Syracuse

The stadiums and venues transformed or built for the Olympic Games, and the compatibility of architectural quality and functionality achieved in these permanent and temporary facilities, do not only enhance and regenerate cities through the buildings themselves but also influence the way the athletes and the spectators experience the sports competition.  Olympic architecture has a great impact on the celebration of the Games and on the host city legacy,  and has become a significant learning and research subject for architects, designers, urban planners and many other researchers in Olympic studies during the last decades.

From the earthen slope stands of the stadium in ancient Olympia, to the retractable roof of the Olympic stadium in Montreal, and all the way to the modular structure of the stands in the Olympic stadium of the London 2012 Games, Olympic stadiums have evolved a lot through the years and have always been, together with other iconic venues and the Olympic Villages, one of the architectural stars of the Games.

As these structures often leave a lasting imprint on the urban landscape of a host city, it can be the opportunity for cities to revitalize and develop entire neighborhoods. The flexibility and adaptability of the sport facilities and the Olympic Village to meet the host city’s needs after the Games is therefore central for their long-term added value to a community.

On this page we have put together for you a selection of resources including official publications by the Olympic Games Organising Committees (OCOGs), as well as a list of useful links and academic studies to assist you in your research on the topic of Olympic architecture. Don’t forget to check out the link at the bottom of the page to get the list of all publications available at the OSC on this topic.