British Heritage

1. ationalogramme
Intern tion Pr
Londo n 2012 Educa
Heritage of the
Olympic Games
Taking the past and the present
into the future
In the summer of 2012, athletes from all
over the world will come to London to take
part in the ultimate festival of Olympic
sport and culture, the Olympic Games.

2. While 2012 will be a very exciting year for London, this is not the first time that the city has hosted
the Games. London also hosted the Olympic Games in 1908 and 1948. Here are some facts about
past Games:
1908 1948 2012
Number of competing teams 22 59 205
Number of athletes 2,008 4,104 10,400
Number of sports 22 17 26
Date of the Opening Ceremony 27 April 1908 29 July 1948 27 July 2012
Date of the Closing Ceremony 31 October 1908 14 August 1948 12 August 2012
Acti vity idea
How has your community
changed?
How has your school or community
changed between the years 1908, 1948
and 2012? Has much happened in
that time? How has life in your country
changed since 1908? What were the
fashions like then? What was the music
like? Who was famous in 1908 and
1948? Are they still famous today?
Create timelines of the different eras
Quote me! in your country. Make your timelines
colourful and include as many different
‘I can’t think of a better place than London
facts as possible about life in those times.
to hold an event that unites the world.’
Nelson Mandela,
former President of South Africa
The 1908 Games were originally awarded to Rome, Italy, but because the nearby volcano Mount
Vesuvius erupted in 1906, the Games were awarded to London.
London was going to host the Olympic Games again in 1944. However, due to the Second World
War, the Games were cancelled. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) later elected London
again as Host City for the 1948 Olympic Games.

3. Compare the Games of 1908, 1948 and 2012
Olympic Stadia
1908 1948 2012
What events took place in the Stadia? What do you think the Opening Ceremonies in 1908
and 1948 might have included? What would the similarities to today be? What would the
differences be?
Olympic Medals
1908 1948 2012
What do you think of the 2012 Olympic gold medal design? What does it represent?
Marathon
1908 1948 2012
There are many personal accounts from athletes about competing in Olympic Marathons. Can you
write your own story about competing in the 1908 Marathon and finishing in the Olympic Stadium?
How would you feel after running 26.2 miles?

4. Diving
1908 1948 2012
Can you research the different techniques for Diving and how they have developed?
Hockey
1908 1948 2012
Do you play hockey in your country? How have the rules and equipment changed since 1908?
Advertising posters
1908 1948 2012
Look at the different ways in which the Games have been promoted and advertised over the years.
What differences can you see? Why is there a difference? Are posters still an important promotional
tool? Have the places where posters might be displayed changed since 1908?

5. 1908 Games: Did you know?
– the first time, a stadium was specially
For
fitted out for the Games.
–
Hockey and Diving featured as
Olympic sports.
–
Swimming did not take place in the open
water as a pool was specially built – this
outdoor pool was located in the middle of
the Athletics track.
– distance for the Marathon was fixed
The
at 26 miles and 385 yards (42km and
195m) so that the route started at Windsor
Castle and finished at the box where
Royal attendees, including the British
Royal Family, were sitting in the Stadium.
– Athletics event included for the first
The
time a relay, called ‘The Olympic Relay’.
The athletes ran 200m, 400m and 800m.
–
Athletes paraded behind their country’s
flag in sportswear during the Opening
Ceremony.
–
Australia and New Zealand were
represented by a single delegation,
a
under the name of Australasia.
Ac tivity ide
Travelling to the 1908 Games
Travel arrangements in 1908 for the
athletes and spectators would have been
quite different to today and the journeys
would have taken much longer.
Did athletes from your country compete
at the 1908 Games? How do you think
they travelled there? Did they fly in an
aeroplane? Did they take a ship to get
to the Games? Research the details and
then act it out. Show your team’s 1908
journey to other people.

6. London 1908: Image sheet
Many things have changed since the 1908 Games in London – in the UK and around the world.
These pictures give us an idea of what life was like during the Games in 1908:

7. 1948 Games: Did you know?
a
The 1948 Games were the first to be Act ivity ide
shown on home television.
Comparison of the Games
Starting blocks were used for the How much do you know about the
Athletics Sprint races. Games of 1908 and 1948? Who were
the heroes of the Games? Did a team
A volunteer programme was created to from your country exist in 1948? If so,
help run the Games. did they take part? Do you know how
well they did?
The Empire Pool was the first covered
swimming pool in history. Located not Research the IOC and London 2012
far from Wembley Stadium, it could websites to learn fascinating facts about
house 8,000 spectators. past teams and athletes. Share any
information you find out with people in
Basketball made its first appearance as your local community.
an indoor sport. In 1936, the matches
had been played outdoors, with the You could even make profiles on past
final in the rain. stars of the Games. Produce posters
or artwork of these stars or run
A women’s Canoeing event was held presentations to show your school which
for the first time, as well as the events athlete was the ‘true’ Olympic hero of the
of Road Cycling and Jumping. Games in 1908 or 1948.

8. a
Ac tivity ide
a
Teacher’s idea
Ac tivity ide
Imagine you are an athlete from your
home team competing in one of the How has sport changed?
events at the 1948 Games. How would Look at the sports in the 1948 Games
you prepare? Choose your favourite and the 2012 Games. How have they
event. What equipment would you be changed? What did people wear to play
able to use? Check the IOC and London sport? What equipment did they have?
2012 websites for more helpful facts.
Use this same idea and imagine how you Why not ask your teachers or parents/
would train for the 1908 Games too! grandparents how your favourite sports
An idea from Derek Peaple, have changed during their lifetime?
Park House Academy
This document and the official Emblems of the London 2012 Games are © London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Ltd (LOCOG) 2007-2011. All rights reserved. LOC2011/IEP/1812
London 1948: Image Sheet
Here are some images from the London 1948 Games: