The Austerity Olympics: When the Games Came to London in 1948 - Softcover

Hampton, Janie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1845134230 ISBN 13: 9781845134235

Publisher: Aurum Pr Ltd, 2009

Synopsis

As the financial crisis puts a stranglehold on credit and funding, the upcoming 2012 Olympics in London already look to fall well short of their current budget. Fortunately, London has been through just such hard times before in the run-up to an Olympics, and in 1948 it showed how to run a fantastic event on a tiny budget. This thrilling history of the last Olympics in London is a tale of female competitors sewing their own kit, teams ferried to events on red London buses and billeted in Spartan hostels or even army camps, and the main stadium being hastily cleared of greyhound racing to allow the athletics to take place. The total budget was a shockingly low £760,000, and great athletes like Emil Zatopek and Fanny Blankers-Koen thrilled the crowds nonetheless.

About this title

About the Author:

Janie Hampton is the author of Joyce Grenfell. Sebastian Coe is the chief of the 2012 London Olympics.

Review:

'An enthralling account' Independent 'A fascinating book... researched with an awesome thoroughness' Daily Telegraph 'Hampton's excellent book should be compulsory reading for everyone involved in the 2012 London Olympics' Critic's Choice Daily Mail

About this edition

• Publisher: Aurum Pr Ltd
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1845134230
• ISBN 13: 9781845134235
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368