LONDON - British Olympians who competed in London's 1948 Games will be given a free pair of tickets for next year's Olympics, the British Olympic Association (BOA) said on Monday.

Where possible, the tickets will be matched to the sport in which the Olympian competed 64 years before.

A BOA spokesman said around 125 of the British athletes who competed at those 'Austerity Games', the first after World War Two and held at a time of rationing in a bomb-scarred city, were believed to be still alive.

"Having been a competitor over 60 years ago it will be truly wonderful to attend the Games as a spectator, with my wife, and support Team GB," said 1948 hockey Olympian John Peake in a BOA statement.

"It will also be extremely special to have the opportunity to meet with my fellow 1948 compatriots at the celebratory lunch, some of whom I haven't seen since 1948."

The BOA said there were also plans to host a series of special events for the 1948 Olympians, with some also having the opportunity to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay that will start next May.

Under a wider scheme, all British Olympians from previous Summer and Winter Games -- some 3,500 athletes -- will have the chance to buy four tickets each to sessions at next year's Games.