Flashing Blades

Tricky weather conditions cause some spills in the downhill and ski jumping at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St Moritz.

John Bailey provides the lyrical commentary in this charming newsfilm of the 1948 St Moritz Winter Olympics, covering the action from the slopes, the ice rink and the Cresta Run. Of particular British interest are the scenes of John Crammond starting his run in skeleton bob. Great Britain brought a team of 55, competing in six sports and winning two bronze medals - one of which was snagged by Crammond.

The ice hockey match took place despite a row involving two amateur teams from the USA - Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), endorsed by the US Olympic Committee and Amateur Hockey Association (AHA), endorsed by the Ligue Internationale de Hockey Sur Glace). The AAU were allowed to march at the opening ceremony and the AHA to play unofficially. The dispute was resolved on 6 February when, after all matches had been played, the IOC announced that the ice hockey tournament should count as an Olympic event and medals be awarded - with the exception that the AHA team be outside the competition.