Quick question, how did the idea that it is a white elephant deveolop? Was it sat empty for a while after the Games?

No, it is one of the Athens stadiums which was continuously in use after the games till today. But you know, for some people here ignorance is the only consultant.

So where did the rumour come from that it was a white elephant? Was it not paying for itself despite being well-used?

No, this stadium was always in use without any problems from 1982 till today...Ask the people who are into these rumours from where they got their facts..
Obviously, people are confusing the Calatrava stadium with some other olympic venues in Athens, which actually are not in use after the Games. But for sure, the main Olympic stadium was NEVER one of these. Very typical for a part of the british press, strongly anti-greek for the very first day Athens get the 2004 games, to make rumours without any control in real facts. It seems it sounds more spectacular saying "the big calatrava super duper white stadium which costed trillions is now empty", than "the canoe-cayak venue in south Athens is not in use after the games".

They're not anti-Greek. You're starting to sound like a Russian. Can we have a word filter that bans the words "British Press" being typed on this forum because I'm fed up with reading these words next to each other.

But yes, possibly it was the other venues in the park which led to this wrong belief about the stadium.

Wow,

RobH, Gondolier suggested it wasn't being used to its full potential, he is obviously and most likely innocently mistaken. Well it sure hit a nerve of some posters which inturn saw "petty Australia" and the "British press" caught up in it. Apparently this stadium is beyond reproach.

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/87618/olympic.jpg

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/38359/oaka_2_b.jpg

:cheers:

No, this stadium was always in use without any problems from 1982 till today...Ask the people who are into these rumours from where they got their facts..
Obviously, people are confusing the Calatrava stadium with some other olympic venues in Athens, which actually are not in use after the Games. But for sure, the main Olympic stadium was NEVER one of these. Very typical for a part of the british press, strongly anti-greek for the very first day Athens get the 2004 games, to make rumours without any control in real facts. It seems it sounds more spectacular saying "the big calatrava super duper white stadium which costed trillions is now empty", than "the canoe-cayak venue in south Athens is not in use after the games".

That was just the stupidity of the Athens Olympic Games Organizing Committee for not proposing more temporary stadiums for sports that it should have known were not popular in Greece. Stadiums and venues such as these should have been temporary, you can't claim it as some sort of national training centre if it only gets used once or twice a year. Athletes can travel to other countries that have the dedicated venues for that.

Actually I think that most of the venues, earlier or later, found other uses. For excample, Badminton venue, dedicated to a sport almost completely unpopular in Greece, transformed into "The Badminton Theater", which is Athens' biggest theater now.

http://www.badmintontheater.gr/images/theater/5520.jpg

http://www.badmintontheater.gr/images/theater/5599.jpg
http://www.badmintontheater.gr/

As for canoe cayak, I think that it is hired and used as a private canoe kayak club, but I m not sure.

Every single facility that is related to the 2004 Summer games, and its use

(Olympic complex was built between 1982-1994 and was renovated in 2002-2004)
Athens Olympic Stadium (OAKA)
Opening & Closing Ceremonies, Track & Field, Football
Home pitch for Panathinaikos FC, AEK FC(football; Greek Super League, UEFA Champions League), Greek national football team (some matches), International football competitions; Track & Field events (e.g. IAAF Athens Grand Prix), Concerts

Athens Olympic Indoor Hall
Home court for Panathinaikos BC and AEK BC (Greek basketball league); Greek National Basketball Team, International basketball competitions, Concerts

Athens Olympic Aquatic Centre
Swimming, Diving, Synchronized Swimming, Water Polo
Domestic and international swimming meets,Public pool

Athens Olympic Tennis Centre
Domestic and international tennis matches

Athens Olympic Velodrome
Domestic and international cycling meets (only velodrome in the country)

Peace and Friendship Stadium
Volleyball
Home court for Olympiacos BC (basketball), Concerts, Conventions and trade shows

Helliniko Olympic Indoor Arena
Basketball, Handball
Home court for Panionios BC (basketball), Conventions and trade shows

Hellinikon Canoe/Kayak Slalom Centre
Canoe/Kayak
Turned over to a private consortium (J&P AVAX, GEP, Corfu Waterparks and BIOTER), plans to convert it to a water park

Hellinikon Olympic Hockey Centre
Field Hockey
Mini-football, will be part of new Hellinikon metropolitan park complex

Hellinikon Baseball Stadium
Baseball
Converted to football pitch, home field of Ethnikos Piraeus F.C. (Football; Greek second division)

Hellinikon Softball Stadium
Softball
Concerts

Agios Kosmas Olympic Sailing Centre
Sailing
Turned over to the private sector (Seirios AE), will become marina with 1,000+ yacht capacity and will be part of Athens' revitalized waterfront

Ano Liosia Olympic Hall
Judo, Wrestling
TV filming facility, Future home of the Hellenic Academy of Culture and Hellenic Digital Archive

Olympic Beach Volleyball Centre
Concert and theater venue

Faliro Sports Pavilion
Handball, Taekwondo
Converted to the Athens International Convention Center, hosts concerts, conventions and trade shows

Galatsi Olympic Hall
Table Tennis, Rhythmic Gymnastics
After 2004, was the home court of AEK BC (basketball) before the team moved to the Athens Olympic Indoor Hall. Turned over to the private sector (Acropol Haragionis AE and Sonae Sierra SGPS S.A), being converted to a shopping mall and retail/entertainment complex.

Goudi Olympic Complex Badminton,
Modern Pentathlon
Now the site of the ultra-modern Badminton Theater, hosting major theatrical productions

Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre
Equestrian Horse racing
Domestic and International Equestrian meets, Auto racing (rallye)

Markopoulo Olympic Shooting Centre
Converted to the official shooting range and training center of the Hellenic Police.

Nikaia Olympic Weightlifting Hall
Τurned over to the University of Piraeus for use as an academic lecture and conference center.

Parnitha Olympic Mountain Bike Venue
Part of the Parnitha National Park. In public use for biking and hiking.

Peristeri Olympic Boxing Hall
Partially converted to a football pitch, also in use for gymnastics competitions.

Schinias Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Centre
One of only three FISA-approved training centers in the world, the others being in Munich and Seville. Hosts domestic and international rowing and canoeing meets.
Part of the Schinias National Park, completely reconstructed by the German company Hochtief.

Vouliagmeni Olympic Centre
Triathlon
Temporary facility, not in existence presently.

Kaftanzoglio Stadium
Football
Home pitch for Iraklis FC (football; Greek Super League)and temporary home pitch for Apollon Kalamarias FC (football; Greek second division). Also in use for track and field meets. Hosted the 2007 Greek football All-Star Game.

Karaiskaki Stadium
Football
Home pitch for Olympiacos FC (football; Greek Super League) and for the Greek National Football team. Also used as a concert venue.

Pampeloponnisiako Stadium
Football
Home pitch for Panahaiki FC (football; Greek third division).Also used for various track-and-field events, concerts, conventions, and friendly matches of the Greek National Football Team.

Pankritio Stadium
Football
Home pitch for OFI FC and Ergotelis FC (football; Greek Super League). Hosted the 2005 Greek football All-Star game. Also home to various track-and-field meets.

Panthessaliko Stadium
Football
Home pitch for Niki Volou FC (football; Greek third division). Has also hosted concerts, conventions and track-and-field meets. Will also serve as the main stadium for the 2013 Mediterranean Games.

Panathainaiko Stadium
Marathon, Archery
Site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. tourist attraction, also used for occasional sporting and concert events.

