Wenlock Olympian Society

Wenlock Olympian Games

The Wenlock Olympian Games are still held in July each year, attracting athletes from all across the UK. The 124th Games took place from 9th to the 12th July 2010.

The London 2012 Olympic mascot was a VIP visitor at the annual Wenlock Olympian Games on Sunday 11th July 2010. ‘Wenlock’, the official London 2012 Olympic Games mascot, attended the main athletics day to meet spectators and join in a fun run for children.

Results from the 2010 games are now available here

A selection of photos from the main Games Day can be seen here and the Equestrian Event here

A video interview with Olympic Mascot 'Wenlock' can be seen here

Olympic Mascot named
after Much Wenlock

Wenlock Olympian Society's PR Secretary, Helen Clare Cromarty, expressed the amazement and pride felt by the Society and the town of Wenlock when she described the unveiling of the Olympic Mascots' names on 19th May 2010 to a startled audience of locals, dignitories and Society members.

Photos & full story here

Cartoon by:
Roger Penwill
roger@penwill.com

Jonathan Edwards Launches Community Games

Jonathan Edwards, Deputy Chair of LOCOG Nations and Regions and Vice President of the Wenlock Olympian Society visited Much Wenlock on 27 May to launch one of the region’s major cultural programmes, Community Games.

Full story with video & photos here

William Penny Brookes

The Society is devoted to preserving the ideals of Dr William Penny Brookes, founding father of the Modern Olympic Games.

The Society is still based in Much Wenlock, Shropshire, the beautiful home town of Dr Brookes.

It was in 1850 that the first ever Olympian Games were held here in Much Wenlock. The brainchild of Dr Brookes, the Games were originaly designed "to promote the moral, physical and intellectual improvement of the inhabitants of the Town and neighbourhood of Wenlock".

Over subsequent years this concept inspired individuals & sporting organisations throughout Europe - inspiration that no doubt made a significant contribution to the re-birth of the modern Olympic Games in 1896.

Learn more about Dr William Penny Brookes here

Norman Wood

This web site is also a tribute to Norman Wood, former President of Wenlock Olympian Society, whose vision for wider, universal recognition of Dr William Penny Brookes' influence on Modern Olympianism remains undiminished.

Sadly Norman passed away in April 2005.

Read more about Norman Wood here

German & French Translation

Some of our pages are now available in the German & French languages. Click on the flags at the top of any page to view.