Wenlock Olympian Games Report

Monday 11th July was the last day of the Wenlock Olympian Games. The closing event – the Golf Tournament – was competed in glorious sunshine at the Telford & Great Hay Golf course, with golfers from Cheltenham, Denstone, Broughton and Uttoxeter competing against local competitors. Leon Bodniek’s team from Bridgnorth won the Mens Gold medal, and Mary Pacey’s team from Much Wenlock won the Ladies Gold medal.

It has been a full and lively Festival taking place on six sites across Shropshire with around 2,500 competitors enjoying five days of sports. New events have been added to the programme including, Equestrian, Masters Swimming, Netball, Hockey, Modern Bialthlon and 5-a-Side Football tournaments.

Each year the Games are organised by the Wenlock Olympian Society (WOS) , an independent charitable organisation with a dedicated Committee of volunteers. The Games is essentially an open competition run to UK national rules – Club sports at their friendliest and best. Of the 17 events:

• 6 events are specifically for junior athletes: Badminton, Football, Kwik Cricket, Modern Biathlon, Netball and Volleyball.
• 6 events have junior and senior sections: Archery, Athletics, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Equestrian, Fencing and Hockey
• 5 events are for seniors: Bowls, Golf, Masters Swimming , Seven-Mile Road Race and Triathlon

Over the five days, WOS has been delighted to welcome international interest from both competitors and press. Notably, Sweden and New Zealand were represented in the Road Race, and a team from the Coubertin School in Norway competed in the Volleyball. Before, during and after the Games, there has been a range of international media interest. TV coverage has come from Australia, Japan, Finland, U.S.A., Brazil and France with BBC and Sky Sports News broadcasting to the British public.

Chris Cannon, WOS Chairman said ‘I think we can safely declare that 2011 has been the most successful Wenlock Olympian Games to date in terms of the range of sports and quality of the competitors. The London Olympics has certainly brought increased attention and the world press to our door. No doubt, 2012 will bring further interest, and the tradition our founder, William Penny Brookes, established back in 1850, will be continued as he would wish.”

For more information visit www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk