Cyprus-Forum.com

[kimon07]

rowing_006_2295535k.jpg

The Coxless pair!

Just look at them oars......
Them aint 'ores...........

How could they? They are men aren't they?

[Jerry]

The modern Olympic games certainly have come home. Were it not for the efforts of Dr William Penny Brookes the games may never have been revived. He started holding athletic meetings in Much Wenlock in 1850 and went on to stage the National Olympian Games at Crystal Palace in 1866. Over the following decades he repeatedly urged the Greeks to revive their ancient games. Four years after visiting Much Wenlock in 1890 Baron Pierre de Coubertain formed the International Olympic Committee.

http://www.bl.uk/sportandsociety/explor ... les/mw.pdf

No doubt the usual Brit bashers will wish to play down William Penny Brookes's part in the revival of the Olympic Games. Be my guest, I bet I know who will be first.

[Hermes]

The modern Olympic games certainly have come home. Were it not for the efforts of Dr William Penny Brookes the games may never have been revived. He started holding athletic meetings in Much Wenlock in 1850 and went on to stage the National Olympian Games at Crystal Palace in 1866

It's true that 19th century Brits were inspired by the ideals of Ancient Greece - even if this did involve quaint notions of what the games were.

But lighting the Olympic flame from the rays of the Sun in Much Wenlock just wouldn't be the same. That is why the flame is lit in the true home of the Olympics: Ancient Olympia and not a market town in Shropshire.

[kimon07]

The modern Olympic games certainly have come home. Were it not for the efforts of Dr William Penny Brookes the games may never have been revived. He started holding athletic meetings in Much Wenlock in 1850 and went on to stage the National Olympian Games at Crystal Palace in 1866. Over the following decades he repeatedly urged the Greeks to revive their ancient games. Four years after visiting Much Wenlock in 1890 Baron Pierre de Coubertain formed the International Olympic Committee.

http://www.bl.uk/sportandsociety/explor ... les/mw.pdf

No doubt the usual Brit bashers will wish to play down William Penny Brookes's part in the revival of the Olympic Games.

From 1821 to 1922 Greece and its people were struggling for survival as well as for liberating enslaved territories. Meaning that athletics and games were the least they could think of, let alone cover any relevant costs.
Nevertheless, we are all greatful to him and to Pierre de Coubertain cause thanks to them the Olympic Games were finally established as an international event which, appart from bringing the people of the world together, promotes Greece and the ideals which it represents. And indeed, there are no better friends of Greece than some Brits (and Germans) of classical education.
On the other hand, the games will be home only when they will start being conducted permanently in Greece and stop being the "biggest corporate scam" as bill cobbet has characterised them.

[Jerry]

The modern Olympic games certainly have come home. Were it not for the efforts of Dr William Penny Brookes the games may never have been revived. He started holding athletic meetings in Much Wenlock in 1850 and went on to stage the National Olympian Games at Crystal Palace in 1866

It's true that 19th century Brits were inspired by the ideals of Ancient Greece - even if this did involve quaint notions of what the games were.

But lighting the Olympic flame from the rays of the Sun in Much Wenlock just wouldn't be the same. That is why the flame is lit in the true home of the Olympics: Ancient Olympia and not a market town in Shropshire.

That's why I said "modern" Hermes. I'm currently reading Catherine Beale's book (Born Out of Wenlock) about Dr Penny Brookes and the games there. What actually inspired him in the first place was the desire to encourage working people to get out into the fresh air and exercise. That part of Shropshire was the birth-place of the Industrial Revolution where many had left the land and were working in the suffocating iron and coal industries. In that respect the Games revival could be said to be a product of industrialisation.

[Get Real!]

From 1821 to 1922 Greece and its people were struggling for survival...

Not much has changed then!

[bill cobbett]

First day of Track and Field...

Men's Shot-putt... Big men these but they have to be nimble to build up some speed in that little circle. Oh... and why are so many shot-putters bearded...???

[Jerry]

, let alone cover any relevant costs.

And Greece could afford them today? The 2004 Athens Olympics was surely a contributor to the economic problems that country suffers currently from.

[Jerry]

First day of Track and Field...

Men's Shot-putt... Big men these but they have to be nimble to build up some speed in that little circle. Oh... and why are so many shot-putters bearded...???

To cover their balls, Bill.

[bill cobbett]

First day of Track and Field...

Men's Shot-putt... Big men these but they have to be nimble to build up some speed in that little circle. Oh... and why are so many shot-putters bearded...???

To cover their balls, Bill.

Wanted to say something about Shropshire and Industrialisation... but you beat me to it by about a minute.

Also wanted to say something about the English Contradiction, the "market-towns" and the industrialisation... and wanted to say something about the contradiction of the Games, between the modern day Corporatism and W. P. Brooke's vision of self-improvement through amateur sport... but the Ladies 10,000 metres is on, an enthralling race... worth watching... from the comfort of the nearest sofa.