On Your Marks!

Boy with football. (click image for larger version)

21 May - 30 October 2005

This interactive exhibition, developed by the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum in Bristol gave visitors the chance to test their skills, strength and fitness. Visitors were able to find out if they could keep their cool in a penalty shoot-out and how many baskets they could score in 60 seconds. They were able to test how supple they are, and how quick their reaction times are. In addition to the interactive elements, the exhibition explored the origins, history and cultural exchange of sport around the world.

It also revealed many fascinating facts about sport and fitness, such as:

• The first ever Olympics was held in 776 BC - nearly three thousand years ago. The first modern Olympics was held in 1896.

• Sport is a Middle English word that comes from the French disport, meaning to divert or take away. This word comes from the Latin porto meaning to carry (like a porter).

• The expression hat trick originates from the early days of cricket when a bowler who achieved three consecutive wickets was entitled to receive a new top hat from his club.

• The word gymnasium comes from the Greek word gumnazein, which means to exercise naked!