The Ancient Stadium at Olympia
Track and Field
Archaeological site and tourist attraction

International Broadcast Centre (IBC)
Has been turned over to the private company Lambda Development SA and has been converted to a shopping, retail, office and entertainment complex known as the "Golden Hall."

Main Press Centre (MPC)
Has been converted to the new headquarters of the Greek Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity

Olympic Village
Housing
2,292 apartments were sold to low-income individuals and today the village is home to over 8,000 residents.

Actually I think that most of the venues, earlier or later, found other uses. For excample, Badminton venue, dedicated to a sport almost completely unpopular in Greece, transformed into "The Badminton Theater", which is Athens' biggest theater now.

http://www.badmintontheater.gr/images/theater/5520.jpg



Nice.

Durban 2020

image hosted on flickr (http://www.flickr.com)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5071398388_9568e9dc40_z.jpg
image hosted on flickr (http://www.flickr.com)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1345/5111027361_741fefbd73_z.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/4396132300_4cc6d0aa1d_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4579686455_17abf3fbf9_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4719964612_5f6b7f4428_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4672791119_274a2b57c6_z.jpg
http://www.inverter-china.com/blog/upload/moses-mabhida-stadium-durban.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4853304783_87758274fd_z.jpg
http://www.skyscanner.net/news/moses_mabhida_stadium.jpg

http://www.fifa.com/mm/photo/tournament/competition/01/15/75/01/1157501_full-lnd.jpg
http://groupfive.investoreports.com/corporate/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/MOSES-MABHIDA-MAIN-PIC.jpg
http://interiordesignhouses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Moses-Mabhida-Stadium.jpg
http://interiordesignhouses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/World-Cup-2010-South-Africa.jpg
http://interiordesignhouses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Moses-Mabhida-Stadium-South-Africa-World-Cup-2010.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4696827339_5e5bfd45a3_z.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2717/4412589825_b8a5055dfc_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4746094669_2a383899e1_z.jpg

I will admit one thing as much as I hate to please MoRush, the Durban stadium is a stunning masterpiece. ;)

Durban is nice, but it s only a wanna be olympic stadium!

Durban is nice, but it s only a wanna be olympic stadium!

Well, it's far more ready and real than those other wanna-be Olympic stadia of Istanbul, Madrid and the non-existent Tokyo one!!

I agree that Chicago would make a fantastic host for the Olympics in either 2024/28.

However, I wouldn't mind some other US cities giving serious thought also - maybe some of the "nicer Atlanta's", such as Seattle or Boston. I think there could even be a certain merit and lure to Washington DC putting forth a serious bid. They went for 2012 in the domestic bid, but with Baltimore. If planned well enough, they could probably do it alone. What do American's think of this?

I think San Francisco would be an amazing location, if the IOC isn't put off by the idea of not just another American Olympics, but *another* Californian Olympics.

Obviously the two Texas cities, Dallas and Houston will try and make an bid, but to the outside world Texas represents many negative things about the US - and these two cities seem too much like Atlanta.

So in summary, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, San Francisco and Washington DC = :cheers:

If and when the US bids for the Summer Olympics, I would love to see either Washington DC or San Francisco bid.

I said this before but DC could have an AMAZING Olympic stadium if it just does one little thing: destroy RFK Stadium. No one plays there (aside from DC United which is in dire need of a new stadium). On the plus side, it's on an amazing location and would provide a awesome backdrop for the Olympic games. A 90,000 seat stadium could be built on the site of RFK, then when the Olympics are over, give it to the NFL so the Redskins can actually play in DC.

http://fingerfood.typepad.com/.a/6a012875949499970c01287594d677970c-pi

DC also made a preliminary Olympic stadium during it's bid for the 2012 games.
http://www.meticulous.com/media/portfolio_img/3d/2012/rfk_final.jpg

San Francisco is similar to DC. Get rid of Candlestick Park, let the 49ers play in Stanford for a few years, build a new Olympic stadium on the site, after the games, give it to the NFL.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f3/CandlestickPanoramaSept08.JPG

Interesting use of English and French signage/scoreboard use. I guess it was selective and not used for all venues/events?

Hi All

I think we can all agree that there is a reasonable number of images that can be posted.

Please keep the images on topic, and please limit them to a reasonable amount.

The LA Games post length and number of images was not reasonable

I know that my post was excessive but practice what you preach. No need to post all those pictures of the Durban Stadium.

These are not heavy. But any thread, after 60 full screen photos becomes unreadable. And since this is a talk about the general history of Olympic facilities, which do you think is the best Olympic complex ever in general?

Interesting use of English and French signage/scoreboard use. I guess it was selective and not used for all venues/events?

If I understand what you mean, you have to know that French is the official language of the IOC and Olympics, so, French signage is compulsory (and the speakers in the stadiums/venues have to speak in French in addition of English + the local language) !

I remember during Beijing 2008 (sorry, I mean: Pékin 2008 :D), the Chinese organization committee was reprimanded by the IOC and by the International Francophonie Organization because they didn't use French signage in all venues !



For example, here is the beginning of the Αθήνα/Athènes/Athens 2004 opening ceremony (the speaker in the Olympic Stadium spoke in Greek, French and English):

"Citoyens du Monde, bienvenue à la grande fête d'Athènes .......... Jeux Olympiques, bienvenue de nouveau en Grèce" :cheers:
KCu8975JjTo

Bonus: (just because I loved this moment during the 2004 opening ceremony):
U3XWrUQZ-W0

These are not heavy. But any thread, after 60 full screen photos becomes unreadable. And since this is a talk about the general history of Olympic facilities, which do you think is the best Olympic complex ever in general?

I'm going to be biased. Even though the LA Olympics were spread across most of Los Angeles County, the center of the games were focused around the University of Southern California in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles. West Adam's is one of Los Angeles's oldest neighborhoods with HUGE mansions and powerful old Spanish/Roman style buildings. Plus the feeling of the Olympics hasn't left. Even today if you were to go there during a Trojan game, you get this very heavy and electric feeling as if you are going to the Olympic games. It really makes you proud that your city hosted the Olympics.

I know that my post was excessive but practice what you preach. No need to post all those pictures of the Durban Stadium.

There is reasonable and then there is unreasonable. So yes, I do practice what I preach.

17 pictures of a stadium that may or may not host the Olympics is not reasonable.

Fortunately, thats for me to decide, regardless of how big a fan of the LA Games I am and of most things Olympic Games. So, yes I appreciated the entire post. But given the thread title, and length of the your post, it was not reasonable.

Let me know once you're done counting the images in your post.

In fact, I will gladly open a general Olympic thread, where you may split that post of yours into several posts, since it is very interesting information.

Well considering the fact that Durban hasn't hosted the Olympics AT ALL kind of negates your post. Just sayin....

In any event.

LA 32
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=171850

LA 84
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=184406

I'll be sure to open a "Proposed Olympic Stadia" thread.

If I understand what you mean, you have to know that French is the official language of the IOC and Olympics, so, French signage is compulsory (and the speakers in the stadiums/venues have to speak in French in addition of English + the local language) !

I remember during Beijing 2008 (sorry, I mean: Pékin 2008 :D), the Chinese organization committee was reprimanded by the IOC and by the International Francophonie Organization because they didn't use French signage in all venues !

