Queen marks 1908 London Olympics

The Queen has hosted a reception to mark the centenary of the 1908 London Olympic Games.

British sporting stars joined the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the event at Windsor Castle.

Gold medal winners were among guests at the black tie reception, including runners Dame Kelly Holmes and Lord Coe, and rower Sir Matthew Pinsent.

The 1908 Olympics were due to be held in Rome, but London stepped in when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 1906.

The volcano devastated the nearby city of Naples and Rome withdrew from the games.

The International Olympic Committee approached London to host the event and with less than two years to prepare the fledgling British Olympic Association (BOA) set to work.

At the Games gold, silver and bronze medals were formally awarded for the first time and British competitors won 56 golds.

Following the reception on Friday evening the Queen and duke left the Princess Royal - the BOA's president - to host a dinner for the guests.

Dame Kelly said: "It's great to celebrate the centenary of the 1908 Olympics, especially as we are now looking forward to our own Olympics.

"The fact that we are hosting the games is such an inspiration to people."

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1908 London Olympics
British Olympic Association
London 2012
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