The Early Olympics

The Olympic Games

Introduction:

Background:

• The Ancient Olympics were festivals combing sport, religion and music that took place throughout the Mediterranean region
• In England in the early 1600,s, Robert Dover founded the Cotswold Olympic games- inspired by his studies of Ancient Greece
• The games were stopped in 1852 due to rowdiness and dangerous activities
• In 1980 they were revived and are now celebrated each June in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire

In Invitation to Shropshire:

• William Penny Brocks was a doctor who devoted much of his life to the people of Much Wenlock
• In 1850, he founded the Wenlock Olympian Games aiming to promote the moral, physical and intellectual improvement of the inhabitants of the town and the neighbourhood of Wenlock
• He also had a broader, more ambitious vision of establishing an international sporting festival
• In 1889, Brooks invited De Coubertin to visit the games

The Idea Germinates:

• The invitation was accepted and De Coubertin also visited the English public schools
• De Coubertin wanted the philosophy of these schools for the young people of France

De Coubertin’s Vision:

• De Coubertin attended the Much Wenlock Games in 1890 and witnessed an impressive opening ceremony as well as Athletics, Football, Cricket and traditional country sports such as quoit-throwing
• He was inspired and he and Brooks had an ambition to reinvent the Ancient Olympics in Athens
• Brooks died aged 86, just four months before the realisation of the shared vision
• The Wenlock Games are still held in July each year, attracting Athletes from all over the UK

Principles, aims and philosophy of the modern Olympic movement:

The Olympic Charter:

States that’s the fundamental principles of the Olympic Games are:

• “To contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and…