For example, here is the beginning of the Αθήνα/Athènes/Athens 2004 opening ceremony (the speaker in the Olympic Stadium spoke in Greek, French and English):

"Citoyens du Monde, bienvenue à la grande fête d'Athènes .......... Jeux Olympiques, bienvenue de nouveau en Grèce" :cheers:


I meant for Los Angeles 1984. They used say Finish/Arivee for the marathon or whatever end, used French in the scoreboard at the main stadium, but why not say the signage that states "Games of the XXIIIrd Olympiad" "Los Angeles California". Or made announcements in French during the opening/closing ceremonies? I know for a fact that Lake Placid 1980 used English and French equally, in both signage and announcements.

Just a thought...

Up!

Is it possible to include London & Rio in the poll?

Up!

Is it possible to include London & Rio in the poll?

london is ok,pretty,but looks ordinary,rio?which one are the main stadium?

I'm a fan of the stadiums with a long standing legacy. Where some may be as worthy as others I put it to personal taste.

Melbourne MCG
Los Angeles Coliseum
Berlin Olympic Stadium
Atlanta Turner Field

Many are striking in appearance but have had trouble being suitable for other sports
Beijing
Montreal
Barcalona

I have no love for the highly rated Munich and Athens.

Sydney to me is a good functional venue but rather bland, it doesn't hold much atmosphere when the crowd is under 45 000. The MCG is still great at 30 000.

Melbourne MCG
Los Angeles Coliseum
Berlin Olympic Stadium
Atlanta Turner Field


all of them ar ugly

all of them ar ugly

Subjective.
Athens is Ugly to me, Berlin is fantastic.
Sydney is functional but d doesn't have the mystique of the MCG.
The LA Coliseum is a classic which raised the bar of Olympic Stadiums.
I don't see Atlanta a ugly, not particularly interesting but not ugly. Plus it is the only Olympic stadium along with the MCG which fits its tenants like a glove, all others are somewhat compromised.
All the ones I listed are used to their full potential.

Top 10 vote getters as of this post:

Beijing: 223
Munich: 132
Sydney: 122
Athens: 94
Montreal: 43

Berlin: 42
Mexico City: 39
Los Angeles: 25
Barcelona: 19
Moscow: 18

Best Olympic stadium in what sense?
Personaly I would rate the stadia in the following order for their -
Aesthetic,
1) Sydney
2) Athens
3) Beijing

Historical value,
1) Munich
2) Berlin
3) Los Angeles

Utility,
1) Melbourne
2) Atlanta
3) London's Wembly

Futuristic for their time,
1) Montreal (Nothing can beat this beauty even in 21st century:cheers:)
2) Beijing
3) Munic

Ego boosting,
1) Beijing
2) Beijing
3) Beijing

Only for the purpose of Olympic,
1) Barcelona
2) Mexico
3) Rome
4) Stockholms
Not sure if these stadia are used for any other purpose, but look wise some of the worst looking structure ever built for the Olympics.

These are only my personal opinion and are in no way meant to hurt nationalistic sentiments.:)

my choice
Aesthetic,
beijing
Historical value,
munich
Utility,
wembley
Futuristic for their time,
athens
Ego boosting,
bejing for sure

Historical value,
1) Munich
2) Berlin
3) Los Angeles


Sorry but if there is one stadium with historical HYPER value, then it is Athens 1896. It is not only the most direct "olympic" link with the history of the games and the antiquity, but also a functional stadium, still in use (It will host the Opening Ceremony of Special Olympics soon). Everything else, just follows it.:)

http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/europe/images/panathinaiko-stadium03.jpghttp://www.traveladventures.org/continents/europe/images/panathinaiko-stadium02.jpg
http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/europe/images/panathinaiko-stadium13.jpghttp://www.meaus.com/athens1896.JPEG
http://photos1.blogger.com/img/3/1372/320/Championshomecoming.jpg

Sorry but if there is one stadium with historical HYPER value, then it is Athens 1896.:)

agreee!

I suppose Beijing's stadium was about a show of power, but I think it's hard to look past Berlin's Stadium for the ego category. It was about sheer Nazi egotism. Hitler even had his own special stand for him and his cronies built into part of the stadium so everyone could see him when they were in the stadium.

http://www.amovingtrain.com/transmissions1/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/berlin-olympics-1936-stadium.jpg

I absolutely loves Munich's stadium. It's 2011 and yet, it still looks modern.

Runner-ups in no particular order - Beijing, Athens (how can you go wrong with a Calatrava?), Helsinki.

Beijing isn't much ego as it is as Rob pointed out, a show of power and what China can do now.

Beijing needed a new modern stadium of large capacity sure, but it probably didn't need 2 stadiums. I wonder why they didn't use the stadium as the spiritual successor to Worker's Stadium and have that one torn down?

Munich's is cool, with the exception of the interior, which could use some renovating.

Too bad we can't see who voted in the poll :lol:..'cause I'd be very curious to know who has voted for Paris 1900 :nuts:... Especially because those games didn't have a proper "olympic stadium" (there wasn't real ceremonies back then and the athletics competitions took place in a field owned by the Racing Club de France in the Bois de Boulogne).
Actually, the main "stadium" of the 1900 games was the vélodrome de Vincennes (which is still in use and remained almost unchanged since the 1900 games :yes:).

Aesthetic,
Beijing

Historical value,
Athens (Kalimarmaro)

Utility,
London (Stratford; Upcoming)

Futuristic for their time,
Beijing

Ego boosting,
Berlin, UGH!!! :bash:

Montreal: I just wish they'd re-establish the seating bowl inside.

Sorry but if there is one stadium with historical HYPER value, then it is Athens 1896. It is not only the most direct "olympic" link with the history of the games and the antiquity, but also a functional stadium, still in use (It will host the Opening Ceremony of Special Olympics soon). Everything else, just follows it.:)

http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/europe/images/panathinaiko-stadium03.jpghttp://www.traveladventures.org/continents/europe/images/panathinaiko-stadium02.jpg

I agree! I have actually visited this stadium on a school trip once! Being a track runner myself I'm astonished that the running events took place in a stadium with such tight turns!

Fun fact: I actually got to run the original 200m (which is my specialty race) track, although more like a stretch of land, at the original ancient site at Olympia!

Beijing isn't much ego as it is as Rob pointed out, a show of power and what China can do now.
Isn't that the definition of ego?

^^ Perhaps, but the ego implied in Berlin's case would be simply building something grand and big to show that the Germans were supposedly the master race.

Beijing is just a showcase of technical skill, essentially all it is is a mere basic stadium bowl with an elaborate wrapping so to speak.

Perhaps, but the ego implied in Berlin's case would be simply building something grand and big to show that the Germans were supposedly the master race.
The stadium in Berlin that got actually built is reasonably sized. It was certainly state-of-the-art. But not bigger than already existing stadiums in Wembley and Hamden. That's hardly a sign of superiority or a show-off attitude.

beijing is best by far,followed by london,athens,munich,montreal and sydney

Munich, i love that roof and how the stadium is placed on the hill.
http://www.fanline08.at/de/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/deutschland1988.jpg

The stadium in Berlin that got actually built is reasonably sized. It was certainly state-of-the-art. But not bigger than already existing stadiums in Wembley and Hamden. That's hardly a sign of superiority or a show-off attitude.

You're talking about now, not back then. Back in 1936, the stadium sat more than 100,000. One could argue as much or more than 110,000, enough to rival the likes of Sydney's Olympic Stadium (during the 2000 games, not now) and Melbourne's Cricket Ground (during the 1956 games, not now) as having boasted the largest Olympic Stadium ever.

