Birthplace Of The Modern Olympics
"The Wenlock people alone have preserved and followed the true Olympian traditions."
Pierre de Coubertin
1897
Did you know....
“One side of every Olympic medal ever awarded bears the image of Nike, Goddess of Victory, this is modelled on the medal first awarded at the Wenlock Olympian Games in 1868”.
“The founder of the modern Olympic movement, Coubertin, stated in 1896 that the revival of the Olympic Games was not due to a Greek but to Dr William Penny Brookes (of Much Wenlock Shropshire)”.
“It is thought that one of the first sports events ever to be photographed was the Wenlock Olympian Games of 1867″.
“The procession of athletes, Olympic hymns and the medal ceremony seen at every Olympic Games is based on those first seen at the Wenlock Olympian Games“.
Follow the fascinating trail around Much Wenlock, taking in the key locations of the Olympic Games here.