London is gearing up for as many as a million extra visitors during the three week Olympic time period. Hotels are marking their rooms up to such a degree that it might seem like their taking travelers' shirts off their very backs. Luckily for nudists, this isn't a problem.
A nice diversion from the jersey-clad crowds will be visiting a British naturist resort or club. (Brits say the word "naturist" instead of the American "nudist.") And England has many naturist locations close to London. Many have indoor pools as the weather there can be quite unpredictable. And the British do love their gardens and being outside. So these are all beautiful locations. English naturists are some of the nicest people you will meet. They are very hospitable and love meeting fellow nude sunbathers (or first timers) from around the world.
The Naturist Foundation sits inside the M25 London Orbital motorway while the Diogenes Naturist Club is closer to Heathrow and The White House Club is a 45 minute train ride from central London.
For those who want to go for the gold at a naturist Olympic event and compete in the games dressed like the original Greeks, wearing only your suntan, there is the Young British Naturists Olympic Event being held August 8th to 12th. They'll have many running and swimming events. On Saturday night, there's a dance with a live band and a fun naked party to celebrate the winners.
In fact, the controversy surrounding Ralph Lauren's decision to have the American team's uniforms manufactured in China, gives U.S. nationals an entirely reasonable excuse to get naked during the games.
For what it's worth, so does history.
In the ancient days, the Olympians performed nude because doing so was considered a tribute to the gods. Contestants wanted their deities to see how well they had developed their bodies and spirit. In fact, the first Olympic race, was run by a cook named Coroebus, meaning the traditions of athletic achievement and naked chefdom dovetail.
As Mark Twain put it: "Not all the Greek Runners in the Original Olympics were totally naked. Some wore shoes."