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THE COTSWOLD OLIMPICKS
BBC Countryfile Magazine
|History Special 2025
Britain's Olympic history began in the time of Shakespeare with an extravagant crowd-pleasing event supported by royalty
Predating the modern Olympics by three centuries, the Cotswold Olimpick Games is an eccentric annual sporting festival that's been taking place on a hill near Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire since 1612 (with a few gaps).
Held on the first Friday after the spring bank holiday, in late May, the event features a range of challenges, from running races and throwing competitions through to feats of strength and combat sports, including an infamous shin-kicking contest.
THE HISTORY
Around the turn of the 17th century, inspired by the ancient Greek Olympics, Cotswolds-based lawyer Robert Dover conceived the idea of holding a series of sporting contests in the English countryside to encourage locals towards healthy pursuits.
Cette histoire est tirée de l'édition History Special 2025 de BBC Countryfile Magazine.
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