The Austerity Olympics
Athletes who took part in the 1948 Olympic Games look back on the brief period of sporting triumph that flourished in the rubble of post-war London.
Although defeated Axis powers Japan and Germany were not allowed to send athletes to the 1948 Games, Italy (which had signed an armistice with the Allies in 1943) did compete. It came fifth in the results table with eight gold, 11 silver and eight bronze medals.
