Political Defection
London was the first Olympics to have a political defection. Marie Provaznikova the 57-year old Czechoslovakian President of the International Gymnastics Federation refused to return home, citing "lack of freedom" after the Czech coup in February led to the country's inclusion in the Soviet Bloc.
Read more about this topic: 1948 Summer Olympics
Famous quotes containing the words political and/or defection:
“The political arena leaves one no alternative, one must either be a dunce or a rogue.”
—Emma Goldman (1869–1940)
“The most dangerous follower is the one whose defection would destroy the whole party: hence, the best follower.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)