An exhibition celebrating the Isle of Man’s greatest sporting stars has been opened to coincide with the Olympic Games in Paris.
Ahead of the opening of the Paris Games on July 26th, the Isle of Man Museum opened an exhibition called “The Isle of Man Olympians,” showcasing approximately 50 athletes from the island who have competed in the Olympics.
Matthew Richardson, curator at the Isle of Man National Heritage, said the incredible images and artefacts on display showed the island “punchlines above and beyond”.
He added that the “highlight” was the gold medal won by Peter Kennaugh as part of the British team pursuit cycling team at the 2012 London Olympics.
Since polo player Frederick Agnew Gill won a bronze medal in 1900, Manx sports stars have been part of the British Olympic team.
The most recent addition to that list is equestrian Yasmin Ingham, who was named a member of the eventing team for the Paris Games on Thursday.
The exhibition also features rower Sidney Swann, who became the island’s first gold medallist in 1912 but has been “forgotten” by history, Mr Richardson said.
Swann’s feat would remain unmatched until Kennaugh’s victory a century later, while the island’s best-known sports star, cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish, won silver in Rio in 2016.
Mr Richardson said while many people were aware of these achievements, there was a “long history” of lesser known Manx Olympians, such as Swann.
“We’ve been looking back through the years and trying to find stories that visitors might not be familiar with,” he said.
He said the exhibition showed “the island is worth more than what it represents.”
Sir Mark Cavendish, who won silver at the Rio 2016 Games, appears in the exhibition [PA Media]
He said it should be a source of pride for the island’s residents that “so many people have been successful at the Olympics” on an island with such a “sparse population.”
He added that Kennaugh’s medal was his own personal highlight.
“It’s not every day you get the chance to see an Olympic gold medal so I’m very grateful to Peter Kennaugh for the kindness of loaning it to me,” he said.
The free exhibition will run until February 2025.
Follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook X? You can also send your story ideas to IsleofMan@bbc.co.uk.
