The IOC Session of 2012 opens at the Royal Opera House tonight, only a few yards away from the Royal Society of Arts where Baron Pierre De Coubertin made a speech in 1904.

His dream of reviving the Olympic Games was inspired by visits to England. He even set up the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on lines similar to the Henley Royal Regatta.

Coubertin took full advantage of British sporting expertise. The French speaking Reverend Robert de Courcy Laffan gave three decades to the IOC.

Charles Herbert, secretary of the Amateur Athletic Association was described as part of "an immovable trinity" central to the future of the Olympics.

The members who came to London in June 1904 were taken to two landmarks that will be used for the 2012 Games.

At Lord's cricket ground, Lord Kinnaird had asked the Marylebone Cricket Club to welcome "the St Louis committee" (the term IOC was not yet common currency). The welcoming committee included legendary cricketers CB Fry and WG Grace – both also gifted athletes.

Pierre de Coubertin (second left) with members of the first IOC in Athens in 1896

The dozen members watched Middlesex play cricket against South Africa on the very same field to be used for archery in 2012.

Later they went to see the ceremony of Trooping the Colour at Horse Guards Parade. In 2012, this will be the home of beach volleyball.

The Session heard an impassioned plea from Prospero Colonna Mayor of Rome and chose his city as 1908 hosts. Coubertin enthusiastically spoke of "a sumptuous toga" for the Olympic Movement.

After the eruption of Vesuvius and other problems for the Italian organisers, the Games were re-assigned to London.

In 1908 the Olympic sport began in April, but the IOC Session was held in July, days before the formal opening of the Games by King Edward VII.

The planned decision on the host city for the 1912 Games was postponed to the following year.

When the IOC returned to London in 1939, members honoured those who died in the First World War with a visit to the Cenotaph. As war clouds gathered President Henri Baillet-Latour had some uncompromising words: "It is my sincere wish that these games may mark the dawn of a new era of peace. Otherwise we shall be compelled to observe every trace of our civilization disappear under a heap of ruins and the flower of our youth disappear in the turmoil."

London 1908 competitors march past the Royal Box at the Opening Ceremony 

The Nazi occupation of the Sudetenland had left a tricky protocol problem. Founder member Dr Jiri Guth-Jarkovsky of Bohemia found himself without a country in which to represent the movement. The meeting decided he should be styled "member in Bohemia and Moravia", a decision accepted by the Germans.

At this time it was still expected that the 1940 Games in Helsinki would go ahead. They even planned a Torch Relay.

The Winter Games presented more of a problem. Sapporo had already pulled out. St Moritz were in turn replaced after a dispute over the programme and 1936 hosts Garmisch Partenkirchen took over.

Perhaps the most important business of the session was the election of host cities of 1944.

The members were taken to Wembley Stadium and the Empire Pool (now Wembley Arena) to demonstrate London's facilities. When it came to a vote, London was chosen as host city beating rival bids from Rome, Detroit and Lausanne.

"London will have ample time at her disposal before 1944," said the IOC report. The words were ironic in the circumstances.

Opening Ceremony of the 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Winter Olympic Games 

Cortina d'Ampezzo was selected for the Winter Games.

Paris was designated as host for the 1941 IOC Session, but by that time the world was at war and Paris occupied.

When the fighting stopped, London was chosen as 1948 host city by postal ballot.

"Welcome to our battered city," said Philip Noel Baker, Olympic medallist over 1500 metres in 1920 and by then a Government Minister. He welcomed the IOC members to London at the Institute of Architects. An appropriate location given the amount of building work needed to repair war damage in the city.

Organising Committee President Lord Portal hosted a banquet attended by Prime Minister Clement Attlee.

In the meantime, the IOC wives were taken to see Olivier's film version of Hamlet, and from there to a supper party hosted by Sir Eugen and Lady Effie Millington-Drake.

Although Germany and Japan had not been allowed to participate in the Games, the IOC President had decided to invite 1936 organiser Carl Diem to attend.

The Session faced delicate problems. Israel had been founded and was very keen to take part, though they had not yet formed a National Olympic Committee (NOC). As a gesture of goodwill, two Israeli athletes were invited as guests but not to compete. The Olympic family was growing with the addition of British Guiana (now Guyana) Iraq, Singapore, Pakistan, Puerto Rico and Syria.

Fanny Blankers-Koen jumps during the 80m hurdles event at the 1948 London Olympics

A recruiting drive had been instigated after the war. Among the new members were Erik Von Frenckell, organiser of the 1952 Games in Helsinki.

The session also decided that women could compete in sailing.

There was a banquet at Wembley before the Olympic Opening Ceremony and members were presented to King George VI.

The Games were a success, dominated by the exploits of Fanny Blankers Koen, but it would be 64 years before they came back to London.

The IOC did return to Britain in 1991. The Session at Birmingham's brand new International Convention Centre, which was opened by the Queen.

"It is no exaggeration to say that the eyes of the world will be on your deliberations. Happily, I shall be in a good position myself to receive a first-hand report," she told members in her opening speech.

In the audience was her daughter, the Princess Royal.

The Japanese city of Nagano was chosen as the host city of the 1998 Games, a choice that would have far reaching consequences for the Olympic Movement. Nagano beat Salt Lake City who then sat down and planned how they make sure of victory in any future vote. The bribery scandal followed.

Nagano delegates celebrate at the IOC Session held in Birmingham, 1991

The IOC Session in Birmingham effectively welcomed South Africa back into the Olympic fold. As the apartheid regime was dismantled, an Interim National Olympic Committee (INOCSA) had been established.

Judge Kéba Mbaye who led the IOC Commission brought a message from Nelson Mandela himself: "INOCSA deserved and would receive the support of the ANC [African National Congress]".

Within weeks South Africa's Olympic re-entry was confirmed.

Before the session ended some influential names were added to the membership. Thomas Bach, London 2012 Coordination Commission, chairman Denis Oswald and current IOC President Jacques Rogge.

Philip Barker, one of the world's most renowned sports historians, is the author of The History of the Olympic Torch, published by Amberley recently. To order a copy click here.