Much Wenlock has a special place in the history of the modern Olympic games - and perhaps it could help to resolve a potential crisis in Moscow.

Dr William Penny Brooks established an athletic competition modelled on the original Grecian Olympic Games at Much Wenlock in 1850. He corresponded with like-minded sporting enthusiasts in France and Greece leading to the development of the modern Olympic games in Greece later in the century. That spirit of co-operation was under threat in 1980 when the Moscow games were hit by boycotts over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Could Much Wenlock provide an alternative?

Dr William Penny Brooks established an athletic competition modelled on the original Grecian Olympic Games at Much Wenlock in 1850. He corresponded with like-minded sporting enthusiasts in France and Greece leading to the development of the modern Olympic games in Greece later in the century. That spirit of co-operation was under threat in 1980 when the Moscow games were hit by boycotts over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Could Much Wenlock provide an alternative?