Olympic cyclists from 1948 London games invited for 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.

As one of the few surviving venues from the London Olympics in 1948, the velodrome in Burbage Road is hosting the inaugural South London Grand Prix on July 20.

The race will bring GB riders and families from the 1948 Olympics to watch some of the sport’s top riders and young cycling stars.

The race meeting over two days is the first international Union Cycliste Internationale race held at the velodrome since 2014.

It will feature riders from across Great Britain, the European continent, and even as far as New Zealand including Commonwealth Games champions and European Championship medallists.

To celebrate the 1948 Olympics, in which Great Britain won five medals in cycling events, a commemorative plaque will also be unveiled.

The South London velodrome is the third oldest in the world with a rich history of hosting international racing.

The velodrome continues to nurture some of the 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 close to 50,000 people using the velodrome every year, from children as young as two, the 1948 venue is still 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 want to make the thrill of watching live sport accessible and affordable so that as many people as possible can come along. Our aim is to inspire the young riders already using the velodrome to see how good they can be and to attract new riders of all ages to give cycling a go themselves.

“We wanted to celebrate the 1948 Olympics. It helped set the tone for cycling in the UK and at the velodrome.

“The ‘Austerity Games’ helped kick start a legacy of volunteers from the local community coming together to pull off something amazing which still continues at the velodrome today. We are reaching out to the riders who took part and their families to come and celebrate with us.“

Through support from British Cycling, Team GB and historian Chris Sidwells, Herne Hill Velodrome has invited the three surviving Olympic cyclists from the 1948 games and continues to reach and invite families of the deceased riders and management to the event.

The three were reserves cyclists at the games and will be presented with a memento of the 1948 Olympics.

Pictured top: Cyclist Ethan Hayter at a homecoming party at Herne Hill velodrome after returning from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games where he won silver (Picture: PA)