• London 1948

London 1948 - Key Moments

ESPN staff
October 12, 2011
London 1948: Key Moments | Quick Hits | Key Facts | Medal Table | Gallery | Olympics Histories Home

The equestrian events were extremely popular © PA Photos
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Returning in style
After a 12-year absence due to World War II the Olympics returned. London was called on at short notice and there were concerns with rationing still in place, but the Games - known as the Austerity Games were deemed a huge success. The Games were beamed live to people's homes for the first time, but this was only available to the minority due to the lack of television sets in homes.

A young man makes his mark
The Games have a history of throwing up fledgling winners but Bob Mathias remains the youngest man to win an Olympic athletics event when taking the decathlon as a 17-year-old.

One for the mothers
Netherlands' Fanny Blankers-Koen became a star of the Games, with the Dutch mother of three winning four gold medals in the 100m, 80m hurdles, 200m and 4x100m relay.

A sporting cover-up
The Empire Pool near Wembley was the first Olympic pool to have a roof. The pool was longer than the standard 50m resulting in a wooden platform being inserted.

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