Shortly before the London Olympics of 1948, Roger Bannister decided he wasn't quite ready for such heady competition and declined a chance to try out for the British track team.
Don't think for a Piccadilly minute, however, the great runner didn't play a key role in the ad hoc, bare-bones, post-war “Austerity Games” that were nothing if not a testament to the mustn't-grumble, keep-calm-and-muddle-through British spirit.
Bannister was appointed aide to the head of the British team. Basically, he was a gofer. Until, that is, the Opening Ceremonies of the uncharacteristically scorching afternoon of July 29, 1948.
For the opening, the plan was for a car carrying the flags of all competing nations to drive past the line of assembled teams and dispense the banners just before they marched into Wembley Stadium.
Even so, Sir Roger noticed, as he was leaving the office with the commandant, an old Union Jack rolled up in the corner. He suggested “we should take it with us, just in case.”
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