life: Who’s excited for the London Olympics? We are. It’s not the first time London has hosted the Olympic games. In 1948, three short years after the end of the Second World War, London hosted the Olympics while much of Europe was still rebuilding after the devastation of war. See photos from the 1948 Olympics here. Not originally published in LIFE. American pole vaulter Guinn Smith attempts (unsuccessfully) to break world record, London, 1948. Pole vaulters were expected to land in that tiny little sand pit? How many broken limbs before they found something better? I am worried about American pole vaulter Guinn Smith, you guys.

life:

Who’s excited for the London Olympics? We are.

It’s not the first time London has hosted the Olympic games. In 1948, three short years after the end of the Second World War, London hosted the Olympics while much of Europe was still rebuilding after the devastation of war.

See photos from the 1948 Olympics here.

Not originally published in LIFE. American pole vaulter Guinn Smith attempts (unsuccessfully) to break world record, London, 1948.

Pole vaulters were expected to land in that tiny little sand pit? How many broken limbs before they found something better? I am worried about American pole vaulter Guinn Smith, you guys.