Commenting today Philip Dunne said: "I was very pleased Much Wenlock was included on the 2012 Olympics Roadshow tour, as it should be given its strong historic connection with the Olympian movement. Much Wenlock put its best foot forward for a role in the run up to the 2012 London Olympics.
This clearly left a powerful impression on the distinguished visitors who included Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee and also a member of the British Olympic Committee as well as British Olympian triple jumper Jonathan Edwards, a member of the British Olympic Committee and Chairman of the athletes sub-group, as well as officials from the Department of Culture, Media & Sport who were also present.
It is important now for the community to work out the most appropriate and suitable role it should put forward for Much Wenlock in the run up to the Games. This should provide an enduring legacy for Much Wenlock which will cement its position at the heart of the Olympian Movement in the UK.
I look forward to playing my part in helping to draw together a consensus over what this should be, working with the Wenlock Olympian Society and other community leaders."
Sir Philip Craven spoke warmly of the recognition of the role played by Much Wenlock and in particular by Dr William Penny Brookes in providing much of the inspiration for Pierre de Coubertin, in encouraging him to develop the modern Olympic Games in Athens. Jonathan Edwards, who is leading British Olympic athletes' support for 2012, also paid tribute to Much Wenlock's existing games and historic traditions. He gave some words of encouragement to the young athletes present.
Mr Dunne said: "It did not raise my hopes for bringing a 2012 Olympics event to Much Wenlock, but I have no doubt at all that Much Wenlock will play an important role in the run up to 2012 and hopefully for years to follow."
Photo: Olympic triple-jump hero Jonathan Edwards (left) brings 2012 Olympics Roadshow to Much Wenlock where he is greeted by Philip Dunne MP and Roy Rogers (right) President of the Wenlock Olympian Society.
