The Los Angeles Times sponsored four annual marathons prior to the Olympic Games. Held in June, the 26-mile, 385-yard race was run through the streets of downtown and out through the “suburbs” of the Wilshire District, In 1931 the marathon winner was Fred Ward of the Millrose Athletic Club, New York.

In January, 1932 the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena featured “Nations and Games in Flowers.”

Funds were provided by the City of Los Angeles for the streets to be gaily decorated with Olympic flags and banners. Spring and Fifth Streets is shown here in its Olympic regalia.

Trucks arrive at the barren hilltop with sections of housing to be constructed into Olympic cottages.

The elegant diploma designed by H. M. Kurtzworth, Art Curator of the Los Angeles Museum, was inspired by the classic art found in examples of vase painting in the museum. The diplomas were given to contestants winning in the first three places, to members of the National Organization Committee and to officials.

The marching-out of the flags accompanied the Olympic Chorus and the audience at the closing ceremony as they sang “Aloha - Farewell to Thee.” As the flame died down on the Olympic Torch, there words appeared upon the peristyle: “May the Olympic Torch pursue its way.”