The White City Stadium during the 1908 Summer Olympics

Team captains shake hands after a Canada-United States football game at White City Stadium, 14 February 1944

White City Stadium, (originally known as The Great Stadium) was built in White City, London, England for the 1908 Summer Olympics. Completed in just 10 months by George Wimpey, it was officially opened by King Edward VII on 27 April 1908. The cost of construction was GB£60,000. ^[1]Upon completion, the stadium had a running track that was 24ft wide and a distance equivalent of three laps to the mile; outside it was a 35ft wide, 660yd long cycle track. The original running track continued to be used for athletics until 1914. There were attempts to sell the stadium in 1922, but several of the athletes in the team for the 1924 Summer Olympics used it as a training base. Many of the events of the 1908 Olympics were hosted at the stadium itself (except for several football games hosted at Shepherds Bush Green), where as nowadays there are many purpose built arenas. Events such as archery[1] and gymnastics took place at White City, while some others took place at Queens Club. The stadium was constructed to seat 68,000, which was built in very short time, for the Franco-British Exhibition and was considered by many to be a technological marvel for the time. It is viewed as the first modern-seater stadium built, but could hold over 110,000 at its peak, with large swathes of terracing. For other uses, see Tennis (disambiguation). ... For the football stadium in London, see White City Stadium. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (970x270, 79 KB) White City Stadium on July 24, 1908. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (970x270, 79 KB) White City Stadium on July 24, 1908. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... White City is a place in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in London in England. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IV Olympiad, were held in 1908 in London, England. ... George Wimpey Limited (formerly George Wimpey Plc) is one of the UKs largest housebuilders with corporate headquarters in London England and UK operational headquarters in High Wycombe since 2001. ... Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death on 6 May 1910. ... April 27 is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 248 days remaining. ... 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... “GBP” redirects here. ... Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Games of the VIII Olympiad were held in 1924 in Paris, France. ... (Redirected from 1908 Olympics) The Games of the IV Olympiad, originally scheduled to be held in Rome, were instead held in 1908 in London, England. ... Shepherds Bush is a district in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham situated 4. ... The Queens Club Championships is a grass-court tennis tournament for mens singles and doubles held on an annual basis in the week after the French Open, as a warm-up event for Wimbledon. ... The Franco-British Exhibition (1908) was held in area now called White City. ...

From 1927, the track was grassed over to be used for greyhound racing and speedway, while in 1931, a new 440yd running track was installed for the Amateur Athletic Association Championships, which were held there from 1932 to 1970. Also in 1931, Queens Park Rangers began the first of two spells playing at the stadium[2], until 1933 (the second spell was from 1962-63). QPR eventually decided against a permanent move to White City and instead stayed at Loftus Road. The 1934 British Empire Games were held at the venue. Year 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Several greyhounds before a race. ... Motorcycle speedway, normally referred to as Speedway, is a motorcycle sport that involves usually 4 and sometimes up to 6 riders competing over 4 laps of an oval circuit. ... Year 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Amateur Athletic Association of England (formerly simply the Amateur Athletic Association) or AAA (pronounced three As) is the oldest athletics organization in the UK, having been established in 1880. ... Year 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1932 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1970 ([[Rf 1970 == January 1 - The Unix epoch begins at 00:00:00 UTC January 2 - The last studio performance of The Beatles oman numerals|MCMLXX]]) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English football club, from Shepherds Bush in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in West London. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Loftus Road is a side-street in Shepherds Bush London W12. ... Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport event held every four years involving the elite athletes of The Commonwealth. ...

The position of the finish line is commemorated by a marker in the plaza that now stands there - this is part of the reason that the distance of the Marathon is 26 miles 385 yards. The medal table for the 1908 Summer Olympics is also listed on a nearby building wall. Intended visitors should be warned that photographing either of these is not permitted without prior permission. Modern day marathon runners The word marathon refers to a long-distance road running event of 42. ... The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IV Olympiad, were held in 1908 in London, England. ...

