Gymnstics Olympics "LONDON 1948"

"The Svenska Gymnastikforbundet of Stockholm staged a demonstration of Swedish
gymnastics by 200 female and 200 male gymnasts. The object was to illustrate how the
voluntary gymnastics of Sweden during the last decades has developed into a great national
movement for the promotion of health, beauty, strength and happiness. This style of
gymnastics was developed by P. H. Ling about 150 years ago and has a following all
over the world.

As the number of persons to carry out the demonstration was so large, the Organising
Committee came to a special arrangement with the Svenska Gymnastikforbundet, who
agreed to undertake all the catering and domestic arrangements for their gymnasts, the
Organising Committee providing accommodation and necessary furnishings. A nominal
rate was charged to the Swedes for their food. The Swedish party included their own
domestic staff and so enthusiastic were they over this demonstration that the gymnasts
themselves not only gave of their services, but defrayed the cost of the journey to London
out of their own pockets. They were treated as competitors, being issued with identity
cards, commemorative medals, etc.

Two displays were given, one on Saturday, August 7, immediately preceding the start
of the Marathon race and one on Friday, August 13, preceding the Football Final.
No words can express adequately the beauty and poetry of the motion of these gymnasts
and probably the only regret that any spectator had was when the demonstration ended.
The rhythm and precision with which the free exercises were carried out in the Empire
Stadium, with only one rehearsal there, is adequate proof, not only of the training and
ability of the gymnasts under their manager, Mr. Agne Holmstrom, but that this form of
physical exercise binds together those who perform it into a cohesive whole."

Official Report of the XIV OLYMPIAD LONDON 1948

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[ozwunder69]

@JanetteHeffernan the nazis had steroids in 1936

[Comilarapa]

@JenniferACH Sharing? :3c

[Comilarapa]

@dappylu It's says up there ^

[Comilarapa]

Mute this video and play Nyan Cat in the background.

NOW.

[kungfufreak5]

hahaa this looks like cheerleading

[dappylu]

What is the tune being played?

[JenniferACH]

Wonderful, thatnk you for posting and charing.

[JanetteHeffernan]

Thank you for posting this video and the excellent info. I was five but was taken to many events but unfortunately not this one. The Games were badly attended as can been seen if you look at the stands. It did rain rather a lot! What wonderful footage. These Games just after the war were so special, simple and unforgettable! No drugs, no excess just a great feeling of having lived through hell