Wenlock Olympian Games Underway

On Sunday Javelin Bronze medal Olympian, David Ottley will be our VIP guest.

Hundreds of athletes are expected to descend on the town of Much Wenlock and the surrounding area this weekend.

Competitors will be trying for gold, silver and bronze medals in a wide range of sports such as Football, Volleyball and Tennis. Plus there will be of athletics including the Modern Biathlon, Triathlon and a full programme of Track & Field taking place at the Much Wenlock Sports Centre. This Sunday, entrants will also compete in the Seven-Mile Road Race, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Bowls and Archery. The Games finish on Monday 11 July with the Golf tournament, this year held at Telford & Great Hay Golf Course.

The Wenlock Olympian Games – the forerunner of the modern International Olympics – were first held in 1850 and were established by Much Wenlock’s local doctor and philanthropist William Penny Brookes. Whilst pursuing his own Olympian Games in Wenlock, Brookes was also determined to see his vision translated to a wider, international stage. He campaigned vigorously and was in contact with the organisers of Olympian Games in Athens.

Brookes shared his vision for an international Olympian festival with influential Frenchman Baron de Coubertin who visited Much Wenlock and was inspired by what William Penny Brookes had achieved. This wealthy French aristocrat went on to set up the International Olympic Congress and the first Games of the modern International Olympics took place in Athens in 1896 – the ultimate realisation of William Penny Brookes’ lifelong dream.

The Games are continued to this day by the Wenlock Olympian Society. Helen Clare Cromarty from the Wenlock Olympian Society said: “We can’t wait for this year’s Games. As ever we have competitors from all over the county - and several international competitors – coming to take part in the events, and we are looking forward to welcoming them all. The Wenlock Olympian Society is very proud of its commitment to preserve the ideals of William Penny Brookes.”

Triathlon veteran, Simon MacVicar, said, “The Games have developed and expanded so much since I first took part in the Triathlon. It’s always a fantastic race, and competitors keep coming year after year. The Games is like a sports festival".

For information about the games and Wenlock Olympian Society visit www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk

For information about Much Wenlock visit www.muchwenlockguide.info