It IS a sign of show-off attitude because originally, when Berlin bid for the 1936 Olympics (which was before the Nazis went to power) they proposed to use Deutsches Stadion, located on the same site, originally built for the aborted 1916 Olympics. When the Nazis came to power, they rebuilt the existing Deutsches Stadion, into what it is today. Comparing the two, you have a totally different stadium. In effect Deutsches Stadion was used as a foundation for the present Olympiastadion.

The stadium in Berlin that got actually built is reasonably sized. It was certainly state-of-the-art. But not bigger than already existing stadiums in Wembley and Hamden. That's hardly a sign of superiority or a show-off attitude.

Hitler wanted a 3rd tier, but 2 years were too short to build a stadium for 150,000 people. The plans for the 3rd tier were droped in mid 1935.

You're talking about now, not back then. Back in 1936, the stadium sat more than 100,000. One could argue as much or more than 110,000, enough to rival the likes of Sydney's Olympic Stadium (during the 2000 games, not now) and Melbourne's Cricket Ground (during the 1956 games, not now) as having boasted the largest Olympic Stadium ever.
Hamden Park held 150'000 people in the 1930s. Even Ibrox Park saw crowds as big as 118'000. How you can regard 100'000 or 110'000 as show-off capacity is completely beyond me. The proportion of the stadium fitted perfectly well and they still do.

Bejjing Bird Nest

Hamden Park held 150'000 people in the 1930s. Even Ibrox Park saw crowds as big as 118'000. How you can regard 100'000 or 110'000 as show-off capacity is completely beyond me. The proportion of the stadium fitted perfectly well and they still do.

Those stadiums you have mentioned never hosted the Olympics.

Originally Hitler wanted more, but as the games drew near they could only do with what was finished.

Those stadiums you have mentioned never hosted the Olympics.
They didn't had to. They still existed at this time.

Munich, i love that roof and how the stadium is placed on the hill.
http://www.fanline08.at/de/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/deutschland1988.jpg

I agree, 39 years later and this stadium still look innovative.

I'd like to say that I find it disturbing that Montreal almost has as many votes as Berlin. Athens and Berlin are about tied for my top two.

Sochi 2014 will have best stadium !

Till this day i believe so far is Beijing !

Only because I live about 5 miles away from it. LA is very proud of it's Olympic history and the Coliseum is a huge part of it.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2347/2037428061_b4765459fb_o.jpg

Athens 2004 Olympic Stadium is my favorite it's elegant and functional

1896 stadium is functional, too I think.

I see a lot of people like the Bird's Nest, but honestly I don't like so much the design. I recognize it's a great and unique building, I liked it more in the renders, but after ready it seems the facade doesn't connect well with the whole building, it's just an useless crust just to impress. In my point of view they had better proposals for the olympic stadiums, i liked one in particular, but i guess they didn't want to build it cause it reminds the female genitalia.

http://www.olympic.org/Assets/MediaPlayer/Photos/2011/rio2016/rio2016-Joao-Havelange-Olympic-Stadium.jpg


http://www.insidethegames.biz/images/stories/Joo_Havelange_Stadium_at_night.jpg

^^The ceremonies should take place at that stadium instead of the Maracana.

WOW what an amazing thread!! I just love it!!! ...

My personal favorites (9):
1992-Barcelona Montjouic Stadium, 1896 & 2004-Athens Stadia, 2008-Beijing National Stadium, 1972-Munich Olympic Stadium, 1952-Helsinki Olympic Stadium, 1936-Berlin Olympic Stadium, 1968-Mexico Olympic Stadium, 1976-Montreal Olympic Stadium.

Whatever for me:
From 1900-Paris to 1928-Amstedarm, 1932-Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 1948-London Wembley Stadium, 1960-Rome Olympic Stadium, 1964-Tokyo Olympic Stadium, 1980-Moscow Olympic Stadium, 1988-Seoul Olympic Stadium.

I hate:
1996-Atlanta Olympic Stadium, 2000-Sydney Olympic Stadium, 1956-Melbourne Cricket Ground.

But great thread .. keep the discussion and the pics coming!!

Mr. Moderator, close down this thread!

1. Munich
2. Athens
3. Sydney

^^The ceremonies should take place at that stadium instead of the Maracana.

Why? Just because it has an athletics track? Must the Olympic flame be in sight of the athletics stadium? I think not.

They chose Maracana because it worked for the 2007 Pan American Games, would provide a much larger spectator capacity even if the athletes are to stand on the field and most importantly, it's a historically significant building and sports venue.

^^ he's been trolling about this for ages. Obviously the IOC dont have a problem with it...

Exactly, otherwise the IOC would have clearly said so.

The only ruling is, is that the Ceremonies must be held in the city proper hosting the Games. It doesn't really matter where it is (venue wise) so long as it is of reasonable capacity and secure.

Didn't the French propose the Arc de Triomphe as a site for their ceremonies in their 1992 Paris bid?

Why? Just because it has an athletics track? Must the Olympic flame be in sight of the athletics stadium? I think not.

They chose Maracana because it worked for the 2007 Pan American Games, would provide a much larger spectator capacity even if the athletes are to stand on the field and most importantly, it's a historically significant building and sports venue.

Historical significance does not give a venue the right to host Olympic Ceremonies. I don't care about maracana and its large capacity. Olympic ceremonies must take place at the Joao Havelange Stadium instead.

I don´t know about the plans for the Rio olympic stadium but Joao A. is a front runner for ugliest olympic stadium ever.

I think it'll look better when it

a) Has the gaps behind the goal filled with more seats as is planned and

b) Has its Olympic decor, especially on the concrete on the outside :)

But I agree, it's hardly a Birds Nest. Not really fit to host the Olympics, which deserves better ;)

^^At least in its current state. Yeah, well, Maracana should not even be fit to host Olympic ceremonies. Maracana is not much of a birds nest, either. Maybe if a final design for the renovated and expanded Engenhao stadium is released next year, that stadium should still be allowed to host Olympic ceremonies. Give that stadium a real exterior facade. Does Maracana even have a facade? No.

I don´t know about the plans for the Rio olympic stadium but Joao A. is a front runner for ugliest olympic stadium ever.


Maracana will be the olympic stadium, the place where the olympic flag will be raised and the cauldron will be placed.

Joao Havelange stadium is only the venue for track and field events.

^^Oh sure, devalue an Olympic Stadium.

Can I get a reason why the stadium HAS to host the opening ceremonies and not the Maracana?

Oh oh....

Opening ceremony or not the biggest media coverage will still be at Joao A. for all track and field competitions, a high point of every summer olympics.

Hamden Park held 150'000 people in the 1930s. Even Ibrox Park saw crowds as big as 118'000. How you can regard 100'000 or 110'000 as show-off capacity is completely beyond me. The proportion of the stadium fitted perfectly well and they still do.

It was a show-off race at this time. Hitler was a little bit disappointed of the Olympiastadion's size. To satisfy his desire to have the biggest stadium in our galaxy her ordered to build this stadium monster in Nuremberg.

btw, the next Olympic Stadium is almost completed. Which ranking in our poll results does it deserve?
What's your oppinion?

