New exhibition showcasing London’s Olympic legacy opens at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Wenlock the official London 2012 mascot, Olympic and Paralympic medals, Olympic and Paralympic torches are all on display at “10 years on” a new free exhibition at Lee Valley VeloPark charting the achievements of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and of the years that have followed. 

The exhibition highlights the sporting, economic and wellbeing opportunities generated by the Games, the journey of the Paralympics movement and the remarkable changes to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 

Visitors can take a selfie with the much-loved London 2012 Mascot, Wenlock, re-live the glory of Team GB and ParalympicsGB triumphs, see medals, the Olympic and Paralympic torches and part of the Olympic cauldron. 

Also on show will be one of the jackets worn at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony, decorated with printed text from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and conceptual models for the opening of the Paralympic Games. 

The exhibition takes visitors on a journey from that wonderful summer of sport in 2012 through all the extraordinary achievements since then, and focuses on what is to come in terms or sport, housing, jobs and opportunities for communities. It overlooks the track at Lee Valley VeloPark track where, in 2012, Great Britain dominated, winning more medals in track cycling than any other country. 

Lee Valley VeloPark will make history this summer when it hosts the Commonwealth Games’ track cycling events, making it the only venue in the world to have hosted an Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games in the same sport. 

The new exhibition has been organised by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, the London Legacy Development Corporation and the National Paralympic Heritage Trust, all having played major roles in the success of the Games’ legacy.

Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive at Lee Valley Regional Park Authority said: “It is only now, 10 years on, that we can see the true scale of the incredible sporting legacy from London 2012. We are proud that Lee Valley Regional Park Authority’s three venues are at the heart of this. The Games inspired countless people of all ages to try new things, and as Lee Valley VeloPark gets ready to host the Commonwealth Games’ track cycling events, we know that these ground-breaking venues have created real health, wellbeing and sporting opportunities for communities far and wide, and will continue to do so.”

Lyn Garner, Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “This exhibition takes you on a journey from that wonderful summer of sport in 2012 through to the fantastic achievements since then. It is fantastic to see that people have such fond memories of 2012 but also appreciate the legacy that has been, and continues to be, created here in east London.”

Vicky Hope-Walker, Project Manager at the National Paralympic Heritage Trust, said: “It is exciting to be in the park this year celebrating the British Paralympic Movement 10 years on. We were of course born out of the London 2012 Games and the recognition of the need to care for the early collections of national and international significance. As we come near to the end of a six-year project supported substantially by the National Lottery Heritage Fund it is a fitting celebration of our own achievements as well as an opportunity to plan our next five years and what permanent legacy might develop from this event.”

The new exhibition celebrates the growth of the Paralympic movement, from when sports were first introduced into rehabilitation programmes by Professor Sir Ludwig Guttmann at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in the 1940s, to today, including ParalympicsGB medallists such as husband-and-wife pairing Lora and Neil Fachie, who each won cycling golds in Tokyo last year. The exhibition will also mark seven years since the creation of the National Paralympic Heritage Trust.

As well as new cutting-edge venues, the creation of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park revitalised an area of London which was once industrial land. Today, the Park’s 560 acres attract over six million visitors a year and are home to businesses, schools and over 2,800 homes. Looking ahead, the development of East Bank will also bring world-leading cultural venues to the area, such as the BBC, V&A East and a second venue for Sadler’s Wells, the world-renowned dance company.

For further information, please contact :

Paddy Hennessy, London Communications Agency 07836 256662, ph@londoncommunications.co.uk

Jayen Patel, London Communications Agency 07593 706117,  jmp@londoncommunications.co.uk

When: 13 April-September 2022. Open 09:00 to 18:00 every day.

ENDS

For more information, or hi-res images contact press@leevalleypark.org.uk