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Revisiting London 1948

7/30/2021

 

An Olympic History Retelling Rich in Detail

The Austerity Olympics (2008)
A Quick Book Review

It took me 13 years and three Summer Olympics later, but I finally sat down with Janie Hampton's The Austerity Olympics: When the Games Came to London in 1948, originally published as an early primer for London 2012. Better late than never, they say, though. And, I'll pat myself on the back for managing to do so during the first week of Tokyo 2020 competition!

In short, I found a rich detail of London 1948, exceedingly researched and engaging, reminiscent of the much-loved work of David Wallechinsky.
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I was spurred to dive in while watching the current Olympics, as I thought that London 1948 - similar to Antwerp 1920 -  might be viewed as a comparison to Tokyo 2020. Those post-World War Games offered an opportunity for the global community to collectively regroup and be inspired after a period of conflict. Similarly, Tokyo 2020 has been positioned as the Games to inspire and provide hope as the world grapples with Covid recovery attempts.

Of course, Hampton's work was published in 2008, without any premonition of what 2020 would bring upon the Olympics. But The Austerity Olympics does provide some similar context - an English public and press skeptical of holding a Games in the aftermath of global conflict, and, specifically to the hosts, within a massively still rebuilding London. Critics decried the perceived allocation of resources while Britons struggled with on-going rationing and reconstruction.

Hampton does a strong job setting that 1948 context, detailing post-war London as the host city tries to accommodate housing, transportation, nutrition, and venue needs for participants.

But the real strength of the book comes as she moves into the Games itself, with deep accounts of all the action, from the Olympic Torch Relay and the Opening Ceremony, to athletics, gymnastics, rowing, soccer, and all the rest. Making London 1948 come alive for the reader is the inclusion of many, many historical firsthand accounts from competitors, and even spectators, as we revisit the exploits of Fanny Blankers Koen, Emil Zatopek, Bob Mathias, Paul Elvstrom, Vicki Draves, and more.

Along the way, a picture of London 1948 is clear. Aside from operational innovations debuted at the Games - the first photo-finish use, the first track starting blocks, the first female gender testing - the real power of the Games success (even the previous critics came around as the Games progressed) was that they went on at all. Holding an Olympics when they could at a time of upheaval provided a moment of inspiration and community. London 1948 was the first Olympics held after 1940 and 1944 editions had been cancelled. What would have happened to the Olympic movement had organizers given in and cancelled again?

Perhaps there is a connection to be seen through to Tokyo 2020. That the current Summer Games are being held, despite an on-going level of crisis and diminished capability, is testament to the strength and need of Olympism to persevere. Time will tell, perhaps in just about a week's time as these Games close, whether today's Games will similarly be seen as a positive marker as London 1948.

A "Creative" Showcase for India's Field Hockey Power

2/24/2021

 

Gold: The Dream That United Our Nation​ (2018)
​A Quick Film Review

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It's an odd start to a biographical film when a disclaimer announces that "All characters in this film are fictitious. Any resemblance to persons [...] is purely coincidental and unintended." That, and having a full 2 minutes + on a pre-opening credits scroll of distribution and production partners. But maybe that second bit is a quirk of Indian cinema, or at least of Indian cinema streamed in the United States (in this case, on Amazon Prime).

Once things get underway, Gold is a fairly conventional sports success story, inspired by India's 1949 gold medal-winning team at London 1948. Set amidst the turbulent times of India's emerging political break from Great Britain's rule, the real world facts are, after three consecutive gold medals representing British India and an eight-year gap in the Olympic schedule due to World War II, India wins its first Olympic title as an independent nation in 1948. And that win - in London - comes at the expense of Great Britain itself, finally reappearing at the Games after a 20 years absence. By the way, India would also win the next two Olympic titles, cementing its place in dynastic legends of the Games.

Along the way, there are requisite obstacles - Nazis, the British, sociopolitical turmoil, bureaucrats, and team infighting. Tapan Das, a fictional character, overcomes a lackluster reputation to build a winning team that lifts the spirit of the new nation.

Gold has a nice look, filmed crisply and colorfully. And, it is certainly refreshing to see a movie devoted to such a lesser-known (in the U.S.) Olympic sport. One can accept most of the film's artistic and dramatic license on the specific details of the path to Olympic gold - remember that opening disclaimer noted above. But Gold really presses the patience with India's gold medal match, presenting a score of 4-3 over Great Britain - in the rain! barefoot! -  when in actuality they won in a pedestrian 4-0. 