1 Bird's Nest (Beijing)
2 Olympistadion (Munich)
3 Stadium Australia (Sydney)
4 Spiridon Louis (Athens)
5 Olympiastadion (Berlin)
6 Olympic Stadium (Mexicó)
7 Olympic Stadium (Montreal)
8 L.A. Coliseum (Los Angeles)
9 Lenin Stadium (Moscow)
10 Olympic Stadium (Barcelona)


My rating is 5.5

“El Estadio Olímpico de la Universidad de México es precisamente de México. Entre todas las estructuras que integran la Ciudad Universitaria varias se elevan a la dignidad de la arquitectura notable de México y sus grandes tradiciones. La primera entre todas ellas es el Estadio. Aquí se pueden ver las grandes tradiciones antiguas de México honrado a los tiempos modernos. Pero esta estructura no es una imitación, es una creación en el más auténtico sentido y está llamada a ocupar su lugar entre las grandes obras de arquitectura de hoy y mañana […]”.

Frank Lloyd Wright

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/36260_137495859637541_128715633848897_174430_1619211_n.jpg


http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/163997_139854349401692_128715633848897_183426_3169013_n.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166171_139872452733215_128715633848897_183571_7976451_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/163997_139854346068359_128715633848897_183425_6154849_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/163930_139871596066634_128715633848897_183567_3875424_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/164008_139852356068558_128715633848897_183421_4024390_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/307794_234957203224739_128715633848897_556809_1912402243_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/162874_139874646066329_128715633848897_183620_1044066_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/314959_234956986558094_128715633848897_556808_1839289987_n.jpg

Estadio Olímpico

“El Estadio Olímpico de la Universidad de México es precisamente de México. Entre todas las estructuras que integran la Ciudad Universitaria varias se elevan a la dignidad de la arquitectura notable de México y sus grandes tradiciones. La primera entre todas ellas es el Estadio. Aquí se pueden ver las grandes tradiciones antiguas de México honrado a los tiempos modernos. Pero esta estructura no es una imitación, es una creación en el más auténtico sentido y está llamada a ocupar su lugar entre las grandes obras de arquitectura de hoy y mañana […]”.

Frank Lloyd Wright


Como lo describió el muralista Diego Rivera: “El Estadio Olímpico nace del terreno con la misma lógica que los conos volcánicos que forman el paisaje donde se encuentra”, es verdaderamente “un cráter arquitectónizado”.

El Estadio fue la primera obra iniciada del conjunto de la Ciudad Universitaria, debido a la aceptación unánime de todo el comité de construcción del conjunto sobre su volumetría y funcionalidad. Se diseñó para que se realizaran todo tipo de actividades deportivas, y destacó por su desempeño durante las Olimpiadas de 1968. El talud exterior que forman las gradas del lado oriente fue decorado con mural titulado: “La Universidad, la familia y el deporte en México”, con piedras de color natural en altorrelieve obra del mismo Rivera.

El acceso desde exterior se hace por medio de rampas que, al ir ascendiendo, permiten la entrada a mitad de la gradería, para así ocupar la totalidad de las localidades

Tiene una capacidad de ochenta mil espectadores sentados y consta de cuarenta y dos túneles de acceso, que son al mismo tiempo salidas que permiten desalojarlo por completo casi de inmediato. Este estadio fue el primero a nivel internacional en contar con una caseta de comunicaciones para transmisión diseñada específicamente para ello, llamada “el Palomar” esta se encuentra ubicada en la parte más alta de las gradas para dominar la vista del mismo estadio y general del Campus central.

Mextitlan: La maqueta del estadio olímpico de Ciudad Universitaria que muestra las olimpiadas de 1968, tiene la única “ola” miniatura del mundo, en donde más de 30 000 muñequitos que son espectadores se levantan, elevan sus manos y se vuelven a sentar mecánicamente. Esta maqueta la hizo el ingeniero Rafael Ramírez que es un mexicano que residía en Canadá y trabajaba para una equivalente de la NASA de Estados Unidos, haciendo modelos a escala de simuladores espaciales de ingeniería muy avanzada. La Catedral de Zacatecas está hecha a base de cantera molida mezclada con resinas y cemento, y se construyó pieza por pieza, bloque por bloque. Es de un color rosado mucho muy bello y pesa una tonelada y media.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/382233_243320165721776_128715633848897_581729_507293259_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/373824_243320589055067_128715633848897_581730_1102033381_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386130_243321839054942_128715633848897_581732_1133734508_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/378078_252922184761574_128715633848897_603623_943617754_n.jpg

MI FRAVORITO EL SPORTS PALACE MEXICO 68. SEDE OLIMPICA DE BALONCESTO.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/65803_137498266303967_128715633848897_174442_7401624_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/423599_288715404515585_128715633848897_693231_1044116112_n.jpg

http://eduardoterrazas.com.mx/sitioEspanol/images/nucleouno25.jpg

http://eduardoterrazas.com.mx/sitioEspanol/images/nucleouno19.jpg

for me it has to be munich, it was the king of style/design so far as the olympics are concerned. the stadium is more than a stadium, it seamlessly integrates into the surrounds and not only this but represented ever so stylishly by otl aicher, after all a stadium or any building isnt just about the physical but also about how we perceive it through images, stories etc. it becomes its own representation.
http://www.theoffside.com/files/2009/05/olympic-stadium-in-munich.jpg more olympic stadiums need this kind of formal uniformity/cohesion imo
http://www.1972municholympics.co.uk/images/brochures/ticketlist_lrg.jpg
http://www.1972municholympics.co.uk/images/tickets/Athletics_lrg.jpg (how many tickets have you seen where it shows you where you need to go?!)

MI FRAVORITO EL SPORTS PALACE MEXICO 68. SEDE OLIMPICA DE BALONCESTO.


tienes algun foto del interior?? no puedo encontrarlo

Cita:
Empezado por CHOCODRILOO
MI FRAVORITO EL SPORTS PALACE MEXICO 68. SEDE OLIMPICA DE BALONCESTO.

tienes algun foto del interior?? no puedo encontrarlo

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198551_161066770613783_128715633848897_289318_3029539_n.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FiWNFc1dsPQ/TKd2eTLtoDI/AAAAAAAABZs/C20FtBKYdzA/s1600/PALACIO+DE+LOS+DEPORTES+3.jpg

http://riggingplot.com.mx/photo/8.JPG

http://riggingplot.com.mx/photo/13.JPG

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198099_161065120613948_128715633848897_289313_6020026_n.jpg

Fotograma de Rafael Corkidi extraído de la película: “La Montaña Sagrada” de Alejandro Jodorowsky. Año: 1971

http://v21.lscache5.c.bigcache.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/1096546.jpg

Fuentes:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Juegos-de-la-XIX-Olimpiada-Mexico-68/128715633848897

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=960692

for me it has to be munich, it was the king of style/design so far as the olympics are concerned. the stadium is more than a stadium, it seamlessly integrates into the surrounds and not only this but represented ever so stylishly by otl aicher, after all a stadium or any building isnt just about the physical but also about how we perceive it through images, stories etc. it becomes its own representation.
http://www.theoffside.com/files/2009/05/olympic-stadium-in-munich.jpg more olympic stadiums need this kind of formal uniformity/cohesion imo
http://www.1972municholympics.co.uk/images/brochures/ticketlist_lrg.jpg
http://www.1972municholympics.co.uk/images/tickets/Athletics_lrg.jpg (how many tickets have you seen where it shows you where you need to go?!)

frei otto diseñador del estadio de munich era gran admirador de felix candela, y le gusto mucho la estructura del palacio de los deportes.
Por otro lado santiago calatrva fue alumno de felix candela. tdo esta separado por 6 grados je!

Athens

^^ Athens? Nice over the top roof, but it could have been more simplistic and cost saving. Also, during the Olympics not all seats were made available for events, just over 50,000 of it's 70,000+ capacity, not to mention the few numbers that ended up going to events.