In 1933, Wigan Highfield, a rather unsuccessful rugby league side nearly became bankrupt. However, the White City Company, owners of the stadium decided to move the club to White City. Previously, only rugby union had been popular in southern England and amateur rugby league being the preserve of the northern industrial towns. Wigan Highfield became London Highfield with their debts paid off. Their first ever try scored by George "Porky" Davies, who went on to play for Liverpool Stanley and then St Helens from 1938 - 1947. The White City Company lost money on the venture and decided not to continue with rugby league. London Highfield were arguably the precursors to Harlequins Rugby League, another rugby league side in London. Wally Lewis passing the ball in Rugby League State of Origin. ... White City may be: In the United Kingdom: White City, London In Canada: White City, Saskatchewan In the United States: White City, Florida White City, Kansas White City, Illinois White City, Oregon White City, Utah And also; Tel Aviv; The White City is a nickname for this city in Israel... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... Wally Lewis passing the ball in Rugby League State of Origin. ... Liverpool City were a professional rugby league team from the city of Liverpool in England. ... St Helens Rugby League Football Club or simply Saints are a professional rugby league club from St Helens, England. ... Harlequins Rugby League is a rugby league club representing the greater London area. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...

The stadium features in the climax to the 1950 film The Blue Lamp. It also appears in an episode – named 'Man From the Dead' – of 1960s television spy series Man in a Suitcase, and was used in the 1973 film, Steptoe and Son Ride Again. In 1966, Wembley's owner's refusal to cancel its regular greyhound racing meant that the match between Uruguay and France in the 1966 FIFA World Cup was played at White City. The Blue Lamp is a British crime film released in early 1950 by Ealing Studios. ... Man in a Suitcase was a 1967 television series produced by Lew Grades ITC Entertainment. ... Steptoe and Son Ride Again is the 1973 sequel to the 1972 film Steptoe and Son. ... Wembley Stadium was a football stadium located in Wembley, London. ... Qualifying countries The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from July 11 to July 30. ...

From 1976 until 1978, the stadium was home to the White City Rebels speedway team.^[2] The White City were a motorcycle speedway team who operated from the White City Stadium, Wood Lane in London. ... Motorcycle speedway, normally referred to as Speedway, is a motorcycle sport that involves usually 4 and sometimes up to 6 riders competing over 4 laps of an oval circuit. ...

The stadium was demolished in 1985 to make way for a new building, BBC White City. This article is about the year. ... BBC White City, main entrance BBC White City on a foggy day BBC White City refers both to a collection of BBC buildings at Wood Lane, White City in west London, and an office building within that collection of buildings. ...

The Pogues made a song about the stadium and its demolition, called White City for obvious reasons. It can be found on their 1989 album Peace and Love. The Pogues are a band of mixed Irish and English background, playing traditional Irish folk with influences from the English punk rock movement. ... The introduction of this article does not provide enough context for readers unfamiliar with the subject. ...

Possible new stadium

In the first years of the 21st century there were rumours that a new 40,000 seater stadium might be built in the White City area, possibly for Fulham alone or to share with QPR. This would have been near to White City tube station. As of 2005 this is not expected to proceed. However, due to QPR's recent injetion of cash and their ambition to become a Premier League club, a new 30,000+ stadium is slated to be built in the White City area. Fulham Football Club are an English football team based in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. ... Queens Park Rangers are an English football team, from Shepherds Bush, London. ... White City tube station is a station of the London Underground on the Central Line, which lies just a short distance north of the disused Wood Lane tube station. ... Queens Park Rangers are an English football team, from Shepherds Bush, London. ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 83rd day of the year (84th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• White City Stadium Images and information about the stadium
• Photo of the White City stadium during the 1908 Games
• White City Stadium and BBC radio
• Science and Society Picture Library - Aerial view of White City stadium and the surrounding exhibition halls, 1928
• Map sources for White City Stadium

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