Humble Beginnings
Despite starting in ancient Greece, the current modern Olympic Games actually finds its origin in a sleepy Shropshire town known as Much Wenlock. During the 19th century, local doctor William Penny Brookes created an annual competition to help promote moral, physical and intellectual improvement for the inhabitants, especially aimed towards the working class.
In 1850, Brookes created the Wenlock Olympian Games, attracting thousands of spectators and competitors from as far as London and Liverpool and consisting of a number of locally crafted games. After visiting the Wenlock Olympian Games and hearing of Brookes’ inspiration behind their inception Baron Pierre de Coubertin provided a speech expressing his affinity for the doctor’s ideals and mission.
Worldwide Phenomenon
Coubertin, inspired by Brookes’ work, continued in his efforts of reviving the Olympic Games entirely as a global phenomenon. Eventually this led to his 1892 meeting of the Union des Sports Athlétiques in Paris. Delegates from all over the world were in attendance and after lengthy discussions, the first game was planned for Athens in 1896.
From there the games continued to be hosted around the globe every 4 years with Great Britain having hosted them in 1908, 1948 and 2012.
Did you know?
- Though many may refer to the current olympic team as simply “Great Britain” the full title of the team is officially known as “Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team”.
- In 1908, Great Britain set the standard marathon distance of 26 miles 385 yards by starting at Windsor castle and ending at the Royal Nursery as British officials wished to have the race finish in front of the King.
- As one of the first 14 teams to compete in the 1896 games, Britain has now earned over 850 gold medals
Though the games have grown well beyond the small borders of Much Wenlock, the Wenlock Olympian Society still conducts their games to this day in July to honour the work of doctor William Penny Brookes.
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