Living the dream at the Rochester Sports Museum

A new exhibition at the Rochester Sports Museum celebrates Australia’s Olympic history

ROCHESTER’S Sports Museum is set to add to its already amazing array of sporting memorabilia with a one-off Olympic Exhibition to coincide with the upcoming Tokyo Games.

The Olympic collection will be on show from July to September and includes a range of items on loan from past Olympians.

The original permanent display will remain in the north room whilst the Olympic display will be on show in the adjacent South room, filling the space that will house a yet-to-be announced collection in October.

Australian cycling identity Tim Decker, himself a 2016 Rio Olympian, has loaned his impressive collection including uniforms, racing gloves, race bike shoes, signed team jerseys and other items.

Decker is well known to Australian cycling fans as the current Men’s National Track Endurance Coach at Cycling Australia – a role in which he has enjoyed considerable success – notably with his Australian team pursuit squad breaking the world record with 3.49.804 at the 2018 Commonwealth Games (the first sub 3.50 ride in history).

Decker’s pursuit team looms as one of Australian cycling’s best chances for a gold medal in Tokyo.

BMX rider Sam Willoughby came to fame in 2012 in his first Olympics taking the Silver Medal – Australia’s only ever medal in BMX.

Willoughby has competed at elite level BMX across the world and racked up the longest winning streak ever on the USA PRO circuit.

He has kindly loaned his 2016 medal winning BMX and helmet for the display. These items have been borrowed through the Australian BMX Museum.

Several items are unique including a line marker from the 1956 Melbourne Games and a Choir Outfit from the 2000 Sydney Games.

A cauldron from the 2000 Sydney torch relay which was used to light the torch each day during the procession run will be a centrepiece of the display.

The cauldron stands one metre high and a metre in diameter. This has been loaned by the Shire of Campaspe for the Exhibition.

Many will recall the 2000 Torch relay with locals across the country participating. Rochester’s runners will be highlighted at the exhibition with an actual torch on display.

Visitors to the Rochester Sports Museum can take in both collections ensuring a memorable experience.

Open from Thursday through Sunday, school holidays and public holidays, the Museum can also cater for group visits.

Booking and enquiries on 0418 506228. Entry is $5 per person or $10 a family.

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