The Cultural Olympiad is recognising the legacy of previous Olympics held in the UK through the annual Open Weekend celebrations which mark the countdown to London 2012, and the Inspire programme which recognises non-commercial projects genuinely inspired by 2012.
For example, the venues of the 1908 and 1948 London Olympic games have been celebrated through various Open Weekend projects including walking tours of the sites of the three London Olympic stadia. In the West Midlands, the ‘Museums Keep Moving’ Cultural Olympiad Inspire Mark exhibition explores the history and philosophy of the Much Wenlock Olympic games and its role in inspiring Baron Pierre de Coubertin in founding the modern Olympics.
A number of sporting events were hosted at Stoke Mandeville Stadium as part of the Open Weekend celebrations, recognising Stoke Mandeville’s status as the birthplace of the Paralympic games.
London 2012 and The Royal Mint produced a limited edition IVth Olympiad London Anniversary commemorative £2 coin in 2008 to mark the centenary of the 1908 London Olympic games.