Penn State Alumnus Harold "Hal" Wilson, '51, will be on hand to talk about his Olympic collection comprising the exhibit "Faster, Higher and Stronger: The Modern Olympic Games," from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 6, in the Frank and Mary J. Smeal Foundation Exhibits Hall, 104 Paterno Library, University Park. The exhibit is on display through Sept. 17.
Wilson, a library leader, has collected Olympic materials since childhood, including programs, tickets, brochures, maps, pins, mascots and medals from the 1912 Stockholm games through the 2006 Torino games. Among the most notable items in Wilson's collection are a relay torch used in the 1984 Los Angeles games and a plush mascot, "Amik," from the 1976 Montreal games. The exhibit also includes University Archives collection materials about Penn Staters who have competed and participated in the Olympic Games.
The modern Olympic Games are an international, multi-sport event held every four years, alternating between summer and winter competitions. Founded by French nobleman, Pierre Fredy, Baron de Coubertin, the first modern games were held in Athens, Greece in 1896.
The 2008 games have just concluded in Beijing, China. The Olympic Creed states "the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."
The most recognizable Olympic symbol is the Olympic rings: the rings represent unity of the five inhabited continents. The five colors: red, blue, green, yellow and black were chosen to represent at least one color from each national flag.
For information, contact Jackie R. Esposito at jxe2@psu.edu, (814) 863-3791.