Are you ready for the 2012 Summer Olympics to start? We sure are! Hopefully, this document will help hold you over until the opening ceremony starts tonight!
A year before the 1948 Summer Olympics, which happens to be when London last hosted the Olympics, the House and Senate passed H.R. 2276 at the recommendation of the Secretary of War. This bill authorized members of the military to participate in the games, and for the payment of, with certain limitations, training and attendance. The House first passed the bill on June 2, 1947 by a voice vote. The Senate amended the bill to include all branches of the military (not just the Army, as passed by the House). The House then agreed to the Senate changes on June 25. President Harry Truman signed the bill into law on July 1. The US went on to win 84 medals, the most at the games, with athletes competing in 19 different sports.
Senate amendments to HR 2276, June 3, 1947, Sen 80A-C2, Records of the U.S. Senate
