1948 Olympics: British teams announced

With only three weeks to go before the opening of the 1948 Olympic Games, the British athletic teams were announced on 7 July. In the report below, the Manchester Guardian admits it is unlikely that the British teams have a chance of winning. However, it is also pointed out that 'it takes at least four years to pick and train an Olympic team satisfactorily' and the selectors no doubt had an eye on the 1952 Games. E McDonald Bailey, pictured above, was not named in the athletics team, but the sprinter's wish to run for great Britain, rather than his native Trinidad, was granted a few days later. McDonald Bailey did not win any medals at the 1948 Olympics - but he did go on to win the 100m bronze for Great Britain at Helsinki four years later. In December 2000, Frank Keating , on McDonald Bailey's 80th birthday, recalled his memories and meetings with the sprinter. Click here to read his article.