What were the UK’s ‘Austerity Olympics’?

Members of the British Olympic Team of Gymnasts practising on the high bar in Hyde Park for the 1948 Olympic Games (Picture: PUBLICITY PICTURE)

While France may have dubbed their games the ‘Popular Olympics’, the competition has not always enjoyed Paris’ opulence.

Britain’s own celebrations in 1948 were called the ‘Austerity Olympics’ and the games did not enjoy the scents of freshly baked croissants.

But as its combatants marked the end of World War Two the fires of compatriotism never burnt so bright.

An 85,000-strong crowd arrived to watch the opening ceremony at Wembley Park, and global unity finally seemed to be a thing of the present – not just a hopeful wish.

‘The hour has struck, a visionary dream has today become a glorious reality,’ Lord Burghley, opening the ceremony, said

‘At the end of the worldwide struggle in 1945… there is warm flame of hope for a better understanding in the world which has burned so low.’

In true London fashion, 2,500 pigeons were set free and King George VI declared the ‘Austerity Games’ to be open after a 12 year hiatus.

The financial and emotional cost of World War Two meant nearly every country was on its knees – but it was decided the prestigious event should return, with the UK asked to host.

Malvin Whitfield wins the 800 metre final at the 14th Olympic Games in London, England. 2nd August 1948. (Photo by Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

Opening of the Olympic Games, London, 1948. Opening of the Olympic Games, London, 1948 Olympic Photo Association (Photo by Daily Herald Archive/National Science & Media Museum/SSPL via Getty Images)

Medalists of the women’s Discus (Picture: AFP)

Unlike the flashy and successful London games in 2012, no new venues could possibly built just three years after the peace treaties were signed.

Athletes had to stay in sub par accommodation as London only just began rebuilding the thousands of bombed out buildings.

British participants even hard to provide their own shorts and towels, with bed linen being provided half-heartedly.

Team GB athlete Jack Braughton did his morning shift on a construction site before taking the tub to race in the 5,000 metre heats.

Yet, a record 59 nations took part, with only a few countries – namely Germany, Japan and the Soviet Union – being banned or refusing to take part.

Fencing at the 1948 Olympic Games (Picture: Bettmann Archive)

American divers in training for the 1948 London Olympics (Picture: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The Olympic torch handover at Redhill, Surrey (Picture: Hulton Archive)

British Olympic high jumper Dorothy Tyler (Odam) jumping over the washing line at her home in Mitcham, Surrey (Picture: Hulton Archive)

No one tried to hide the games were held on a shoe string budget, but as expectations were already low, nations celebrated a feeling of being ‘back to normal’.

In total, 4,104 athletes took part across 19 different sports – an astounding number considering how many lost their lives over the war.

Highlights included Dutch sprinter and mother-of-two Fanny Blankers-Koen, aka the Flying Housewife, winning four gold medals in athletics.

The games were seen as a complete success, with a 580 report writing: ‘Thus were launched the Olympic Games of London, under the most happy auspices.

‘The smooth-running Ceremony, which profoundly moved not only all who saw it but also the millions who were listening-in on the radio throughout the world.’

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