1944 canceled Olympic Games
London was actually awarded the 1944 Games, but due to the ongoing war it was not held. The IOC still count these years as the Games of the XIII Olympiad, but with no Games.
The ballot to choose the host city was held in June 1939. Competing hosts were Rome, Detroit, Lausanne, Athens, Budapest, Helsinki, Montreal and London, with London, England, United Kingdom winning on the first ballot. The scheduled Games were canceled due to ongoing fighting in World War II. Because of the cancelation, London went on to host the 1948 Summer Olympics, awarded without an election.
Trivia
- Some Polish Prisoners of War were granted permission by their German captors to stage an unofficial POW Olympics during July 23 to August 13, 1944. An Olympic Flag was made with a bed sheet and pieces of colored scarves.
- These Games would have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the IOC. A small sporting competition was held in Lausanne at IOC headquarter to celebrate the milestone.
Related Pages
- About the 1948 Summer Olympics
- Complete list of Olympic host cities
- About the canceled 1944 Winter Olympics
- 1944: The Year in Sport
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