ExhibitionsClosed

Peter Snell: Medal-Winning MagicPeter Snell: Te Kaha Whakawhiwhinga Mētera

With this exhibition, Te Papa focuses on Sir Peter Snell’s incredible achievements in the 1960s.

When | Āhea

18 Apr – 11 Oct 2017

Where | Ki hea

Level 2

Cost | Te utu

Free entry

Ages | TE REANGA

All ages

Allow | ME WHAKARITE

10 minutes

Accessibility | E wātea ana ki

wheelchair accessible

Find out more about accessibility at Te Papa

He was one of the world’s greatest athletes in one of the world’s most admired sports – middle-distance running. During his athletic career, he won three Olympic gold medals and two British Empire and Commonwealth Games gold medals, and set at least six world records.

Snell powered to international track stardom using the revolutionary training methods of his coach, Arthur Lydiard, who led the finest era in New Zealand athletics from the early 1950s to the mid 1960s.

The display features two of Sir Peter Snell’s Olympic gold medals and one of his running shoes made by his coach, Arthur Lydiard.

Footage of these three dramatic Olympic races screens continuously.

Discover moreKia kitea ake

Watch: Peter Snell’s winning shoes
Learn about the unique shoes Peter Snell wore when he won gold in the 800m race at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Who was Peter Snell?
During his athletic career Sir Peter Snell won three Olympic gold medals, two British Empire and Commonwealth Games gold medals, and set at least six world records.
Who was Arthur Lydiard?
Arthur Lydiard (1917-2004) was a marathon runner and groundbreaking athletics coach.
Peter Snell’s donated objects
An overview of the 14 significant items Peter Snell has donated to Te Papa from his personal collection, including two Olympic gold medals.
Watch: Sir Peter Snell hands over his Olympic memorabilia to Te Papa
Sir Peter discusses why he donated his sporting memorabilia to Te Papa, and what he hopes people will take away from the exhibition.
Peter Snell: ‘I love this country, and this is proof of it’
Wed 19 Apr 2017
An emotional Sir Peter Snell has said that gifting us his objects has helped ‘ease the guilt’ he has felt for basing himself overseas.
News He pānui