English Olympics
England has hosted the Olympics twice before and will do so again in 2012.
The first time the Olympic games came to this country was in 1908
England also hosted the 1948 games, the first to be held following the Second World War. Wembley Stadium was the host for the 'austerity games' in a country still suffering the effects of 6 years of war.
A dutch woman named Fanny Blankers-Koen (nicknamed "The Flying Housewife") won four events at the games and became a global celebrity.
The preparations for 2012 Olympics have not been without controversy. Following repression in Tibet by China (host of the 2008 games) the ceremonial torch relay through London on 6th April 2008 was the scene of anti-chinese protests which included an attempt to douse the Olympic flame with a fire extinguisher and the torch being momentarily snatched from the hands of television presenter Connie Huq by a man shouting "free Tibet". “My taking part does not condone in any way what China is doing. A lot of the athletes feel the same way,” Ms Huq said.