History records that the Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece nearly three thousand years ago, died out around 393 AD, and were triumphantly reborn in 1896, in the Greek capital of Athens. Rather less well known is how, during the intervening centuries, an assortment of British writers, romantics, sportsmen and visionaries helped nurture that revival. Indeed, as sports historian Dr Martin Polley argues in this, the 12th book in the acclaimed Played in Britain series, our nation's fascination with all things Olympian has played a pivotal role in shaping the Games as we know them today, culminating in London becoming in 2012 the first city ever to stage a third modern Olympiad. Consider, for example, that the first published use of the word `Olympian' in the English language dates from around 1590. Its author? William Shakespeare. And that the first games of the post-classical era to adopt the formal title `Olympick' took place in the Cotswolds village of Chipping Campden in 1612. It was an English traveller, Richard Chandler, who rediscovered the lost site of Olympia in 1766, and a Shropshire doctor, William Penny Brookes, who, in 1850, founded the Much Wenlock Olympian Games, an annual community festival that inspired Pierre de Coubertin to revive the Games at an international level. Other Olympic festivals surfaced in London (to celebrate Queen Victoria's accession), in Liverpool, and in the north-east town of Morpeth, while the words `Olympic' and `Olympian' became steadily more ingrained in the popular imagination throughout the Victorian era. Britain's Olympic heritage gained added momentum in the 20th century. At White City in 1908, London built the world's first modern, purpose-built Olympic stadium, while in 1948 London stepped in to save the Games by offering Wembley Stadium. Also in the late 1940s, at Stoke Mandeville hospital in Buckinghamshire, the modern Paralympics were born when sporting contests were organised for injured servicemen. Thus the 2012 Games represent the culmination of over four hundred years of British enthusiasm and ingenuity; an attachment that has left in its wake a trail of fascinating stories, characters, sites, buildings and artefacts. Leading the reader on a marathon journey, The British Olympics charts them all, making this a vital and entertaining source for anyone with an interest in the Games, in sport, and in the wider narrative of Britain's social and cultural heritage.

De Olympische Sierpnia in Pictures London 2012 Olympic Park, East London 5 Augustus. Een dag uit het leven van het Olympisch Park en het Olympisch Stadion waaronder heren 100 meter Olympisch Gouden Medaille, Usain Bolt 09,63 seconden. De Olympische Sierpnia in Pictures, Olympic Park, East London 5 Augustus 2012 bestaat uit 58 kleuren fotos met bijschriften zoals Usain Bolt in de mannen 100m finale, Australie v Canada vrouwen basketbal, iconische gebouwen, uitzicht over Londen van The Orbit, Games Helpers, Olympische en Paralympic waardeert in actie gezien... Vriendschappen, Respect, Excellence, Vastberadenheid, Inspiratie, Moed, Gelijkheid] en niet te vergeten de pure plezier, spanning en entertainment van dit alles De Olympic Park werd later omgedoopt tot 'The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park' aan het Diamanten Jubileum van Koningin Elizabeth II te herdenken.]

A day in the life of the Olympic Park and Olympic Stadium including Men's 100 metre Olympic Gold medal Usain Bolt 09.63 seconds. The Olympic Games in Pictures, Olympic Park, East London 5 August 2012 consists of 58 colour photographs with captions including Usain Bolt in Men's 100m final, Australia v Canada women's basketball, iconic buildings, views of London from The Orbit, Games Helpers, Olympic and Paralympic values seen in action...F.R.E.D.I.C.E. Friendships, Respect, Excellence, Determination, Inspiration, Courage, Equality] and not forgetting the sheer fun, excitement and entertainment of it all The Olympic Park was later re-named 'The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park' to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.] Romanian Edition]

The Olympic Games in Pictures London 2012 Olympic Park, East London 5 August The Olympic Park was later re-named "The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park" to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.] Japanese Edition]

In 1968, Mexico prepared to host the Olympic games amid growing civil unrest. The spectacular sports facilities and urban redevelopment projects built by the government in Mexico City mirrored the country's rapid but uneven modernization. In the same year, a street-savvy democratization movement led by students emerged in the city. Throughout the summer, the '68 Movement staged protests underscoring a widespread sense of political disenfranchisement. Just ten days before the Olympics began, nearly three hundred student protestors were massacred by the military in a plaza at the core of a new public housing complex. In spite of institutional denial and censorship, the 1968 massacre remains a touchstone in contemporary Mexican culture thanks to the public memory work of survivors and Mexico's leftist intelligentsia. In this highly original study of the afterlives of the '68 Movement, George F. Flaherty explores how urban spaces-material but also literary, photographic, and cinematic-became an archive of 1968, providing a framework for de facto modes of justice for years to come.

