Mather & Co, a leading visitor attraction and exhibition design consultancy, has announced the opening of an exhibition that celebrates a decade since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games commenced, at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The exhibition designers were responsible for exhibition configuration and layout, as well as new display elements to showcase the many objects and stories, along with graphic content.
Mather & Co project director Kim Kherlopian says: “We feel honoured to have been part of the celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the 2012 Paralympic and Olympic Games. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and we hope visitors enjoy the exhibition.”
Priceless sporting artefacts
The new exhibition, which opened on 13 April 2022, overlooks Lee Valley VeloPark’s velodrome track. The installation celebrates the sporting accomplishments of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the longstanding legacy that London 2012 created.
Memorabilia from key sporting moments are showcased at the exhibition including shoes and gloves worn by Neil Fachie MBE at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and a metal petal from London’s Olympic cauldron which was designed by Thomas Heatherwick.
Other displays feature London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Opening Ceremony torches, Opening Ceremony concept models created by Jon Bausor, Olympic and Paralympic medals, and a segment of original London 2012 running track, complete with a Paralympic running blade.
An interactive photo opportunity gets visitors involved, encouraging guests to keep the legacy alive with the hashtag #PassTheBaton on social media.
Creating real opportunities
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority chief executive Shaun Dawson says: “It is only now, 10 years on, that we can see the true scale of the incredible sporting legacy from London 2012. We are proud that Lee Valley Regional Park Authority’s three venues are at the heart of this.
“The Games inspired countless people of all ages to try new things, and as Lee Valley VeloPark gets ready to host the Commonwealth Games’ track cycling events, we know that these ground-breaking venues have created real health, well-being and sporting opportunities for communities far and wide, and will continue to do so.”
Through a fusion of the AV and graphics, content is weaved together using the London 2012 legacy ribbon, with the Paralympic exhibition continuing its tour of Britain as a natural extension of Stoke Mandeville’s the National Paralympic Heritage Centre based in Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement. Another museum celebrates Olympic and Paralympic achievements in the US.
London Legacy Development Corporation’s chief executive Lyn Garner adds: “This exhibition takes you on a journey from that wonderful summer of sport in 2012 through to the fantastic achievements since then. It is great to see that people have such fond memories of 2012 but also appreciate the legacy that has been, and continues to be, created here in east London.”
Mather & Co recently celebrated The 150th Open with a projection-mapped show in St. Andrews, home of The R&A World Golf Museum.
