Athletics at the 1948 London Summer Games:

Italy’s Adolfo Consolini held the world record from 1941-46 and was the 1946 European Champion. He was the favorite in London, with his teammate, Giuseppe Tosi, runner-up at the 1946 Europeans, thought to be his biggest challenger. They did not disappoint, winning the gold and silver medals. Tosi led with his best mark in round one, 51.78 (169-10¾), while Consolini moved ahead of him in the second round to settle the gold medal. America’s Fortune Gordien was AAU Champion in 1947-48 and won the 1948 US Olympic Trials. His bronze medal meant that the top three throwers on the year list finished in that order at the Olympics.