OL i bilder London 2012 Olympic Park East London 5 August En dag i livet til Olympic Park og Olympic Stadium Inkludert menn 100 meter OL-gull Usain Bolt 09,63 sekunder OL i bilder, bestar Olympic Park, East London den 5 August 2012 av 58 fargefotografier med bildetekster inkludert Usain Bolt i Menn 100m Finalen, Australia v Canada kvinners basketball, ikoniske bygninger, utsikt over London fra The Orbit, Spill Hjelpere, OL-og paralympiske verdier sett i aksjon... Vennskap, Respekt, Excellence, besluttsomhet, Inspirasjon, Courage, likestillings] og ikke glemme den ren moro, spenning og underholdning av det hele The Olympic Park ble senere omdopt 'The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park' til minne om Diamond Jubilee av Dronning Elizabeth II.]

Igrzyska Olimpijskie w Londynie 2012 Pictures Olympic Park, East London 05 Sierpnia Dzien w zyciu Olympic Park i Stadion Olimpijski w tym 100 mezczyzn metr Zloty medal Olimpijski Usain Bolt 09,63 sekundy. Igrzyska Olimpijskie w Zdjecia, Olympic Park, East London 05 Sierpnia 2012 sklada sie z 58 kolorowych fotografii z napisami w tym Usain Bolt na 100 m mezczyzn w finale, koszykowka Australia przeciwko Kanada kobiet, ikoniczne budynki, widoki Londynu z orbity, gry pomocnikow i Olympic wartosci Paraolimpijski zobaczyc w akcji... przyjaznie, respect, excellence, determinacja, inspiracja, odwaga, rownosc] i nie zapominajac o czystej zabawy, emocje i rozrywke w tym wszystkim Olympic Park zostal pozniej nazwanego "Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park" w celu upamietnienia diamentowy jubileusz krolowej Elzbiety II.] Polskie Wydanie]

Pictures London 2012ko Olinpiar Parke Olinpiar Jokoak du, East London Abuztuaren 5 Olinpiar Parkea zuten geroago berriro izeneko "The Queen Elizabeth Olinpiar Parkea" Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubileu ospatzeko.]

I Giochi Olimpici di Londra 2012 Immagini Olympic Park, East London 5 Agosto Il Parco Olimpico e stato poi ribattezzato "The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park" per commemorare il Giubileo di diamante della Regina Elisabetta II.] Edizione Italiana]

Os Olimpicos Xogos en Imaxes London 2012 Olympic Park East London 05 de Agosto. Un dia na vida do Parque Olimpico e Estadio Olimpico ata 100 metros medalla de ouro Olimpica masculina Usain Bolt 09,63 segundos. Os Olimpicos Xogos en Imaxes, Olympic Park, East London 05 de Agosto de 2012 esta composta por 58 fotografias de cores con etiquetas, incluindo Usain Bolt nos 100m finais Masculina, baloncesto Australia v Canada mulleres, edificios emblematicos, vistas de Londres desde a orbita, Xogos Helpers, Olympic e Paraolimpicos valora ver en accion... amizades, respecto, excelencia, determinacion, inspiracion, coraxe, igualdade] e non esquecendo a diversion pura, emocion e entretemento de todo isto O Parque Olimpico foi mais tarde re-nomeado 'The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park' para conmemorar o Xubileu de Diamante da Raina Isabel II.]

Na Cluichi Oilimpeacha i Londain 2012 Oilimpeacha Pairc Pictiuir East London 5 Lunasa. La i saol an Phairc Oilimpeacha agus Oilimpeacha Staidiam Lena n-airitear 100 meadar bonn oir Oilimpeach na bhFear Usain Bolt 09,63 soicind. Na Cluichi Oilimpeacha i Pictiuir, Pairc Oilimpeacha, East London 5 Lunasa, 2012 comhdheanta de 58 ghrianghraif daite le fotheidil lena n-airitear Usain Bolt i bhFear 100m deiridh, cispheil Astrail v Ceanada mban, foirgnimh ioconach, tuairimi Londain o An Orbit, Cluichi Cuntoiri, Oilimpeacha agus Is mor ag Para-Oilimpeacha feiceail i ngniomh... Cairdeas, Meas, Feabhais, Cinneadh, Inspioraid, Misneach, Comhionannais] agus gan dearmad a dheanamh ar an spraoi forsa, excitement agus siamsaiochta de go leir An Phairc Oilimpeacha a bhi ina dhiaidh sin ath - ainmnithe ' The Queen Elizabeth Phairc Oilimpeacha ' chun comoradh a dheanamh ar an Iubhaile Diamond na Banriona Eilis II.]

