1948 Olympic stars invited to Herne Hill for historic 75th anniversary race
Olympian cyclists and their families from the 1948 London Olympics are being invited to celebrate its 75th anniversary at Herne Hill Velodrome, on Thursday 20 July.
As the last remaining venue of the first London Olympics in 1948, Herne Hill Velodrome is hosting the inaugural South London Grand Prix. The race will bring together GB riders and families from the 1948 Olympics with the best young cycling stars from across the world. The race meeting over two days is the first UCI race since 2010 and will feature riders from GB, the European continent, South America, Africa, Scandinavia, among other regions.
The South London velodrome is the third oldest in the world after Milan and Roubaix, but it continues to nurture some of best riders in today’s world of cycling. Flora Perkins, Fred Wright, Thomas Gloag and Leo and Ethan Hayter are renowned talents racing at the highest level. But with over 20k people using the velodrome every year, from children as young as two, the 1948 venue is still deeply focused on community at all levels.
Iain Cook, the Velodrome Managing Director, wants the community to join in the celebration. He said: “This two-day race meeting gives the local community the perfect opportunity to see some of the world’s best young riders on their doorstep. We know this inspires children to get on a bike and be active. We want as many people to attend as possible.
“We wanted to celebrate the 1948 Olympics. With 2012, it’s almost as if we have forgotten 1948 happened. But it helped set the tone for cycling in the UK and gave us household names like Tommy Godwin. We have to celebrate it. We are reaching out via contacts to those riders and families. “
Thanks to the support of British Cycling, Team GB and historian Chris Sidwells, Herne Hill Velodrome has invited the three surviving Olympic cyclists and continue to reach and invite families of the deceased 1948 riders and management to the event. They will be presented with a memento of the 1948 Olympics on Thursday 20th July before the evening races.