Marathon misses and more in British Library's Olympex 2012: Collecting the Olympic Games

London 2012 Olympics: Olympex 2012: Collecting the Olympic Games, British Library, London, until September 9 2012

In a somewhat rueful tale of what might have been, athlete Thomas Jack held the lead for Great Britain for the first five miles of the marathon in the 1908 Summer Olympics. But after stopping at one of the pubs acting as an official refreshment point during the race, Jack never completed the sixth mile.

His so near yet several miles far story is one of hundreds told by the British Library, which has formed a well-advised partnership with the International Olympic Committee, whose past is thoroughly documented across thousands of stamps, original letters, postcards, artworks and typically iconic posters here.

The emphasis lies on the personal stories beneath centuries of Olympic history. A swimming costume from Jack’s era and a finishing tape broken by legendary early 20th century runner Dorando Pietri (prior to his disqualification) are among the highlights, with a particular focus on the current Games and its predecessors in 1908 and 1948.

You can create your own souvenir by “mailing” an item in exchange for an Olympic postmark at a special Collectors’ Cabin on the piazza, or have your photo taken with the Olympic torch.

And there’s certain inspiration to be had in the audio interviews section, which welcomes relay runner Bill Roberts (from 1936 in Berlin), runner Sandy Duncan (who would become general secretary of the British Olympic Association) and Dorothy Tyler, a medal-winning high jumper who is one of the voices capable of recounting the experience of competing in Nazi Germany, and therefore able to recall Team GB’s decision not to salute Hitler.

“The exhibition captures the Olympic spirit that London is feeling at the moment,” says the Library’s Roger Walshe.

“We hope to present a unique and personal side to the Olympic Games.”

• Open 10am-6pm (8pm Tuesday, 5pm Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday and most public holidays). Admission free. Visit the recordings online to hear some of the stories.