London - originally earmarked for the 1944 Games - staged the first Olympiad after the War.

A record 59 countries attended, but Japan and Germany were not invited and the Soviet Union were missing as they wer not affiliated to the IOC.

Costs determined there was no Olympic village built, and competitors were instead housed in military barracks and colleges around the capital.

With rationing also in place, many teams had to bring their own food.

Athletics events were staged at Wembley Stadium, and the undoubted star of the Games was Dutch athlete Fanny Blankers-Koen.

Nicknamed the 'Flying Housewife', the mother-of-two won four gold medals for her running - in the 100m, 200m, 80m hurdles and relay.

But rules restricted women from competing in more than three individual events, so she missed out on the high and long jumps, disciplines where she held the world records.

Meanwehile, gymnast Veikko Huhtanen thrived for Finland, claiming three golds, one silver and a bronze.

The United States once again topped the medal table with Sweden and France their nearest rivals.