The Olympics in 1908 and 1948

1. The Olympics in 1908 and 1948 British Studies olympiad

2. Games of the IV Olympiad • 1908 (27.IV-29.X) London • officially opened by King Edward VII • 22 nations and 2008 athletes (37 women) participating • 24 sporting disciplines were contested

3. Top three nations All medals awarded on one day in mass ceremony

4. Problems • the flags of China and Japan- with no athletes on the Games- were flown instead of those of Sweden and the United States • there were no standard rules in sports, which led to numerous protests

5. Renewals • for the first time the Olympic creed was publicly proclaimed (“the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part”) • the first opening ceremony was held • the competitors paraded behind their country`s flag in sportswear • the first official awarding of the three medals • the exact distance of marathon was established • first to include Winter events

6. Most remarkable events • the only walkover in Olympic history by British runner Wyndham Halswelle • Italian marathon runner who was the first to enter the stadium collapsed several times before he was helped across the finish line

7. Games of the XIV Olympiad • 1948 (29.VII-14.VIII) London • 59 nations and 4104 athletes (390 women) participating

8. Difficulties • no Olympic Village was erected, athletes were accommodated all over London in schools and dormitories • all the participating countries had to bring their own food • Germany and Japan (the agressors of World War II) were not allowed to send athletes to the games

9. Renewals • olympic pictograms (“Olympic symbols”) were introduced for the first time • from 1948 onward athletes placing fourth, fifth and sixth receive certificates (“victory diplomas”) • the London Olympic Games were first to be shown on home televison in Great Britain

10. Thank you for your attention Mari-Leen Sandre Tallinn Coeducational Gymnasium Form 11A