Just look at the 1996 bid, the Olympic Stadium was stated to be used in it's "as is" state, perhaps replacement of seats, addition of press boxes, replacement of scoreboard and addition of video screens and of course the Olympic Cauldron. But certainly no roof of any sort.

The roof was proposed for the 2004 games as a showcase on how superior it was vs the 1996 bid.

If Athens won 1996, the Stadium could have gone two ways, just used in it's open aired state, or a last minute roof constructed within a couple of months or so at the cost of millions.

In London there will be also only 60k seat available only. Because the rest always go to sponsors. Thus your first argument was not educated, and since you are Australian, with the history of comments you guys post I also suspect your are prejudiced.
The second part of your comment makes no sense.

^^ 60k, sure. Filled, most likely. But this is London we're talking about, even if sponsors take up a bulk of seating, the idea of empty chunks of rows of stands don't look nice on TV. I'm sure even sponsors would be pressured to use up those seats.

What part of the second half makes no sense? A 1996 Athens Olympic stadium would have been proposed as is, with minor upgrades. If a roof were considered, it would most definitely be last minute and there would have been a rush to complete it on time, costing millions, enough to have built a mid sized stadium or major arena (in 1996 dollars).

There is no prejudice, it's a nice roof and all, but a conventional roof would have worked fine as is the case in like a couple of dozen other major stadiums world wide. It would have been less complex, cost saving and completed well ahead of the deadline, not in the last minute.

With the joke of a stadium for 2012, pray it does not rain, let alone caring about the seats, which for a country smaller then the city of London, it did there far better than anyone has ever done
1) "So in 1996 the bid had no roof"... So what? London hasn't kept a single bidding promise so far, at least Athens final product was actually better then then proposal, for a change
2)If a roof were considered, it would most definitely be last minute and there would have been a rush to complete it on time, costing millions, enough to have built a mid sized stadium or major arena
Kalatrava finished the final plan in 2001. How is this last minute for what is basically just upgrades? What is your point, which i find so hard to understand????
OAKA upgrades costed 300 million dollars. Do I need to remind you that 2012 stadium cost is close to 800 million? Athens use of existing facilities for Olympics makes it by far the most efficient to date.
http://stadia.gr/oaka/oakaoldplan.jpg
http://stadia.gr/oaka/oakanew.jpg

So what? London hasn't kept a single bidding promise so far

Athens' is a beautiful stadium - one of the best Olympic Stadiums from the inside in my opinion - but you don't have to resort to rubbishing other Olympics with untruths to get your point across.

London has followed through on the key points of what it said it would do in its bid - namely a huge (multi-billion pound) Olympic Park with the key venues, a village within walking distance, iconinc venues like Lords, Wimbledon, Wembley etc, an athletics stadium in legacy, the International Inspiration Scheme which has delivered on the inspiring the 'Youth of the World' Promise which was such a focus in Singapore (this doesn't get the coverage it deserves), sold out venues. Sure there are tweaks, there always are with Olympic hosts, and certainly the budget is bigger than was expected but London has certainly followed through on the vast majority of its bid promises. London's Games will look and feel how the bid team envisaged in all key ways. To claim otherwise either shows an ignorance of the process (the IOC understood London's renders were artistic impressions and none of them have complained about what is actually on the ground), or a will to deliberately mislead.

If you want to find me an IOC member who's claiming London isn't delivering on its bid promises, or find me a report from Denis Oswald's inspection team which isn't glowing, the be my guest but you won't be able to.

London is delivering its promises and has been way ahead of almost all past hosts in doing so. That's the fact of the matter. :)

Lord David is spewing rubbish and we are talking about the visual design here, or at least I think this is what he is trying to talk about. I have very few posts, mostly countering anglosaxon ignorance, and have never bothered to comment on the 2012 on any relevant forum. Please don't intervene. And yes London's games seems they will be great but the constant downwards and compromising design process with inversely proportional costs since day one is hardly an "untruth"

Lord David is spewing rubbish and we are talking about the visual design here, or at least I think this is what he is trying to talk about. I have very few posts, mostly countering anglosaxon ignorance, and have never bothered to comment on the 2012 on any relevant forum. Please don't intervene. And yes London's games will be awesome but the reliable downwards design process since day one is hardly an "untruth"

You said London hasn't kept a single one of its bid promises. That's so far from the truth it's not even funny. If you don't want me to "intervene", stick to what you know, else you will also be accused of "spewing rubbish".

And Anglo-Saxon ignorance? Not sure about that one, I do think the Gauls have a lot to answer for though, and don't even get me started on the Carthaginians! :D

Will be the Maracanã Stadium in Rio 2016.

http://gazetaonline.globo.com/_midias/jpg/cobertura_nova_do_maracana_4dd2da223f230-466451-4dd2da2240458.jpg

http://veja.abril.com.br/blog/de-paris/files/2009/10/maracana-olimpico.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ewGdBCzawak/TSNnt4B9ukI/AAAAAAAAEKY/x2l9kSfZZXM/s1600/maracana1.jpg

^^You are kidding ...right?

Lord David is spewing rubbish and we are talking about the visual design here, or at least I think this is what he is trying to talk about. I have very few posts, mostly countering anglosaxon ignorance, and have never bothered to comment on the 2012 on any relevant forum. Please don't intervene. And yes London's games seems they will be great but the constant downwards and compromising design process with inversely proportional costs since day one is hardly an "untruth"

Well there are several venues from Athens 2004, which are only now being converted for a proper post-Olympic legacy use. Venues which should have been temporary for the Olympics.

These venues include:

Helliniko Olympic Hockey Centre
Helliniko Olympic Softball Stadium
Hellinikon Canoe/Kayak Slalom Centre
Ano Liosia Olympic Hall
Olympic Beach Volleyball Centre
Galatsi Olympic Hall

As for visual design? I assume you must mean the original design for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium right? Well that was just a concept design used in the bid, it technically had the capacity needed and took into account of it's post-Olympic legacy capacity. Only major difference would have been the upper tier and the roofing/facade design. London then opted to construct a conventionally designed stadium which I think works fine (the seating colours/arrangement I'm not so wild about, but they'll end up being filled so you don't notice them).

Athens vs London now? Need I remind you that London needed to build a stadium from scratch? Even most of it's competitors for 2012, Madrid, Paris, Moscow had existing Olympic Stadiums in their bids with only Madrid having needed to upgrade theirs. New York needed to build a stadium from scratch, failed bid Rio de Janiero was proposing a venue being built for the 2007 Pan American Games and Istanbul had theirs ready to go (with proposed expansion), yet they weren't selected to become a Candidate City.

Kalatrava finished the final plan in 2001.
Athens won the bid in 1997, having had a break in bidding to do a proper tweak of their Olympic bid. They should have really proposed and cemented any renovations to the Olympic Park well before that, so construction could begin right away and not be blown over budget because you're trying to finish everything last minute.

Helliniko Olympic Hockey Centre
-Part of Ethnikos training grounds.
Helliniko Olympic Softball Stadium
-Converted to football, home of Ethnikos FC
http://www.ethnikos-fc.com/pae/gipedikes-egkatastaseis/
Hellinikon Canoe/Kayak Slalom Centre
-Converted to park
Ano Liosia Olympic Hall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ano_Liosia_Olympic_Hall#cite_note-3
Olympic Beach Volleyball Centre
-Beach volley. In Greece. Surprised?
Galatsi Olympic Hall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galatsi_Olympic_Hall

Talking about efficiency in buildings
Basketball matches and handball finals for 2004, 15k cap, made out of an aircraft hangar
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Helliniko_Olympic_Complex_Indoor_Arena.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/BasketballAt2004SummerOlympics-1.jpg/800px-BasketballAt2004SummerOlympics-1.jpg

Athens won the bid in 1997, having had a break in bidding to do a proper tweak of their Olympic bid. They should have really proposed and cemented any renovations to the Olympic Park well before that, so construction could begin right away and not be blown over budget because you're trying to finish everything last minute.

