The 1908 London Olympics | BFI National Archive

A specially compiled selection of extracts from surviving footage of Track & Field and Marathon events during London’s first ever stint as host city. The 1908 Olympics had been awarded to Rome, but due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in April 1906 London was selected as an alternative. Twenty-two nations competed in 110 events, opening on 27th April and closing on 31st October. Track & Field events, held at the specially built White City stadium, were captured in the first part of this film, which ill