London has just completed its Olympic stadium. It seats 68,000, has a diving pool in its centre and a cycle track around its perimeter. Built by George Wimpey, it cost £60,000 ($119,670). That was exactly a century ago.

The 1908 games had been destined for Italy but the eruption of Vesuvius in 1906 forced the government to divert funds to rebuilding. Opportunistic London stepped in and the glamorous-sounding White City was born.