Breaking Boundaries Expo

PRESS RELEASE: BREAKING BOUNDARIES EXHIBITION

The Olympic Games from Antwerp 1920 to Tokyo 2020

Sportimonium’s new exhibition ‘Breaking Boundaries’ will remain open until the 24th of december 2021. This exhibition is all about the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, the only ones ever held in Belgium. The extraordinary collection includes a prototype of the Olympic flag and the interesting story behind the first time the Olympic oath was sworn, as well as introductions to the athletes of today and yesteryear. Find out for yourself what went on at Belgium’s only Olympic Games and how the Games have developed up to Tokyo 2020.

Antwerp was chosen to host the Olympic Games 100 years ago, a reward for the heavy losses suffered by neutral Belgium during the first World War. The organizers had barely 16 months to prepare: what a challenge!

As rapidly as possible Beerschot Athletic Club was transformed into an Olympic stadium. A nautical stadium was set up along one of the city’s canals, and organizers rushed to find sites for sailing, rowing and cycling competitions. Schools, boats and hotels were commissioned to house athletes.

Despite limited preparation time, limited finances and difficult post-war conditions, the Antwerp Olympics were a success, with 2626 athletes from 29 countries on five continents taking part. Spectators saw new Olympic sports and admired promising foreign athletes including French tennis diva Suzanne Lenglen, the ‘flying’ Finns Paavo Nurmi and Hannes Kolehmainen and many others.

Moreover, the organizers brought the original Olympic ideals back to life and raised the status of the Olympic movement. Symbolizing peace, friendship and fair play, the Olympic flag was hoisted in public for the first time in Antwerp, and the Olympic oath was introduced.

But these Games were only the beginning of a major new development. The 1920 Games were still a long way away from today’s multi-cultural sporting world. And plenty of boundaries have been broken in the 100 years that separate the Antwerp Games from the ones in Tokyo, and not only by athletes. The bar has been raised many times since the Antwerp Games in areas from technology and infrastructure to gender and ethnic equality and politics.

Visitors to the exhibition can test their own limits in the second part of the exhibition. Challenges help you discover whether you are physically and mentally ready to face the Olympics. Please note that interactive modules are currently closed in accordance with health regulations.

This exhibition is an exciting journey through Belgium’s Olympic history, and fun for visitors young and old. It is especially suited for families, children and school groups – as well as sports fanatics.

The Breaking Boundaries exhibition was made possible in part thanks to support from the Baillet Latour Fund.

VISITOR INFORMATION

EXHIBITION: Breaking Boundaries. The Olympic Games from Antwerp 1920 to Tokyo 2020. In the Sportimonium Sports & Olympic Museum until the 24th of December 2021.

General director & press contact: Didier Rotsaert, telephone 015 618 222; e-mail [email protected]

Press photos: Here you find high resolution images from the exhibition. The name Sportimonium must always be mentioned. This material may not be used for commercial purposes.