1948 OLYMPICS - LONDON

Opening date: 29 July 1948 Closing date: 14 August 1948 After a 12-year break due to World War II, the Games return triumphantly to London. Rising to the challenge The Olympic Games had not been held in either 1940 or 1944 due to World War II, and London was called upon at short notice to host them. Despite shortages of essential products due to rationing, the city rose magnificently to the challenge - a true victory over dark times. Innovation and progress The London Games were the first to be shown on home television, although very few people in Great Britain actually owned sets. Starting blocks for athletes in sprint races were introduced for the first time, and the Empire Pool was the first covered Olympic pool to be used at the Games. Memorable performances Seventeen-year-old American Bob Mathias won the decathlon only four months after taking up the sport. He remains the youngest athlete in Olympic history to win a men’s athletics event. The dominant woman of the Games was sprinter Fanny Blankers-Koen of the Netherlands. She entered four sprint events and won all four. Overcoming adversity Karoly Takacs was a member of the Hungarian world champion pistol shooting team in 1938 when a grenade shattered his right hand - his pistol hand. Takacs taught himself to shoot with his left hand and, 10 years later, he won an Olympic gold medal in the rapid-fire pistol event. NOCs 59 Athletes 4,104 (390 women, 3,714 men) Events 136 Volunteers n/a Media n/a Events Artistic Gymnastics Athletics Basketball Boxing Canoe / Kayak Flatwater Cycling Road Cycling Track Diving Equestrian / Dressage Equestrian / Eventing Equestrian / Jumping Fencing Football Hockey Modern Pentathlon Rowing Sailing Shooting Water polo Weightlifting Wrestling Freestyle Wrestling Greco-Roman Participation Many countries, including Burma, Ceylon, Lebanon, Puerto Rico, Syria and Venezuela, were represented for the first time. On the other hand, there were no athletes from Japan, Germany or the USSR. Innovation in athletics Introduction of blocks to facilitate the start for athletes in sprint races (100m to 400m). Recognition Diplomas awarded to the first six athletes. Swimming under cover The Empire Pool was the first covered Olympic pool in history. Located not far from Wembley, it could house 8,000 spectators. As its length exceeded the regulatory 50m for an Olympic pool, a wooden platform was constructed to shorten it and to house the judges and officials. Ceremonies London, Wembley Stadium, 29 July 1948, Opening Ceremony: last torch-bearer John Mark passing the Tribune of Honour, is applauded by members of the Organising Committee. Official opening of the Games by: His Majesty King George VI Lighting the Olympic Flame by: John Mark (athletics) Olympic Oath by: Donald Finlay (athletics) Official Oath by: The officials' oath at an Olympic Summer Games was first sworn in 1972 in Munich. Olympic medallists Fanny Blankers-Koen Veikko Huhtanen Paavo Johannes Aaltonen James Price Jr. Mclane Ann Elisabeth Curtis Above and beyond Fanny BLANKERS-KOEN In 1999, Fanny Blankers-Koen was voted Female Athlete of the Century, thanks largely to her four gold medals at the 1948 London Games.

HOLY WEEK IN SPAIN

I am sure many of you will have watched the processions during Holy Week and wondered what the Spanish names are for some of the elements of the parades. Below are just some that I have discovered.
ANTIFAZ
The hood worn by some members of the procession. Penitentes wear just the Antifaz. Nazarenos wear both the Antifaz and the Capirote.
BANDA DE MÚSICA
The band that accompanies the processions.
CAPATAZ
Person who directs the Costaleros who carry the Paso.
CAPIROTE
Pointed or cone shaped hood worn by the Nazarenos which symbolises repentance and grief.
COSTALEROS
Persons carrying the Paso.
CIRIALES
Members of the procession dressed like priests carrying silver staffs with candles.
CIRIOS
Very long candles carried by Nazarenos.
CRUZ DE GUĺA
Cross carried in front of the procession of Nazarenos.
HERMANDAD
Is the brotherhood or members of a church who take part in the procession.
HERMANOS
Members of the Hermandad.
IMAGEN
Sculpture, typically of Christ or the Virgin Mary.
INCIENSO/INCENSARIO
Incense burned in metal containers (Incensario) hung from a rope or chain and swung about to disperse the scent.
LA MADRUGÁ
Starting late Thursday night/Friday morning. This is a series of processions which can run all through the night until the following morning.
MONAGUILLOS
Children dressed like Ciriales (Priests).
NAZARENO
Member of the Hermandad (brotherhood) dressed in a robe and a cone shaped hood to hide their identity. Colours of robes and hoods depend on the procession.
PALIO
Canopy supported by poles, or Varales which covers the image of the Virgin Mary.
PASO
Float with the Virgin Mary or Christ, decorated with candles and flowers.
SAETA
A serenade sung by one person to the imagen of the Virgin Mary. The Paso stops during the singing.
TÚNICA
Tunic or robe worn by the Nazarenos.
VARALES
Silver or gold poles supporting the canopy/Palio which covers the image of the Virgin Mary.