The British Olympics
Britain's Olympic heritage 1612-2012Product Code:51538
£17.99
- Provides a distinctive introduction to the British prehistory and history of the 2012 London Olympics
- Explores the various interpretations of Olympic in British history
- Illustrates the social history of sport through architecture, art, artefacts and archaeology
History records that the Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece nearly three thousand years ago, died out around 393 AD, and were triumphantly reborn in 1896, in the Greek capital of Athens. Rather less well known is how, during the intervening centuries, an assortment of British writers, romantics, sportsmen and visionaries helped nurture that revival. Our nation's fascination with all things Olympian has played a pivotal role in shaping the Games as we know them today, resulting in London becoming in 2012 the first city ever to stage a third modern Olympiad. Consider, for example, that the first published use of the word 'Olympian' in the English language dates from around 1590. Its author? William Shakespeare. And that the first games of the post-classical era to adopt the formal title 'Olympick' took place in the Cotswolds village of Chipping Campden in 1612. Thus the 2012 Games represent the culmination of over four hundred years of British enthusiasm and ingenuity; an attachment that has left in its wake a trail of fascinating stories, characters, sites, buildings and artefacts. Leading the reader on a marathon journey, The British Olympics charts them all, making this a vital and entertaining source for anyone with an interest in the Games, in sport, and in the wider narrative of Britains social and cultural heritage.
About the Author Martin Polley is Senior Lecturer in Sport History at the University of Southampton. Extent:200pp Illustrations: 300 colour and b&w Pub date: September 2011
About the Author Martin Polley is Senior Lecturer in Sport History at the University of Southampton.
Contents 1. Introduction
2. Olympia and Britannia
3. Cotswold Olimpick Games
4. Wenlock Olympian Games
5. Liverpool Olympic Festivals
6. National Olympian Games
7. Morpeth Olympic Games
8. Coubertin and the British
9. London Olympic Games 1908
10. London Olympic Games 1948
11. Stoke Mandeville Games
12. British Olympians
13. Legacy
History records that the Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece nearly three thousand years ago, died out around 393 AD, and were triumphantly reborn in 1896, in the Greek capital of Athens. Rather less well known is how, during the intervening centuries, an assortment of British writers, romantics, sportsmen and visionaries helped nurture that revival. Our nation's fascination with all things Olympian has played a pivotal role in shaping the Games as we know them today, resulting in London becoming in 2012 the first city ever to stage a third modern Olympiad. Consider, for example, that the first published use of the word 'Olympian' in the English language dates from around 1590. Its author? William Shakespeare. And that the first games of the post-classical era to adopt the formal title 'Olympick' took place in the Cotswolds village of Chipping Campden in 1612. Thus the 2012 Games represent the culmination of over four hundred years of British enthusiasm and ingenuity; an attachment that has left in its wake a trail of fascinating stories, characters, sites, buildings and artefacts. Leading the reader on a marathon journey, The British Olympics charts them all, making this a vital and entertaining source for anyone with an interest in the Games, in sport, and in the wider narrative of Britains social and cultural heritage.
About the Author Martin Polley is Senior Lecturer in Sport History at the University of Southampton. Extent:200pp Illustrations: 300 colour and b&w Pub date: September 2011
About the Author Martin Polley is Senior Lecturer in Sport History at the University of Southampton.
Contents 1. Introduction
2. Olympia and Britannia
3. Cotswold Olimpick Games
4. Wenlock Olympian Games
5. Liverpool Olympic Festivals
6. National Olympian Games
7. Morpeth Olympic Games
8. Coubertin and the British
9. London Olympic Games 1908
10. London Olympic Games 1948
11. Stoke Mandeville Games
12. British Olympians
13. Legacy
Size: 210mm x 210mm Paperback
Author 1: Martin Polley
ISBN: 9781848020580
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