Archive: 1948 Olympic Town in Richmond Park

The 2012 Games will be the first to be hosted in London since 1948.

With the UK still feeling the effects of World War II, there was an economic climate of austerity.

The provision of accommodation for Olympic competitors was a politically sensitive issue.

Britain had to balance providing an adequate level of comfort for its guests with the pressure to rebuild housing for that part of its population left homeless by the war.

As this report from the BBC Television Service shows, the solution included converting and updating a former military convalescent camp in Richmond Park to provide housing for 1,500 Olympic visitors.

First broadcast 4 June 1948.