The Olympic Journey - The Story of the Games

A unique experience telling the story of the Olympic Games from its creation in 776BC through to the London 2012 Olympic Games

Walk into the foyer of the Royal Opera House, experience the heat and dust of Athens and discover the origins of the Ancient Olympic Games which featured athletics, combat and chariot races. Hear the cheers, get caught up in the thrill of the contest, and enjoy multimedia material and artefacts telling the story of the Olympics through the creation of the modern Olympic Games in 1896 by Pierre de Coubertin to the vast Olympic Movement we see today.

See all the Summer Olympic torches since 1936 and all the Summer Olympic medals from 1896, and imagine yourself in Pierre de Coubertin’s office with a backdrop of the lake in Lausanne as inspiration.

Personal stories of 16 Olympians including Steve Redgrave, Cathy Freeman, Kelly Holmes, Olga Korbut, Jesse Owens, Balbir Singh and Aleksandr Karelin will be featured together with some of their artefacts in the Paul Hamlyn Hall. Projections will loom above on a vast ribbon showcasing some of the many iconic moments in Olympic history and showcasing the values of the Olympic Movement.