A PHOTOGRAPHER from Walthamstow who spent six years tracking down and interviewing British athletes who took part in the 1948 London Olympics has unveiled the results of her unique project.

Katherine Green, who previously drew praise for her photo documentary on dog racing at Walthamstow Stadium in 2008, spoke to 16 former Olympians about their experiences and thoughts on this summer's Games.

An exhibition of the photographs has now gone on display at Walthamstow's Tokarska Gallery in Forest Road, and Ms Green also hopes to publish a book on the subject.

She said: "It's been really lovely. It was a very long project but they all had some fascinating stories to tell.

"For many of them part of going to events like the Olympics was seeing the world. It gave them a taste for travel and they went on to do quite adventurous things.”

Ms Green travelled across the country to interview her subjects, who included Team GB swimming team captain Roy Romain, who originally came from Walthamstow.

She photographed him in 2007, three years before his death at the age of 92, after initially being commissioned to do so by Waltham Forest Council.

She added: "The athletes' opinions on London 2012 were a real mix, just like any cross-section of society.

"Some were really excited but others were quite concerned about the amount of money involved and the commercialisation.

"In 1948 they didn't have any of the type of recognition you would expect today, so it was really nice to listen to their stories and hear them relive their memories.”

The exhibition runs until Saturday July 21.

Ms Green is hoping to get her book published via “crowd-funded” website unbound.co.uk, where interested readers are asked to pledge they will buy the book. If enough interest is received the book will get published.

Visit www.katheringreen.co.uk for more information.

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