Internet resources: London’s Olympic history comes to life

A new website called “Winning Endeavours” launched by archives of London jointly with the British Library, brings to life archives of rare photographs, newspaper articles, documents and ephemera of London’s Olympic past.

Over 1,700 images of London’s previous Olympic Games in 1908 and 1948, together with British Olympians and Paralympians throughout history, can be seen for the first time on a new website http://www.winningendeavours.org/. The website includes many unseen images that have been taken from archival documents, newspapers, journals and ephemera currently in the care of the British Library, London Metropolitan Archives and 23 other archival repositories in London and the South East of England.

Researchers, sports enthusiasts and the general public can see unique aspects of the first Olympics to be hosted by London in 1908; of the ‘Austerity Games' of 1948, hosted by London in the years of rationing after World War II; of other Olympic Games which London has been involved with, and the participation of London athletes in sport in London outside the Olympic Games all on the Winning Endeavours website.

Unique items that can be seen include: photographs and souvenirs of the marathon from the 1908 games; programmes dating from 15 July 1908; a special Olympics Edition of the Picture Post from 14 August 1948 and photos of paralympians taking part in archery competitions, all providing a distinctive insight into the history of the Olympics in London and the South East.

An important element of the website is the inclusion of contextual notes for many of the subjects represented on the site, giving useful background stories. These appear at the bottom of each item where relevant, and historical information about the 1908 and 1948 Olympics also appear on the site.