Wenlock Olympian Society Annual Games
The Wenlock Olympian Society Annual Games from 1850 are a forerunner of the modern Olympic Games. They are every year in Much Wenlock ( Shropshire , England held).
history
On February 25, 1850, the Wenlock Agricultural Reading Society decided to do something to improve the physical and mental health of its own people. The Olympian Class was founded for this purpose . The secretary of the company and the driving force behind the "Wenlock Olympic Games" was Dr. William Penny Brookes .
The first meeting took place on the Wenlocker Rennbahn on October 22nd and 23rd, 1850. The first games were a mix of athletics and traditional sports such as quoits (ring-throwing), soccer and cricket . But competitions such as wheelbarrow races were also held.
In 1860 the Wenlock Olympian Society was founded.
Baron Pierre de Coubertin attended the Olympic Society in 1890, which held a special festival in his honor. He was led by Dr. Brookes inspired the founding of the International Olympic Committee. Brookes was named as a guest of honor at the founding congress of the IOC in 1894, although he was unable to attend for health reasons.
The Wenlocker Olympic Games were held only occasionally after Brooke's death in 1895, with revivals in 1950 and 1977. The current series has been running since 1977, and received official recognition from the IOC and the British Olympic Association (BOA), particularly through visits from your royal family Highness Princess Anne in 1990 for the BOA and Juan Antonio Samaranch in 1994 for the IOC.
One of the two mascots for the London 2012 Summer Olympics was named Wenlock in honor of the Wenlock Games.
Individual evidence
- ^ Wenlock Olympian Society . Quote: "It was in 1850 that the first ever Wenlock Olympian Games took place in Much Wenlock and they are still held here annually"
- ↑ Author: Ben Jeffrey, BBC News Online. "Father of the modern Olympics" "His [William Penny Brookes] vision for the Olympic Games is hailed as one of modern sports greatest achievements".