The 1948 Austerity Games
For internal use only.
Who was involved?: John Emrys Lloyd OBE - Partner at Farrer & Co, four-time Olympic fencer and Honorary Legal Adviser to the British Olympic Association (BOA).
Background
In the aftermath of the Second World War, Britain faced severe economic constraints. Despite this, London was asked to host the 1948 Olympic Games – later known as the “Austerity Games”.
A small, unpaid group within the BOA was tasked with determining whether the Games could go ahead. The Organising Committee was chaired by Lord Burghley, the 1928 Olympic gold medallist - reputed to have practised his hurdling with champagne glasses balanced on the hurdles - and included figures such as Arthur Porritt, the New Zealand athlete who won bronze in the celebrated 100m race of the 1924 Games, later immortalised in Chariots of Fire.
Emrys Lloyd played a central role in that group, helping to shape both the decision to host the Games and the structure required to deliver them.
Farrer & Co's role
Emrys Lloyd led the legal work required to stage the Games, much of it on a pro bono basis. His contributions included:
- Structuring and establishing the Organising Committee as a separate legal entity
- Advising on governance and liability, including the use of a company limited by guarantee
- Drafting and negotiating a wide range of contracts with venues, suppliers and partners
- Leading on the landmark agreement with Wembley Stadium, which underpinned the financial viability of the Games
The firm’s fees for over a year’s work were limited to just two hundred guineas (£210), reflecting a significant contribution to the success of the Games.
A lasting impact
The organisational competition model developed by Emrys Lloyd for the 1948 Games became the template for future Olympic Games.
His work helped ensure the successful delivery of the first post-war Olympics at a time of significant national challenge.
Beyond the law
Emrys Lloyd was not only a legal adviser but also an Olympian:
- Competed in four Olympic Games (1932, 1936, 1948, 1952)
- Seven-time British fencing champion
- Carried the British flag at the 1948 Opening Ceremony
Uniquely, he both helped organise the Games and competed in them, finishing fourth in the fencing competition.
Continuing the legacy: The Austerity Games Exhibition 2012
The firm’s connection to the Olympic movement has continued in more recent years. In 2012, to coincide with the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, Farrer & Co hosted an exhibition celebrating its historic links to the Olympics.
Held in the River Rooms at 20–23 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, with displays mounted along the walls of the large reception space, the exhibition brought together archival material, legal papers and personal memorabilia (including Arthur Porritt's 1924 bronze medal). We displayed a number of legal papers and documents held by the firm alongside items kindly loaned by the Lloyd family, including the flag carried at the 1948 Opening Ceremony.
The museum standard exhibition was opened to clients and contacts of the firm, offering a rare insight into the legal and organisational work underpinning the 1948 Games, as well as Emrys Lloyd’s unique role as both adviser and Olympian. It formed part of a wider effort to reflect on the firm’s history and its contribution to significant national and international events.
Why it matters
The story of the 1948 Games reflects the firm’s long-standing involvement in major national and international events, combining legal expertise with public service.
Our work with sporting bodies and institutions continues today, building on this legacy of trusted advice and practical support at moments of significance.
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