A day in the life of the Olympic Park and Olympic Stadium including Men's 100 metre Olympic Gold medal Usain Bolt 09.63 seconds. The Olympic Games in Pictures, Olympic Park, East London 5 August 2012 consists of 58 colour photographs with captions including Usain Bolt in Men's 100m final, Australia v Canada women's basketball, iconic buildings, views of London from The Orbit, Games Helpers, Olympic and Paralympic values seen in action...F.R.E.D.I.C.E. Friendships, Respect, Excellence, Determination, Inspiration, Courage, Equality] and not forgetting the sheer fun, excitement and entertainment of it all The Olympic Park was later re-named 'The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park' to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.] Javanese Edition]

The Olympic Games in Pictures London 2012 Olympic Park East London 5 August. A day in the life of the Olympic Park and Olympic Stadium Including Men's 100 metre Olympic Gold medal Usain Bolt 09.63 seconds. The Olympic Games in Pictures, Olympic Park, East London 5 August 2012 consists of 58 colour photographs with captions including Usain Bolt in Men's 100m final, Australia v Canada women's basketball, iconic buildings, views of London from The Orbit, Games Helpers, Olympic and Paralympic values seen in action...F.R.E.D.I.C.E. Friendships, Respect, Excellence, Determination, Inspiration, Courage, Equality] and not forgetting the sheer fun, excitement and entertainment of it all The Olympic Park was later re-named 'The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park' to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.] Russian Edition]

Los Juegos Olimpico s en Imagenes, el Parque Olimpico, East London 05 de Agosto 2012. El Parque Olimpico fue mas tarde rebautizada como "El Parque Queen Elizabeth Olimpico " para conmemorar el Jubileo de Diamante de la reina Isabel II.]

Os Jogos Olimpicos em Imagens, Olympic Park, East London 05 de Agosto de 2012. O Parque Olimpico foi mais tarde rebatizada de "A Rainha Elizabeth Olympic Park" para comemorar o Jubileu de Diamante da Rainha Elizabeth II.]

The Olympic Games in Pictures London 2012 Olympic Park, East London 5 August The Olympic Park was later re-named "The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park" to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.] Chinese Edition]

The 1936 Olympic Games played a key role in the development of both Hitler's Third Reich and international sporting competition. This volume gathers original essays by modern scholars from the Games' most prominent participating countries and lays out the issues--sporting as well as political--Surrounding individual nations' involvement. The Nazi Olympics opens with an analysis of Germany's preparations for the Games and the attempts by the Nazi regime to allay the international concerns about Hitler's racist ideals and expansionist ambitions. Essays follow on the United States, Great Britain, and France--three first-class Olympian nations with misgivings about participation--as well as German ally Italy and future ally Japan. Other essays examine the issues at stake in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands, which opposed Hitler's politics, despite embodying his Aryan ideal. Challenging the view of sport as a trivial pursuit, this collection reveals exactly how high the political stakes were in 1936 and how the Nazi Olympics distilled many of the critical geopolitical issues of the time into a contest that was anything but trivial.

Igrzyska Olimpijskie w Londynie 2012 Pictures Olympic Park, East London 05 Sierpnia Dzien w zyciu Olympic Park i Stadion Olimpijski w tym 100 mezczyzn metr Zloty medal Olimpijski Usain Bolt 09,63 sekundy. Igrzyska Olimpijskie w Zdjecia, Olympic Park, East London 05 Sierpnia 2012 sklada sie z 58 kolorowych fotografii z napisami w tym Usain Bolt na 100 m mezczyzn w finale, koszykowka Australia przeciwko Kanada kobiet, ikoniczne budynki, widoki Londynu z orbity, gry pomocnikow i Olympic wartosci Paraolimpijski zobaczyc w akcji... przyjaznie, respect, excellence, determinacja, inspiracja, odwaga, rownosc] i nie zapominajac o czystej zabawy, emocje i rozrywke w tym wszystkim Olympic Park zostal pozniej nazwanego "Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park" w celu upamietnienia diamentowy jubileusz krolowej Elzbiety II.] Polskie Wydanie] Full Colour Edition]

The Olympic Games in Pictures London 2012 Olympic Park, East London 5 August. A day in the life of the Olympic Park and Olympic Stadium including Men's 100 metre Olympic Gold medal Usain Bolt 09.63 seconds. The Olympic Games in Pictures, Olympic Park, East London 5 August 2012 consists of 58 colour photographs with captions including Usain Bolt in Men's 100m final, Australia v Canada women's basketball, iconic buildings, views of London from The Orbit, Games Helpers, Olympic and Paralympic values seen in action...F.R.E.D.I.C.E. Friendships, Respect, Excellence, Determination, Inspiration, Courage, Equality] and not forgetting the sheer fun, excitement and entertainment of it all The Olympic Park was later re-named 'The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park' to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.] Bengali Edition]

A day in the life of the Olympic Park and Olympic Stadium including Men's 100 metre Olympic Gold medal Usain Bolt 09.63 seconds. The Olympic Games in Pictures, Olympic Park, East London 5 August 2012 consists of 58 colour photographs with captions including Usain Bolt in Men's 100m final, Australia v Canada women's basketball, iconic buildings, views of London from The Orbit, Games Helpers, Olympic and Paralympic values seen in action...F.R.E.D.I.C.E. Friendships, Respect, Excellence, Determination, Inspiration, Courage, Equality] and not forgetting the sheer fun, excitement and entertainment of it all The Olympic Park was later re-named 'The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park' to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.] Bulgarian Edition]