Wenlock Olympics success

The 123rd Wenlock Olympic Games, which tested the sporting talents of more than 1,000 athletes from the county and beyond, have been hailed a success by organisers.

The games - which were founded by Dr William Penny Brookes in Much Wenlock in 1850 and are regarded as the forerunner to the modern Olympics - attracted more than 1,250 entries from athletes from as far afield as Norway.

The four-day event kicked off on Friday with quick cricket and volleyball and came to an end yesterday with golf.

Sporting events across the games also included athletics, tennis, triathlon, fencing, archery, bowls, badminton, clay pigeon shooting and cycling.

This year, all participants were rewarded for taking part with medals specially produced by the Birmingham Royal Mint to commemorate the bicentenary of the birth of founder Dr Penny Brookes.

As well as the sporting events, the Special Olympics torch Flame of Hope was lit at the games on Sunday and is now on an 800 mile journey across 45 British towns and cities before it arrives in Leicester on July 25, heralding the start of the 2009 Special Olympics Summer Games.

Among the guests of honour were former athletes Robbie Brightwell and Ann Packer, who made history when they famously embraced after she won the 800 metres on the track at the Olympics in Tokyo in 1964.

Mr Brightwell, who was captain of the men's British team, grew up in Donnington and gained his athletics training in Shrewsbury.

Crowds also welcomed former Olympic medal winner Tommy Godwin who was one of the greatest track racing cyclists of his time. He won two bronze medals in the 1948 London games and a bronze at the 1950 British Empire Games.

Yachtsman Paul Anderson, who won a bronze medal in the 1968 Olympics and is a former chief executive of Special Olympics GB, joined the ceremony to light the Special Olympics flame.

Helen Cromarty, PR and sponsorship secretary, said the atmosphere and enthusiasm made this year's event one of the best ever.

She said: "It was fantastic. We had more that 1,200 competitors and that many of more spectators.

"The weather was lovely except for the end of the golf yesterday when the heavens opened on the last few golf teams.

"The medals went down really well and there was a choice of four olympians to present them, it was very inspirational. We can't wait for next year."

The full results are on the following pages

123^rd Much Wenlock Olympian Games (2009)

RESULTS

5 –a-Side U/11 Football

Gold: Broseley; Silver: Buildwas; Bronze: Much Wenlock

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Volleyball

Inter Schools Girls Tournament

Gold: Gausdal VGS (Norway)

Silver: Meale Brace

Inter Schools Boys/Mixed Tournament

Gold: William Brookes School 'A'

Silver: William Brookes School 'B'

Bronze: William Brookes School Yr 10

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Badminton

Girls' Competition

Singles

Gold: Lucy Nicolaides

Silver: Ella Ruxton

Bronze: Thea (Norway)

Doubles

Gold: Lucy Nicolaides & Ella Ruxton

Silver: Solveig & Asne (Norway)

Bronze: Magda Kowaleska & Megan Howley; Kiristen & Thea (Norway)

Boys' Competition

Singles

Over 14:

Gold: Oliver Crossley

Silver: Andy Marlowe

Bronze: Matthew Jones & Luke Martin

Age 14:

Gold: Tom Sherlock

Silver: Josh Hand