Express & Star

Much Wenlock Games celebrate 100 years after first Olympic success

A Shropshire sporting event that inspired the modern Olympic Games has taken place over the weekend.

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Athletes competing in the track and field on Sunday

The Much Wenlock Olympian Games started in 1850 as the brainchild of Dr William Penny Brookes.

It is is thought to have provided the inspiration for the modern Olympics after Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the International Olympic Committee visited the games in 1890 - six years before the first Olympic Games.

This year mark's the 100th year anniversary of when a Much Wenlock champion then went on to compete at the actual Olympic Games.

Jonathan Edwards CBE, president of the Much Wenlock Olympian Society, former Olympic triple jumping gold medallist and current world record holder, explained the significance.