AS the Olympics get closer, a Huddersfield woman has recalled the games of 1948.

And with good reason as Lindley pensioner Doris Stump’s husband Arthur organised the cycling events.

The keen cyclist returned from his service as a bombardier in Normandy in World War Two, to be tasked with organising the cycle events for the 1948 London Olympics.

Doris said: “Arthur was mad about cycling.

“Having lived in Essex, he used to cycle in to London for work.

“As part of the Becontree Wheelers, he was asked to organise the cycling events in Royal Windsor Park in 1948.

“Now he would have been delighted to see the Olympics return to the UK and see how well the nation’s cyclists are doing.

“It has really made a comeback and Arthur would have been very proud.

“It is being held near where he grew up too.”

Arthur died nearly eight years ago aged 82, but his widow Doris has revealed a large collection of memorabilia which dates back 64 years.

Her collection includes a steward’s arm band, a photograph of world champion cyclist Reg Harris – who was voted BBC’s sports personality of the year twice – and a postcard from the event.

She continued: “My husband and Reg knew each other well.

“They had both served in the war and both shared a love of cycling.

“Reg had been in a tank in North Africa which was blown up and he was the only man who survived.

“He was discharged for being medically unfit but went on to win two silver medals and said he had never felt better.”

Reg Harris won the world amateur sprint title in 1947, two Olympic silver medals in 1948, and the professional title in 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1954.

He also surprised many with a comeback more than 20 years later, winning a British title in 1974 at the age of 54.

Fallowfield velodrome in Manchester was renamed the Reg Harris Stadium in his honour.

Doris described her husband’s dedication to the sport: “Arthur would cycle to the track at Herne Hill before 9.30am to make sure the races were ready to go.

“As he lived in Essex, it was a very long way but that was him, he just loved cycling.

“Arthur, who was a racing man himself, organised two road races and four track for the Olympics.

“And although it was during the austerity years, they organised a fantastic event”.

Doris herself was also involved in marshalling at cycling events.

She handed out water to passing road racers during the 50s and accompanied her husband on lots of his races including the Essex grass track champions.

Freelance writer Doris, moved to Huddersfield recently to be closer to her eldest son Jeffrey who lives in the area.