There is no rule or any kind of obligation to propose and cement any renovations right away, other than the ones made up by Lord David. Athens bidding had no funky 3d renderings, just airshots from the real OAKA.
How much more over budget did the venues were exactly? Can you tell me a number, cause I have a number for London, and its getting nastier and nastier:lol::lol: The one and only proposal was materialised in time and the only aspect of the games way over budget was security because people like you were spewing hate and fear. We should have sent the police budget bill to you.:lol: unlike London which spirals downwards with less you built the more it costs but you don't see me trolling in London's forums.
All of Beijing Olympic venues are almost completely unused and useless, they costed more then 4 Athens olympiads, but British trolls don't even care, they prefer going around checking what wheelchair rugby venue in Athens is doing now.....
Better worry what to do with yours. The fact that Olympics the last 30-40 years are very expensive and never pay up their investment is hardly a secret.

There is no rule or any kind of obligation to propose and cement any renovations right away, other than the ones made up by Lord David.

No hard-written rule no. But the IOC weren't particularly happy:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1173522.stm

This is the only time in my memory of the Games that a host city had such a negative report three years before their hosting. So David isn't making this stuff up.

All of Beijing Olympic venues are almost completely unused and useless, they costed more then 4 Athens olympiads, but British trolls don't even care, they prefer going around checking what wheelchair rugby venue in Athens is doing now.....

The Beijing venues - esepcially the stadium - get a lot of mention in the London threads, I've never once seen anyone talk about the wheelchair basketball venue in Athens which I can't even picture. Don't flatter yourself.

The one and only proposal was materialised in time and the only aspect of the games way over budget was security because people like you were spewing hate and fear.

Or you didn't budget enough for security maybe? I think that's more likely the cause. Not that Athens is to blame for that - they were a victim of circumstance. Between 1997 and 2004 we had 9/11. Security costs for all Games post 9/11 have been massively more than those prior to it. Athens was unlucky to win its bid prior to 9/11 and host after it.

BUT Rogge said only a few weeks ago that Athens' rush lead to budget increases too - I'm sure he knows what he's talking about since he was the head of the Athens inspection team. Athens' budget increase was partly due to the fact that it sat on its arse for three years doing nothing. Rogge has spoken about the problems the delay caused:

‘It could have been staged at a much lower cost, as there were delays that rendered double shifts necessary, and having people work at night does cost more,’ Rogge said.

London's budget increased when it properly worked out its plan of action. Since then - 5 years ago - it's been pretty much stable despite what you claim to the contrary. Both Games had budget increases but for starkly different reasons.

Better worry what to do with yours.

I assume you're talking about London (which is odd since David is an Ozzie). No need to worry too much though, it's mostly sorted.

The main stadium is the only venue really causing issues. Everything else is either finalised or very close to being so. Six out of eight permanent Olympic venues already have operators in place for when the park reopens in 2013, with the seventh (the IBC) being close to having an occupant in place:

Aquatics Centre, Orbit, Handball Arena all announced at the same time:
http://www.eventmagazine.co.uk/news/1110982/Operators-announced-three-Olympic-venues/

Velodrome has been known for a while but naming rights are being sold as we speak:
http://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/en/content/cms/olympics/velopark/velopark.aspx
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/8761818/London-2012-Olympics-Sky-and-Westfield-front-runners-for-velodrome-naming-rights.html

Eton Manor is sorted post-2012:
http://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/en/content/cms/olympics/hockey_and_tennis/hockey_and_tennis.aspx

Olympic Village is sold:
http://www.london2012.com/news/2011/08/legacy-owner-for-olympic-village-announced.php

IBC has had several expressions of interest:
http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/summer-olympics/2012/15556-fashion-leisure-village-and-innovation-centre-shortlisted-for-ibc-and-mpc

And as well as this the Lea Valley white-water centre is already profitable before the Games:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/jmagnay1/100023170/london-2012-olympics-ticketless-will-get-priority-in-final-ticket-window-says-locog-chief/

As I've said already, defend Athens if you want but don't go into territory you don't understand because this is the second post of yours in a day where I've had to correct or inform you of what's going on in London when you've tried to put our Games in a bad light to defend your country's mistakes.

^^ Thanks RobH. Of course now post Olympic legacy must be specified in the bid file, even if it does end up as something else in the end.

Olympic Beach Volleyball Centre
-Beach volley. In Greece. Surprised?


Sydney had a temporary Beach Volleyball venue at Manly Beach and I also believe that Beijing had the same. London also has a temporary venue.

You can play Beach Volleyball at a cheaper temporary venue, only now is the Athens venue being turned into an outdoor concert venue. Even if Beach Volleyball is popular, you don't need a dedicated venue specifically for the sport. And major world championships can be held at a temporary venue, national team training can easily be held at a smaller legacy venue (even if it's just the courts).

My points still stand. RobH only quoted Rogge statement that it costed more because people were paid working during the night...... ok...Meanwhile with London's stadium alone over the budget sum you can built the "over the budget" OAKA..... Lord David now cares about the beach volley stadium....

^^ Well of course you're going to have to pay people during the night when you're working to get things completed the last minute, a mere year or months before the Opening Ceremony.

As for the Beach Volleyball Stadium, that should have been temporary, but no, they just had to build an over the top venue that only now is finding a legacy use.

67ykGyZLa9U

Yes it's just an ad and yes things were eventually done, but it sort of highlights this argument in a funny and point of view way.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/417566_301687993218326_128715633848897_723176_2128395565_n.jpg

ESTADIO DE CU 12 DE OCTUBRE DE 1968, INAGURACION DE MEXICO 68

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417631_301690059884786_128715633848897_723181_1583439266_n.jpg

ESTADIO AZTECA SEDE OLIMPICA DE FUTBOL MEXICO 68

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/395477_301688386551620_128715633848897_723177_1342130936_n.jpg

PISTA DE REMO Y CANOTAJE MEXICO 68

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/396504_301688716551587_128715633848897_723178_741095844_n.jpg

AREAN MEXICO, LUCHA Y BOX MEXICO 68

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VELODROMO OLIMPICO MEXICO 68

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PROYECTO ORIGINAL DE LA ALBERCA Y GIMNACIO OLIMPICO

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INTERIOR DEL GIMNACIO OLIMPICO

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PROYECTO ORIGINAL

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INTERIOR ALBERCA OLIMPICA

Some lovely old photos there CHOCODRILOO. I do like the old picture of the Azteca lined up next to the Olympic Stadium photo.

Some lovely old photos there CHOCODRILOO. I do like the old picture of the Azteca lined up next to the Olympic Stadium photo.

tENGO MAS EN MI PAGINA http://www.facebook.com/pages/Juegos-de-la-XIX-Olimpiada-Mexico-68/128715633848897?ref=tn_tnmn

FOLLOW ME. .)

Some lovely old photos there CHOCODRILOO. I do like the old picture of the Azteca lined up next to the Olympic Stadium photo.

