Taking place just three short years after the end of the Second World War, when much of London — and indeed, much of Europe — was still rebuilding after the devastation of the 20th century’s most cataclysmic conflict, the 1948 London summer Olympics were the first since the 1936 Berlin Games.
While the war was over, however, it was hardly forgotten. Neither Japan nor Germany was allowed to compete. (The third Axis power, Italy, sent more than 200 athletes to London, having — wisely — joined the Allies in the middle of the war after Mussolini was deposed and executed.) The Soviet Union, meanwhile, as LIFE told its readers in August 1945, “snubbed the whole show” — hardly surprising, as the USSR had not sent athletes to an Olympiad since 1922, and would not do so until 1952.
But whatever ideological fault lines existed around the globe in the immediate aftermath of the war, the obvious and overriding emphasis in London in 1948 was the athletes, and the generally friendly, intense competition on display.
As LIFE put it in an article shortly after the ’48 Games ended:
For 17 days — except for one night when there was trouble with the gas line — the torch flamed brightly at Wembley, England.
The ceremonial dignity of the London Olympiad was no match for the neopagan histrionics which characterized Adolf Hitler’s 1936 spectacle in Berlin. But by athletic standards the show was superb, despite the fact that the weather was the worst in Olympic history (the sun shone only three days). The general decorum of competing athletes was admirable, and only a very slight international tension followed a disputed U.S. victory in the 400-meter relay.
The U.S. won 38 golds in 1948, followed by Sweden (16), France and Hungary (10 apiece). The United Kingdom won three gold medals.
Not published in LIFE. Torchbearer Henry Allen Bishop, 1948 London Olympics.Mark Kauffman—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "As 5,000 athletes mass on the infield of Wembley Stadium before a crowd of 82,000, The Olympic torch flares up for the first time on July 29, a few minutes after XIV Olympiad has been officially opened by King George VI. The huge delegations in front are British and U.S."Ed Clark—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Athletes compete in running event at Wembley Stadium, 1948 London Olympics.William Sumits—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Distance champion Emil Zatopek of Czechoslovakia, running with his characteristic agonized expression and no grace, starts last lap in 10,000 meters, where he set a new Olympic record. He received a gold medal and promotion from second to first lieutenant in Czech army."Frank Scherschel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Swedish Henry Eriksson receives congratulations after winning the 1500meters in the driving rain.Ed Clark—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. The Netherlands' Fanny Blankers-Koen (foreground), who won four golds in 1948, competes in a sprint heat.William Summits—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Hurdles champion Fanny Blankers-Koen (right) of Holland skims over last barrier in the 80-meter race inches ahead of Great Britain's Maureen Gardner. Mrs. Blankers-Koen, 30-year-old mother of two children who cooks, knits, darns socks and does her training in between, also won the women's 100-meter and 200-meter sprints and picked up a fourth medal by running on a victorious relay team."Mark Kauffman—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Jamaican athlete Herb McKenley, London, 1948.William Sumits—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. American pole vaulter Guinn Smith attempts (unsuccessfully) to break world record, London, 1948.Frank Scherschel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Guinn Smith of U.S. won the hard way -- in a driving rain which caused vaulters' hands to slip from bamboo poles and made Olympic record impossible. Above, Smith's body is draped over bar as he fails on first try at winning height. Next time he made it."Mark Kauffman—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Eventual decathlon winner, 17-year-old American Bob Mathias, waits for his turn at the pole vault, London, 1948.Ed Clark—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Javelin throw winner Herma Baumer of Austria, London Olympics, 1948.Frank Scherschel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. American diver Zoe Ann Olsen prepares for a springboard dive. She won silver in London in 1948.Ed Clark—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Swimming, London Olympics, 1948.Ed Clark—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. American springboard dive winners Zoe Ann Olsen (left), Vicki Manolo Draves (center) and Patty Elsener display their medals.Ed Clark—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Fanny Blankers-Koen (right) of the Netherlands holds flowers after winning the 200-meter dash, London, 1948.William Sumits—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Gaston Reiff of Belgium stands on the winner's block after the 5,000 meters, London, 1948.Mark Kauffman—Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImagesNot published in LIFE. Members of the winning American crew (from Cal Berkeley) carry coach Ky Ebright on their shoulders, London, 1948.Mark Kauffman—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
