Olympic cities at Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is celebrating the London Olympics in style this summer with a round-the-world tour of the ‘Cities of the Modern Games’, a new exhibition of beautiful photographs of host cities

As the excitement for London 2012 builds, the capital’s iconic Tower Bridge’s new exhibition, which opened on 2 May and runs until 30 September 2012, celebrates Olympic host cities, past and present, in glorious full colour.

The 26 large-scale (117cm x 82cm) 
images of all past host cities of the modern games, from Athens in 1896 to Beijing in 2008 line Tower Bridge’s impressive high-level walkways – which are worth visiting just for the view, one of the best in the city.

The exhibition ‘Cities of the Modern Games’ explores the origins, the evolution and the unparalleled success of the world’s most significant sporting event. Travelling through decades of history, each of the 26 hosting cities are represented with a striking photograph that best captures the spirit of the games, beginning with the crumbling ruins of Athens in 1896 and journeying through 116 years to arrive the bright lights of London as it today.

Highlights include stunning views of the Champs-Elysées in Paris and Red Square in Moscow by night, the iconic Sydney Opera House from the air and the imposing sight of Mount Fuji near Tokyo.

Winner of 11 Olympic Gold Medals, paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE opened the exhibition. Speaking to BRITAIN magazine, she said: “In this huge year for London, Tower Bridge will be at the centre of attention, and this timely exhibition of cities that have hosted the modern games brings back some wonderful memories for me.”

The exhibition has an interactive element. You are invited to channel your inner Olympian and try your hand at a game of Tower Quoits or Bascule Hoopla, though competitive dads are warned to play with caution, as it is extremely addictive.

Cities of the Modern Games from 2 May to 30 September. Please visit www.towerbridge.org.uk for more details. And read the essential guide to what to see and do in the latest issue of BRITAIN on sale now!