1948 Olympics: Day 5: Olympic cyclist warned

In 1948 - much like in 2012 - one of Britain's greatest medal hopes was a cyclist. Reg Harris, who had won the world amateur sprint title in 1947, was widely expected to triumph at the London Games. However, a year of accidents in 1948 led to his training being disrupted; and his decision to train in Manchester, rather than Herne Hill, led to controversy. The Olympic Organising Committee was faced with the problem of letting the hugely popular medal hope compete in the Games, while also appearing not to lose face in disciplining him. Harris was called to Herne Hill to state his case, and was reinstalled in the Olympic team. The Manchester Guardian was sympathetic to Harris' case, stating that Manchester's 'smooth and sporting roadways [were] the joy of every discerning cyclist's heart.' Reg Harris went on to win two silver medals at the 1948 Games, including the 2,000m tandem cycle .