Supporting a uK SucceSS Story: The impacT of - Research Councils ...

past:
HISTORY OF THE OLYMPIC
GAMES AND PARALYMPIC GAMES
This year, London will make history as the only
city to have hosted the Olympic Games on
three occasions. It is an honour which befits
a city that has played such an important part
in helping to support the Olympic movement.
London stepped in to host the 1908 Games at
short notice and held the first Olympic Games
following the Second World War in 1948, at a
time when the world was still at odds. Much
has changed over the last 64 years, but it is
hoped that the 2012 Games will go down in
history as one of the best yet.
London: saviour of the Modern Olympics
Building upon the legacy of the Ancient Olympic Games, since
1896 the Modern Olympic Games has provided an opportunity for
countries to come together regularly in friendly rivalry in the sports
arena, but it has not always been easy. Frequently, the Olympics’
sporting dimension has been qualified, even threatened, by political
and commercial factors.
“Forty years on,
in the summer
of 1948, London
took on the
task of getting
the Olympic
movement
back on track
again after the
controversial 1936
Berlin Olympiad.”
Peter J. Beck, Emeritus Professor of History at Kingston University,
has researched Britain’s relationship with the Olympic Movement,
with specific reference to issues arising from hosting the Games.
In 1908 London, although stepping in as host at almost the last
minute, delivered the Games and the first purpose-built Olympic
Stadium. Moreover, Olympism also emerged much strengthened
from London 1908, frequently described as ‘the first true Olympics’.
Forty years on, in the summer of 1948, London took on the task
of getting the Olympic movement back on track again after
the controversial 1936 Berlin Olympiad and the lengthy gap
following the suspension of the Olympics during the Second
World War. London’s task was not helped by post-war austerity
and the beginnings of the Cold War, but London 1948 placed an
emphasis on the Olympiad as sporting ‘Games’. During the opening
ceremony held at Wembley Stadium, the scoreboard carried the
famous words of Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the Modern
Olympics: “The important thing in the Olympic games is not
winning, but taking part. The essential thing is not conquering, but
fighting well.”
52
SECTION FIVE : THE GAMES: past, present and future