British Olympic Association Celebrates 1908 London Olympic Games Centenary.

Wednesday, 16th April 2008

Polo event planned to restage a key contest of 1908

The British Olympic Association (BOA) has announced plans to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the Olympic Games first being held in London, with the restaging of a historical event from 1908.  Great Britain will take on Ireland on May 29^th at Guards Polo Club.

The London 1908 Olympic Games are hailed as one of the most successful and iconic games of all time. London stepped in to host the event at short notice after Italy, the original host, was devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1906.  Despite this, the Games were a huge success, with the White City Stadium constructed especially for the events and events taking place over a six month period.  Team GB dominated the medal table in 1908, winning 145 medals from 110 events, eclipsing the second placed USA by nearly 100 medals. 

One of Team GB’s 56 gold medal successes came in the polo event, in which a team from Roehampton defeated an all-Ireland team 8-1.  To mark the 1908 Centenary, the BOA is restaging this final, which will be played on The Queens’ Ground at Guards Polo Club on May 29^th, and will be a chance for the public to see world class polo played in stunning surrounds, while mingling with assorted celebrities and Olympians.  The polo action will be followed by an exclusive fundraising dinner and auction, helping to raise funds for the BOA, which receives no government funding, towards the cost of preparing and sending Team GB to compete at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. 

Guests at the BOA fundraising dinner will enjoy a Champagne reception, three course dinner and the chance to bid for a host of fantastic money-can’t-buy auction lots, including:

·  An official BOA trip to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, including an exclusive visit into the Athletes’ Olympic Village

·  A bobsleigh experience with members of Team GB

BOA Chief Executive, Simon Clegg, commented:

“As we focus on preparing Team GB for Beijing 2008 and, beyond that, London 2012, it’s appropriate to mark the 100^th anniversary of the Olympic Games first coming to London.  I hope the sporting public will support this event in the knowledge that they will be seeing top class sport which is part of history.” 

·  Tables at the BOA Fundraising Dinner, including VIP tickets for 1908 Centenary Polo match, are strictly limited and available from www.teamgb.com/supportus or by emailing events@boa.org.uk. 

Tickets for the 1908 Centenary Polo match are priced at £18, available from www.guardspoloclub.com or by calling 01784 437797.