1948 Summer Olympic Opening Ceremony - London

Posted on the 11 July 2012 by Pinkall @pinkall
1936 Berlin                                                                                                       Helsinki 1952
The Games of the XIV Olympiad London, England
1948
Olympic Ceremony Records
italics indicate records at the time
  • First City to Win Election as Host City Three Times (1908, 1944 not held, 1948)
  • First Opening Ceremony Requiring Athletes to Not Give Olympic Salute (This was a salute with the hand held up and outstretched with palm down - identical to the Nazi salute - you will notice many old films on this site show the Olympic salute.  Because of the similarity, the salute was banned.)
  • Only Olympics Awarded Without a Vote (unanimously given host after the 1944 London Olympic games were cancelled)
  • Most Nations Participating (59) - Previous Berlin 1936 (49)
  • Most Athletes Participating (4,104) - Previous Berlin 1936 (3,963)



Olympic Torch Records
italics indicate records at the time
  • First Torch Carried by Ship
  • Longest Olympic Torch Relay - 3,160km (Previous Berlin 1936 3,075km)
  • Most Nations Traveled - 7 (tie - Berlin 1936)

 Opening Ceremony
Empire Stadium - Wembley Stadium (85,000)
July 29, 1948
Video
(substantial color video)

Official Report
Opening Ceremony Highlights
The Opening Ceremonies for the 1948 Olympics were modest and highly ceremonial.  No announcements were made within the stadium during the ceremony and very little artistic elements were utilized outside of an enormous choir.  It had been 12 years since the last Olympics in Berlin and the London organizers agreed to run a torch relay to generate excitement, hoping the Olympic Games wouldn't become a casualty of WWII.  This was a contentious debate since the Nazis originated the torch relay. Thankfully, the relay was very successful and the Olympics survived; unfortunately, the ceremony program was significantly simplified because of interest within the UK, budget, time constraints, and television broadcasting.  An artistic highlight was music by Roger Quilter, one of the greatest composers in music history, who composed the Olympic Hymn.  Here is the short summary of the ceremony:
  • King and dignitaries enter the stadium
  • National Anthem by the band only
  • Parade of Nations (band plays throughout)
  • King declares the games open
  • Simultaneously:  trumpet fanfare and the Olympic Flag is raised, 2,500 pigeons released by Boy Scouts, and 21 Gun Salute.
  • Olympic Torch is lit by John Mark (youth runner/rugby player from Cambridge - chosen for his looks)
  • Olympic Hymn "Non, Nobis Nomine" by Roger Quilter, words by Rudyard Kipling performed by band and 1,200 member choir
  • Prayer
  • Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah by Handel Performed by Band and Choir
  • Olympic Oath
  • National Anthem performed again (with Choir)
Photos

Gold Medal from the 1948 London Olympics


1948 London Olympic Torch


Official Poster of the 1948 London Olympics


The 1948 Olympic Cauldron at Empire Stadium (Wembley Stadium)