
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.
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Open every day 10am-6pm
(except Christmas Day)
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
With this exhibition, Te Papa focuses on Sir Peter Snell’s incredible achievements in the 1960s.
18 Apr – 11 Oct 2017
Level 2
Free entry
All ages
10 minutes
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.
Learn about the unique shoes Peter Snell wore when he won gold in the 800m race at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
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.
Arthur Lydiard (1917-2004) was a marathon runner and groundbreaking athletics coach.
An overview of the 14 significant items Peter Snell has donated to Te Papa from his personal collection, including two Olympic gold medals.
Sir Peter discusses why he donated his sporting memorabilia to Te Papa, and what he hopes people will take away from the exhibition.
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.
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