Women's word: the 'austerity' olympics - London 1948

Sat 23 June 2012

Lucy Cavendish College

When the Olympics came to London in 1948, post-war Britain was in an economic crisis far worse than the present. Blending Heath Robinson improvisation with the spirit of Ealing Comedy, competitors brought their own towels, slept in schools and travelled by Underground. Despite food rationing and terrible weather, great Olympians such as Fanny Blankers-Koen attracted cheering Londoners to Wembley Stadium.

Janie Hampton’s meticulous research brings the era of ‘Make-do and Mend’ to life with tales of the adversity faced by women athletes. The Austerity Olympics was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year, and Matt Smith starred in Bert and Dickie, the film based on this book, and the BBC’s contribution to the Cultural Olympiad.

Cost: £7