"If the Olympic Games that modern Greece has not been able to revive still survives today, it is due not to a Greek but to Dr William Penny Brookes," says Olympic founder Pierre de Coubertin.
Who was Dr William Penny Brookes?
Brookes was born, lived, worked and died in the same house in the centre of Much Wenlock opposite the Church. Today there is a blue plaque dedicated to him on the house.
According to Chris Cannon from the Wenlock Olympian Society, Brookes was the local doctor of Much Wenlock in Shropshire. Following in his father's footsteps, he travelled on horseback to treat his patients, and was well known and liked by the working classes.
But perhaps more notably, Brookes is recognised as the first sports scientist, dedicating his life to a revolutionary idea: Physical Education for all. He worked tirelessly to ensure PE was included in the curriculum and for this alone, he should be regarded as the Father of Exercise Medicine in Britain.
At Much Wenlock National School, Brookes implemented a unique experiment. He divided the boys into groups, with some performing drill exercises while others participated in physical activities. By meticulously measuring their muscle development, Brookes provided compelling evidence for the benefits of physical education. This data proved instrumental in convincing the government, which subsequently made PE compulsory in all National Schools.
Though greatly loved in town, politically he was an outcast. Despite not belonging to the upper classes, his personality brought people from all walks of life together. His ability to enthuse others ultimately led to the national and international adoption of his ideas and the concept of the Olympic Games.
How did the Much Wenlock Olympian Games start?
Witnessing riots and the tragic loss of 3,000 lives during his studies in Paris deeply affected Brookes, fuelling his desire to foster a sense of community and promote good health, particularly among the working class.
Inspired by the ancient Olympic Games, he had the idea to start a modern version in his home town Much Wenlock in Shropshire with the intention of bringing people together from all walks of life and from a range of age groups, to have fun, get healthy and enjoy a variety of sports.
In 1850, this vision became a reality with the inaugural Much Wenlock Olympian Games.
According to the Visit Much Wenlock website the town's games were originally designed “to promote the moral, physical and intellectual improvement of the inhabitants of the Town and neighbourhood of Wenlock”.
Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics, visited England to learn about physical education on behalf of the French government. Given Brookes' pioneering work in this area, he invited Coubertin to attend Much Wenlock's "Olympian Games".
This event, complete with a procession, medal ceremonies, and an Olympic hymn, mirrored elements we see in the modern Games. Deeply impressed by Brookes' vision, Coubertin returned to France inspired to revive the Olympic Games on a grander scale.
Just six years later, the first Summer Olympics were held in Athens.
Did Brookes visit the first Olympics?
Sadly he died in 1895 so never saw his vision on an international stage.
After Brookes died Coubertin wrote: "The Wenlock people alone have preserved and followed the true Olympian traditions."
Want to find out more?
There is an Olympian Trail around the town and the Museum features WOS material including Penny Farthing riders!
Did you know the mascot of the 2012 Olympic Games was called Wenlock after the town?
The Much Wenlock Olympian Society works to preserve the ideals of Dr William Penny Brookes – the inspiration for the modern Olympic Movement.
All images courtesy of the The Wenlock Olympian Society
