Meet the pioneering English country doctor who inspired the modern Olympics. Discover the unlikely origins of the event

““If the Olympic Games that modern Greece failed to revive still survive today, it is not thanks to a Greek but to Dr. William Penny Brookes,” says the founder of the Olympic Games, 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 of the Wenlock Olympian Society, Brookes was the local doctor in Much Wenlock, 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 most notably, Brookes is recognised as the first sports scientist, having dedicated his life to a revolutionary idea: physical education for all. He worked tirelessly to ensure that physical education was included in the school curriculum and, for this alone, he should be considered the father of exercise medicine in Britain.

At Much Wenlock School, Brookes set up a unique experiment. He divided the boys into groups, some performing physical exercises while others participated in physical activities. By meticulously measuring their muscular development, Brookes provided convincing evidence of the benefits of physical education. This data helped convince the government, which then made physical education compulsory in all schools nationwide.

Although well-liked in his city, he was a political outsider. Although he was not of the upper class, his personality brought people from all walks of life together. His ability to enthuse others eventually led to the national and international adoption of his ideas and the concept of the Olympic Games.

How did the Much Wenlock Olympics begin?

Witnessing the 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 came up with the idea of ​​launching a modern version in his home town of Much Wenloch in Shropshire with the intention of bringing together people from all backgrounds and ages, to have fun, be healthy and enjoy a variety of sports.

In 1850, this vision became reality with the first Wenlock Olympic Games.

According to the Visit Much Wenlock website, the town games were originally designed “to promote the moral, physical and intellectual improvement of the inhabitants of the town and environs of Wenlock”.

Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, travelled to England to learn about physical education on behalf of the French government. Given Brookes’ pioneering work in this field, he invited Coubertin to attend the “Olympic Games” at Much Wenlock.

This event, with a procession, medal ceremonies and an Olympic anthem, reflected elements that we find in the modern Games. Deeply impressed by Brookes’ vision, Coubertin returned to France, inspired to revive the Olympic Games on a larger scale.

Just six years later, the first Summer Olympics were held in Athens.

Did Brookes visit the first Olympics?

Unfortunately, he died in 1895 and was never able to realize his vision on the international stage.

After Brookes’ death, Coubertin wrote: “Only the Wenlock people have preserved and followed the true Olympian traditions.”

Want to know more?

There is an Olympic trail around the town and the museum displays WOS equipment including Penny Farthing riders!

Did you know that the mascot of the 2012 Olympic Games was named Wenlock, after the city?

The Much Wenlock Olympian Society strives to preserve the ideals of Dr William Penny Brookes, the inspiration for the modern Olympic Movement.

All images courtesy of The Much Wenlock Olympic Society