The Longest Olympic Flame
The Flame which was finally extinguished in Tokyo last week had burned for the longest time. It had originally been kindled in Ancient Olympia on 12th March 2020 to coincide with the anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami. Even then the ceremony was held behind closed doors, […]
History Around Tokyo
During the 2021 Olympics, there were plenty of reminders of Japan’s Olympic past to be found throughout Tokyo. The original stadium, built for the 1958 Asian Games and subsequently upgraded for 1964, was demolished to make way for a new structure, but this at least was constructed on […]
The Flame burns in Tokyo at last!
Her hair specially braided with the National Japanese colour Cherry Red, Naomi Osaka ignited the cauldron to light the Olympic Flame after an Opening Ceremony which largely captured the mood of uncertainty yet also offered a message of hope. […]
The Last Amateurs
Already, over a week has passed since Italy beat England on penalties in the dramatic European Championship final at Wembley Stadium in London. The attendance was supposed to be 60,000 but after the storming of the gates by hooligans, the true figure may never be known. […]
“Agones Myth and Revival”
“Agones Myth and Revival” a new film documentary on the history and revival of the Olympic Games in 1896 will be screened for the first time this coming Sunday by Greek television network ERT. “It expresses the competition and the passion for excellence in ancient Greece. […]
Olympia – the Birth of the Games
A novel set at the time of the origins of the Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia has been published just in time for the rescheduled Olympics. Described as “the first retelling of the origins of the Olympic Games” it was in part inspired […]
Two new Welsh Olympians discovered
Two Canadians have established the identity of the first Welsh Olympian and another little-known participant from 1908. In the records of the 1900 Paris Games, William Lloyd Phillips from Monmouthshire was only listed as “Phillips”. […]
40 years of Chariots of Fire
It seems incredible but Chariots of Fire is 40 years old. Despite reservations at the Warner Brothers studios when it was released in 1981, it won four Oscars, and is considered by some, including Honorary IOC President […]
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