

1948 Olympics: Events

Capturing the action of the London Olympics Games.

A BBC television camera televises the action.

1948 Olympics: Opening Ceremony

Photographs taken at the opening ceremony of the Austerity Games.

The BBC's Olympic broadcasting centre.

Broadcasting the 1948 Olympics

How the BBC televised the Games.

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