How many hours of training does it take to win a gold medal? Will a sharkskin swimming suit really make you swim faster? And where would you draw the line between fair play and downright cheating?

Sports Lab is a brand new family-friendly exhibition created by Museums Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University which answers these questions and many more. Featuring examples of cutting edge sports technology and historic memorabilia such as Sheffield FC’s first rule book, Sports Lab will show just what it takes to get to the top in sport.

As well as showcasing a wealth of sporting icons, from a Penny Farthing bike to the football used in the 2010 World Cup Final, Sports Lab is all about having a go yourself. Visitors will be able to compete in a virtual cycle race around Sheffield, test their reaction speed in a ‘Batak’ test, get a rider’s eye view from a skeleton bob sleigh, and throw some moves on an electronic dance floor.

Sports Lab was created in partnership with the Centre for Sports Engineering Research at Sheffield Hallam University. Following its début in Sheffield, the exhibition will tour to the V&A Museum of Childhood in 2012, the year of the London Olympics.

Launch Day, Saturday 29 January 10.30am–5pm, Free Entry

Weston Park is located opposite Sheffield Children’s Hospital on Western Bank, within easy reach of Sheffield city centre. For details of how to find us visit: www.museums-sheffield.org.uk