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ESTE ES UNA ESCULTURA DE ALEXANDER CALDER EN LA EXPLANADA EL ESTADIO AZTECA

Some lovely old photos there CHOCODRILOO. I do like the old picture of the Azteca lined up next to the Olympic Stadium photo.

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PARA EL PALACIO SE TENIA PLANEADO LOS MISMO PERO NO LAS DIBUJARON

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BUENO DEJO DE OSTEAR SI NO VAN A DECIR QUE ES SPAM

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el homenaje del museo Boijmans -Rotterdam-a nuestro diseño de Mex 68

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EL AZTECA RECIBIO EN 2011 A U2 Y A SU GARRA, JA,JA,

yep, cannot understand what you're on about.

Sydney had a temporary Beach Volleyball venue at Manly Beach and I also believe that Beijing had the same. London also has a temporary venue.

You can play Beach Volleyball at a cheaper temporary venue, only now is the Athens venue being turned into an outdoor concert venue. Even if Beach Volleyball is popular, you don't need a dedicated venue specifically for the sport. And major world championships can be held at a temporary venue, national team training can easily be held at a smaller legacy venue (even if it's just the courts).

Sydney 2000 beach volleyball was at Bondi,not Manly.
But I agree,what a stupid decision to build a permanant 10,000 seat beach volleyball stadium.They couldnt even fill it in 2004.

^^ Whoops, just a technical mistake, sorry, I knew that it was at one of your beaches.

Athens use of existing facilities for Olympics makes it by far the most efficient to date.

With all venues repurposed or getting regular use, Atlanta wins that one, IMO.

^^ I agree there, but the only thing Atlanta did wrong (venue wise, not accounting other things) would be their choice for the Centennial Olympic Stadium. Yes, it was going to end up converted to the new home of the Atlanta Braves, Turner Field, yes they pointed this out in their bid file, but the Centennial Games deserved better.

I would have gone for a dedicated Olympic Park somewhere outside the city where venues such as the Velodrome and Tennis Center could have been permanent rather than just temporary alongside a Centennial Olympic Stadium that would have been downsized to a community use facility, rather than a major stadium.

In the unlikely event that Atlanta does bid again, this would ideally be their proposal or else it would be a why would we want to go there again bid.

In the unlikely event that Atlanta does bid again, this would ideally be their proposal or else it would be a why would we want to go there again bid.

Can't imagine Atlanta ever bidding again (and wouldn't ever get it again), but if they were it would coincide with a new NFL stadium, and would be more easily accepted by the international community.

With all the stink about London downsizing their temporary stadium, I don't think it would have gone over even as well as it has. There's no need for an olympic stadium in Atlanta going forward.

Turner Field sees more visitors annually than many (any?) other past olympic stadium. I DO wish there were more nods to its Olympic beginnings. Moving the torch from down the street and into the plaza area (where olympic seating was removed) would go a long way.

Got to love the MCG, though like Turner Field it's one of the few Olympic Stadiums that are more famous for other Sports. Still it's current form is truely special.

Can't imagine Atlanta ever bidding again (and wouldn't ever get it again), but if they were it would coincide with a new NFL stadium, and would be more easily accepted by the international community.

With all the stink about London downsizing their temporary stadium, I don't think it would have gone over even as well as it has. There's no need for an olympic stadium in Atlanta going forward.

Turner Field sees more visitors annually than many (any?) other past olympic stadium. I DO wish there were more nods to its Olympic beginnings. Moving the torch from down the street and into the plaza area (where olympic seating was removed) would go a long way.

Turner Field? I think the MCG wins that contest. Not only due to the fact that it's basically 50,000 seats larger, the fact that it not only hosts the Australian Football Season, but also Cricket, Soccer, Rugby and other events.

If history were a tad different, would a Montreal Olympic Stadium approach (not necessarily with a roof), at a larger scale, have been feasible? You'd then end up with like a 60,000 or 70,000 Baseball stadium post Olympics.

Atlanta will never bid for the Olympics again considering how badly they were screwed over by the IOC.

Turner Field sees more visitors annually than many (any?) other past olympic stadium.

Rome Olimpico ? (Which has 2 permanent tenants + some national team games + the 6 Nations rugby from this year, etc ; not to mention it also hosted the FIFA world cup final & several games + several European cups finals).

Berlin Olympiastadion ? (Which has one permanent tenant + the German cup final annually + some national team games + an annual Diamond League meeting, etc ; not to mention it also hosted the FIFA world cup final & several games).

etc

Well, Turner Field is home to 80+ baseball games. I don't know to what extent other stadia can compete with that.

^^ Yep, but it's "only" 50K, while for example the Olimpico in Rome (72K, formerly 80K+) hosts approx. 55/60+ matches per year (Serie A, Cup, Champions League/Europa League (Lazio & Roma) + some of the Squadra Azzurra games & even the 6 Nations games from this year etc)

Do the math ;).

Atlanta will never bid for the Olympics again considering how badly they were screwed over by the IOC.

What do you mean? It was the IOC that ended up being screwed over by Atlanta, even with prior knowledge and agreements that things like the Centennial Olympic Stadium would be converted to Turner Field.

As for the MCG, you add the AFL figures here: http://www.mcg.org.au/History/Attendances/Recent%20Attendances.aspx

Alongside the Cricket for the year of 2011 and you get a figure of around 3 million. It should be noted that over half of the AFL matches played at the MCG are barely half full, so potentially, if they were all sell out games like the Finals series, then it could very well be the largest attendance per year of any stadium in the world. Only a matter of time when that happens, though I'm certain it has in the past.

A sold out season at Turner Field would bring well over 4,000,000.

That said, last year they drew a disappointing 2,372,940. 60% capacity. The best season's attendance was 3.5 million.

^^ Yep, but it's "only" 50K, while for example the Olimpico in Rome (72K, formerly 80K+) hosts approx. 55/60+ matches per year (Serie A, Cup, Champions League/Europa League (Lazio & Roma) + some of the Squadra Azzurra games & even the 6 Nations games from this year etc)

Do the math ;).

I'd like to know, but not enough to research the attendance for the multiple leagues, individual "one-off" games, concerts, etc.

Feel free to do it yourself. According to your #s Rome would need to average ~42,000 over the year to match a disappointing season at Turner Field.

Either way, these 3 or 4 mentioned see FAR more visitors than the rest.

A sold out season at Turner Field would bring well over 4,000,000.

That said, last year they drew a disappointing 2,372,940. 60% capacity. The best season's attendance was 3.5 million.

A sold out season at the MCG for AFL alone would be:

53 matches x 95,000 seats (not accounting standing room which would bring it to 100,000) = 5,035,000 a record attendance for a stadium. Then you add say 500,000 odds worth of Cricket and other sporting events and functions.

My personal favourite is MCG ... I might be biased but thats the effect of getting up at 5am for the first day morning session of Boxing day test for the last 2 decades.

How about that UFO in Montreal:

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/080/7/0/Stade_Trek_by_minose400.jpg
http://minose400.deviantart.com/art/Stade-Trek-158033508

Brilliant! Well played by that artist.

Montreal's bold, Olympic Stadium, but overall terrible concept.

The dome idea seems neat, until you realize that there's no room for tier expansion (without radical alterations to the outer structure), cramped concourses and most importantly, the retractable roof doesn't even work.

Montreal Olympic stadium has lots of negatives, but I can't stop staring at it. It's completely over the top. Btw, there's talk of rebuilding one end of the stands so it wraps completely around. That should boost capacity back up to about 76,000. The Alouettes are the only club that might need that kind of capacity. Maybe the soccer club will over time.