With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games now 56 days away, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has congratulated the National Museum of Australia and the Olympic Museum in Lausanne on a new exhibition showcasing Olympic urban sports.
Titled “Riding the Olympic Wave; Breakthrough Sports”, the exhibition features a display of instillations connected with 3x3 basketball, breaking, BMX freestyle, skateboarding and surfing.
AOC President Ian Chesterman says the exhibition comes during an exciting time for Olympic sport in Australia.
“The sports featured in this excellent exhibition reflect the evolution of the Games from the first modern Olympics - Athens 1896, to the Olympics in the 21st century – Paris 2024.
“We had one Australian Olympian in Paris at those inaugural Games in Edwin Flack and this year we expect to take around 460 athletes including athletes from the urban sports showcased in this exhibition.
“We have already selected surfers, sports climbers and breakers, while athletes from 3x3 basketball, skateboarding and BMX will be named in the coming weeks.
“As Chef de Mission in Tokyo 2020, I witnessed how these sports embraced the Olympic movement – its spirit and its values. Those athletes deeply cared about representing their country on the Olympic stage.
“This is a significant collaboration between the National Museum of Australia and the Olympic Museum, one we hope will continue to flourish as we head towards our home Olympics in Brisbane 2032,” Mr Chesterman said.
National Museum director Katherine McMahon commended the exhibition for appealing to new audiences.
“This dynamic exhibition explores how youth culture has transformed the Olympics for a new generation - we’re so pleased to bring this story alive by bringing this show to Australian audiences,” Ms McMahon said.
The exhibition is a collaboration between the Museum and the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.
“It is wonderful to see this exhibition tailored for an Australian audience, creating opportunities for dialogue and conversation ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and building excitement and anticipation for Brisbane 2032,” said Angelita Teo, Director of the Olympic Museum.
The Exhibition will be on display in the National Museum of Australia’s Grandel Atrium until 30 September 2024 - find out more.
