London 2012 Documentary: First Past The Post

BBC Parliament will broadcast a documentary tonight entitled ‘First Past The Post’

The half-hour long programme tells the stories of members of Parliament who have run not just for political office, but also for Olympic glory.

Lord Coe is the MP-turned-peer who brought the Olympics to London in 2012 – but we discover the story of a century before, when another MP-turned-peer captured the 1908 Olympics for the capital, on the first of three occasions that London has hosted the games.

Former Liberal Democrat leader, and Olympic sprinter Sir Menzies Campbell shares his memories of the 1964 Tokyo Games – and his mother’s secret pre-race potion.

Former minister and TV broadcaster Sir Christopher Chataway talks of his Olympic experience and tales of running half-marathons against former Labour spin doctor Alistair Campbell, which continued well into his 70s.

And Lord Higgins shares his memories as a member of the British team the last time the Games came to London, for the ‘austerity Olympics’ of 1948.

First Past The Post – BBC Parliament – Tonight, 9pm.