Ralph S. Lavers

Great Britain
Great Britain
Games Participations1
First Olympic GamesLondon 1948

Biography

The 1948 London games, known as “the austere games,” were the first to follow World War II, and much of London was still in ruins, with rationing still in place. The lighting of the flame by a torchbearer at the Opening Ceremony marks the start of the Olympic Games. The torches are carried by amateur athletes who each complete a leg bearing the flame on its journey from Olympia in Greece to the Olympic site. A recently acquired Olympic Torch from the 1948 Games was also part of the arts exhibit, which is thought to have been used on the Belgium leg of its trip across Europe. The British Olympic Committee chose architect Ralph Lavers, an expert in classical architecture and archaeology, to design a functional torch representing British craftsmanship at its best. It was made from aluminum and perforated steel, to showcase British craftsmanship.

Olympic Results

Athlete Olympic Results Content

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