Olympic Games Brought To Life At Wrexham Museum Exhibition

The Olympic Torch may have been and gone but the history of the games has been brought to life in a new exhibition at the Wrexham Museum.

Following the Flame uses the build up to the Olympic Games as the main impetus to explore and celebrate the inspiring history of often-forgotten Welsh men and women who attended the games.

The exhibition will end its all-Wales tour to major venues across the nation at Wrexham Museum running until the 15th September.

It takes the visitor on a fascinating journey from the origins of the Olympic Games in Greece in 776BC, through to their demise nearly twelve hundred years later.

It then picks up with the important role of Britain in their re-establishment in Athens in 1896, the inclusion of the Paralympics, and the many significant episodes (both heroic and tragic) in their history ever since.

Phil Cope, Following the Flame Coordinator said: “This is a great opportunity for the people of Wrexham to continue the Olympic spirit that was shown for the Torch Relay. The exhibition will be in Wrexham to coincide with the Olympic Games in London and will be a great chance for people to see Welsh sporting memorabilia and learn the history of the Olympic games, all of which will be right on their doorstep.”

The huge exhibition will include:

– A new film with a special composed soundtrack by the Welsh composer Andrew Griffiths.
– An extensive collection of sporting memorabilia relating to Welsh Olympians and Paralympians, including real Olympic torches and medals.
– An inspiring collection of photographs (some not seen before) of Welsh Olympians and Paralympians.
– New portraits of Welsh athletes by Welsh artists Lorraine Bewsey and Samuel James Hunt.
– Extracts from the 100+ interviews the Following the Flame/Dilyn a Fflam Project has conducted with leading Welsh athletes over the past two years.

In addition, an inspiring education programme for people of all ages will be on offer to local schools, organisations and individuals.