1948 Summer Olympics torch relay
Host city | London, United Kingdom |
---|---|
Countries visited | Greece, Italy, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, England |
Distance | 3,160 km |
Torch bearers | 1,688 |
Start date | 17 July 1948 |
End date | 29 July 1948 |
Torch designer | Ralph Lavers |
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The 1948 Summer Olympics torch relay was run from 17 July until 29 July 1948, prior to the 1948 Summer Olympics, held in London, United Kingdom. The relay was nicknamed the "relay of peace".[1] It was only the second occasion that a torch relay was held for the Olympics; the first was at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
There were three types of torches designed for use on the relay: a standard
The route itself was initially designed to be a direct one from Olympia to Wembley, taking in Italy, Switzerland and France. Belgium and Luxembourg were added to the route after those countries requested it. It was expected that the Greek part of the relay would be 750 kilometres (470 mi), but was reduced to 35 kilometres (22 mi) due to concerns over security. After the 12-day journey, the torch arrived at the Empire Stadium only thirty seconds later than expected.
Background
London having hosted the 1908 Summer Olympics, the 1948 event was only the second Games to stage an Olympic torch relay, it being first run at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.[2] Former British athlete David Cecil, 6th Marquess of Exeter, and the rest of the organising committee for the 1948 Games, agreed to run a torch relay for a second time.[3]
Relay elements
Torch
Each of the torches contained a
A differently designed torch was used for the final leg. It was made of stainless steel and was fueled by magnesium in order to ensure that the flame showed up properly during the opening ceremony.[3] It was also designed by Ralph Lavers, with the frame for the torch created by EMI, and the magnesium candle supplied by Wessex Aircraft Engineering. Neither the suppliers nor designer charged a fee for the final torch.[5]
Planned torch route
- Key
* As planned
Location | Distance | Stages | Torches |
---|---|---|---|
Greece | 750 kilometres* | 300 | 324 |
HMS Whitesand Bay | 415 kilometres | — | 6 |
Italy | 1,072 kilometres | 500 | 540 |
Switzerland | 261 kilometres | 135 | 144 |
France (i) | 521 kilometres | 270 | 300 |
Luxembourg | 108 kilometres | 38 | 42 |
Belgium | 287 kilometres | 108 | 120 |
France (ii) | 126 kilometres | — | — |
HMS Bicester | 35 kilometres | — | 12 |
England (Dover - Wembley) | 255 kilometres | 73 | 80 |
England (Wembley - Torquay) | 330 kilometres | 107 | 120 |
Total | 3,160 kilometres (1,960 mi) | 1531 | 1688 |
- Source: The Official Report of the Organising Committee for the XIV Olympiad[6]
Torch route
While the general negotiation with other countries and the specific route were handled by the Organising Committee for the Games, the detailed organisation was delegated to a subgroup led by F.W. Collins.[7] Due to cost implications, the extensive route conducted by the 1936 Games was ruled out.[4] Instead, the simplest route from Olympia to London was to be used, going by sea to Italy and then run through Switzerland and France. The route was modified only when Luxembourg and Belgium both requested that the torch travel their territories.[5] A longer Greek route was planned, but reduced from an expected 750 kilometres (470 mi) down to 35 kilometres (22 mi) due to concerns over instability in the country and a lack of security.[8]
The torch lighting ceremony took place on 17 July 1948 in
The ship dropped the torch off in
It was agreed for a secondary
Outside Greece, the cities and towns visited by the Olympic flame were the following ones:[10]
Nation | Cities and towns |
---|---|
Italy | Bari, Foggia, Pescara, Ancona, Rimini, Bologna, Parma, Piacenza, Milan, Domodossola, the Simplon Pass. |
Switzerland | Brig, Martigny, Montreux, Lausanne, Geneva, Perly. |
France | St. Julien en Genevois, Belgarde, Nantua, Lons-le-Saulnier, Poligny, Besancon, Vesoul, Epinal, Nancy, Metz, Thionville, Evrange. |
Luxembourg | Frisange, Esch, Luxembourg City, Ettelbruck, Wiltz. |
Belgium | Bras, Bastogne, Marche, Namur, Brussels, Renaix, Tournai, Hertain. |
France | Lille, Armentieres, St. Omer, Calais. |
England, United Kingdom | Dover, Canterbury, Charing, Maidstone, Westerham, Redhill, Reigate, Dorking, Guildford, Bagshot, Ascot, Windsor, Slough, Uxbridge, London. |
References
- Specific
- ^ "A gallery of memorable Olympic torch designs". CBBC Newsround. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
- ^ Nellas, Demetris (11 May 2012). "Olympic flame begins journey to London". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 15 May 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d e f g Heald, Claire (18 May 2011). "London 2012: The 1948 torch relay on a shoestring". BBC News. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
- ^ a b Official Report (1948): p. 209
- ^ a b c d e Official Report (1948): p. 210
- ^ Official Report (1948): p. 212
- ^ Official Report (1948): p. 22
- ^ a b c d e f g Official Report (1948): p. 217
- ^ Official Report (1948): p. 213
- OCLC 220789552. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- General
- "The Official Report of the Organising Committee for the XIV Olympiad" (PDF). The Organising Committee for the XIV Olympiad. 1948. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2012.