{related_entries id="evnt_auth_1"} {/related_entries}

When the Olympics came to London in 1948, post-war Britain was in an economic crisis far worse than today. Blending Heath Robinson improvisation with the spirit of Ealing Comedy, competitors brought their own towels, slept in schools and travelled by Underground. Despite food rationing and terrible weather, great Olympians such as Emil Zatopek and Fanny Blankers-Koen attracted cheering Londoners to Wembley Stadium.

Janie Hampton’s meticulous research brings the era of ‘Make-do and Mend’ to life with songs, anecdotes and original artefacts.  The Austerity Olympics was shortlisted for the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year and was described by Peter Kemp of The Sunday Times as ‘incredibly heartening….absolutely fascinating.’

Bert and Dickie, a film starring Matt Smith based on this book, is the BBC’s contribution to the Cultural Olympiad.