This article is from the July issue of Total Politics
Come this summer, the Olympic Games will have been held in London three times in modern history.
The Games that were held in London in 1948 were inaugurated on 29 July, two days later than the slated 27 July that will mark the start of London 2012.
And while a silver or gold medal is considered the best memento to have of the events, something as humble as a letter can better capture the atmosphere and spirit of those who witnessed the moments of glory.
The letter pictured is from a House of Commons clerk, Basil Drennan, who describes a visit to the Games a few days later.
He wrote to his mother on House of Commons crested notepaper: “… we went to the Games, which were magnificent. We didn’t care for the rain much… but we watched the 5,000 metres, in which the runners went through a downpour, with puddles all over the track, and even so beat the Olympic record!
“I saw the remarkable Czech, Zatopek, sprint in the last 100 yards, nearly catching up the winner, a Belgian, at the tape… I thought the stadium arrangements were excellent. The press does make a fuss.”
For more information, visit www.parliament.uk/archives
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