Olympic influence (From The Oxford Times)

Olympic influence

8:30am Thursday 10th May 2012 in Letters

Sir – It is right that Ann Spokes Symonds’s letter (April 26) should recall and celebrate the undoubted influence of Dr W P Brookes and Much Wenlock on the foundation of the modern Olympics.

However, another major influence (similarly often overlooked) was that of Liverpudlian John Hulley (1832-1875) who — with Dr Brookes, Mr E G Ravenstein and others, formed the National Olympian Association in November 1865.

Indeed, John Hulley’s role in the 19th-century Olympic movement is underlined by the award, in October 1864, of honorary membership of the Wenlock Olympian Association.

Additionally, in the 2001 Journal of Olympic History, reference is made to the effect that “like Brookes and Ravenstein he [Hulley] influenced the thinking of the young Coubertin”.

Those who wish to learn more of this remarkable man can do no better than to go to: www.johnhulley-olympics.co.uk.

Peter John, Lower Heyford