London 2012: Poetry of the Olympic Games
An artist's impression of ancient Olympia. (Image: Wiki Commons)
Poetry and sport enjoy a long and moderately illustrious relationship.
Odes to Olympian ideals date back to ancient Greece, the birthplace of the Games; poets have contested for medals at modern Olympic Games; and the strivings of athletes have inspired great swathes of poetry reaching far beyond the Olympics.
London-based poetry performance ensemble Live Canon, led by director Helen Eastman, has assembled a collection of Olympic- and sport-themed poetry. We’ll be posting selected performances by actors Alex Bartram and Claire Redcliffe as the Games go on.
Latest: ‘Translating the British, 2012′ by Carol Ann Duffy
Britain’s Poet Laureate has written an ode to a people weighed down by banking scandals and buoyed by the Olympic Games.
‘Synchronized Swimming’ by James Kirkup
Performed by Claire Redcliffe
‘Laurel of Hellas’, by Aale Tynni (Finland)
Gold medal winner for lyric poetry, 1948 Summer Olympics in London
Performed by Alex Bartram
Excerpt from ‘Rhythm of the Stadium’, by Gilbert Prouteau (France)
Bronze medal winner for lyric poetry, 1948 Summer Olympics in London
Introduced and performed by Alex Bartram
Excerpt from ‘Great North’, by Colette Bryce
Performed by Claire Redcliffe
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