©IOC

The London Olympic Games were the first to be held after 12 years of interruption due to the Second World War. For that reason, in a Europe that was having difficulty healing its war wounds, the message of peace conveyed by this Relay was particularly welcome. Furthermore, the route chosen, which passed through Greece, Italy, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Belgium, covered regions that had been greatly affected by the conflict, and highlighted the crossing of borders, where celebrations were held.