The stories of our very first Olympians and those of the last athletes to travel by ship to the Olympic Games are celebrated in an exciting museum exhibition opening in Wellington this week. The new London Olympic exhibition spans three Olympic Games each taking place in London and is open to the public at Queens Wharf from today. From the first Olympic Games held in 1908 where New Zealand won its first medal, to 1948 where the athletes competed in a war-ravaged city to this years Olympic Games featuring state-of-the-art venues and facilities, New Zealands involvement in the three London Olympic Games are brought to life. The exhibition is part of New Zealand Olympic Committees plan to mark the Olympic Games this year and to celebrate New Zealands proud Olympic history. The new museum exhibition will invite Kiwis to send a message to this years Olympic Team and search records through the on-line interactive museum resources. Visitors will also be able to look at old London blazers from 1948, photographs and other memorabilia. Museum director Charles Callis said the new exhibition aimed to generate further excitement and enthusiasm for the London Olympic Games. He says he hopes to engage visitors with the many proud and varied connections the Olympics has with Kiwi culture for over 100 years. Secretary General Kereyn Smith was delighted to announce the exhibitions opening. London 2012 will be an exciting Olympic Games for us, she said. Were expecting our 100th Olympic medal at London 2012 and are confident our athletes stories and achievements will add to our proud Olympic history and build on the important collections already housed at the Olympic Museum. The Olympic Museum was founded in 1998 and is located on Queens Wharf, TSB Bank Arena in Wellington. Make your next trip to Wellington a worth-while one and visit the museum and the new exhibition. The London Olympic Games run from 27 July - 12 August 2012, and New Zealand will have approximately 200 athletes competing in 17 sports. The London Exhibition runs through to December 2012. London 1908 Olympic Summer Games
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