If you can look past all the "creative liberties", it's a light and uplifting couple of hours, especially for an Olympic sports-obsessed viewer...and one that respects the sport's status in India.

p.s. Who doesn't appreciate a couple of musical Bollywood interludes?

A Little Roundup

9/1/2020

 
Too many lumps in my throat to count. A documentary on the power of paralympians and the Paralympics, Rising Phoenix is a must-see for those looking for stories on determination, on elite competition, on...athletes.
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How well do you know badminton star Ayaka Takahashi?

Elena Richter and Camilo Mayr announce retirement from Germany's archery team.

FINA.org checks in with Ye Shiwen, who's looking at Tokyo to get back to past Olympic glory.

Zhan Beleniuk is looking to make a mark in Ukraine beyond the mat.
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Katerina Johnson-Thomson shares her personal experience with racism with British Vogue.

No pressure, Carlos Yulo.

Sara Kolak looks past recent injuries to reap the advantages of a coaching change for more Olympic success.

Add multiple-medalist Will Claye to the list of Olympic athletes with an album out. Congrats!
View this post on Instagram

This one feels special! #QUOTED Out now on all platforms! Link in my bio□S/O to God in Heaven for putting this on my heart to do and allowing me to live through these experiences to tell the stories and inspire those who listen. S/o to my Label @desert_water_records for helping me put this together! I couldn’t have done it without the squad ✊□& To everyone who preordered, downloaded and listens to the album I appreciate you and I want you to know it means the world to me. Mixed by: @yaboynois @hksmusic Mastered by: @milliondollarsnare Artwork: @shehatebiggal

A post shared by Will Claye (@willclaye) on Aug 27, 2020 at 9:05pm PDT

(p.s. Noah Lyles has new music, too!)

Finally, Rest in Peace to Folke Alnevik, who passed away at the age of 100. Alnevik was credited as the world's oldest Olympic medalist, after his bronze medal in the track 4 x 400 meters relay for Sweden at London 1948. USA's John Russell (equestrian bronze, Helsinki 1952) is now the oldest medalist, also at 100.

August 17th, Swedish Athlete and oldest living Olympic medal winner, Folke Alnevik passed away at the age of 100. He represented Sweden at the 1948 London Summer Games, where he won a Bronze medal with the Swedish 4 x 400 metres relay team.https://t.co/DWg2rveP3K pic.twitter.com/N5Bux9FoJx

— Lost Olympians (@LostOlympians) August 30, 2020

Congrats, Vicki Draves!

8/3/2020

 
Draves is honored as a Google Doodle on the anniversary of her first of two gold medals at London 1948. At those Games, the native San Franciscan was the first woman to win both diving events - springboard and platform - and the first American woman to win two diving gold medals. One milestone often overlooked is her also becoming the first Asian American gold medalist, having won her springboard gold two days before Sammy Lee's own platform diving win. More information on this groundbreaking Olympian is here.

Congratulations, Vicki!
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A Little Weekend Roundup

7/27/2020

 
On this date eight years ago, London 2012 officially opened. The Games featured 10,768 athletes from 204 countries, and represented the second time London hosted.
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Fanny Blankers-Koen's exploits at London 1948 are the focus in the latest entry of the "Beyond the World War II We Know" series from The New York Times.  Competing at the first post-war Games, Koen - who appeared 12 years earlier at Berlin 1936 - won four gold medals in track & field.
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Stina Nilsson doubles down on her 2020 switch from cross-country star to biathlon.

The International Skating Union has a roundup of short track stars' training during the Covid-19 lockdown.

World Athletics: Darlan Romani pushes past Tokyo 2020 postponement disappointment to train for another podium.
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Interested in knowing more about Rikako Ikee, the star of Tokyo 2020's one year-out celebration?

Olympic Channel: Mai Murakami is recovering from injury and looking forward to lots more gymnastics.

RTE shares a look at modern pentathlete Natalya Coyle as she pushes through the lockdown to reach Tokyo 2020 in top form.
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The Associated Press has their own look at would be-Olympians' perspective of Tokyo 2020 at the would-be 2020 start.

Phil Dalhausser wins his 100th career beach volleyball title, joining an exclusive club of top performers.

Sanya Richards-Ross shares her Beijing 2008 heartbreak with The Players' Tribune in empathy with the frustrations of missing the Olympics this year for Tokyo 2020 athletes.
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And...right on the heels of the one year-out celebration, here's a reality check. Whomp Whomp
    Above: Athens' Kallimarmaro, the site of the 1896 Summer Olympics


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