Donbass Arena is among the top abandoned stadiums in the world (Photo). "Exclusion Zone": how stadiums die after the Olympic Games
The Olympic Games are not only the most significant sporting event in the world, but also construction ahead of the curve. In the cities that were lucky enough to host competitions, ultra-modern sports arenas, hotels and entire neighborhoods with developed infrastructure are being built from scratch, new tracks are being laid. Sometimes all this can be successfully used even after the end of the Olympics, but it happens that after a few years the objects in which an incredible amount of effort and money have been invested turn out to be unnecessary, abandoned. There is no trace of the former luxury and pomposity.
Sarajevo
winter infrastructure Olympic Games 1984 in Yugoslavia suffered a sad fate: the Olympic Village was almost completely destroyed during the civil war. Now there is a large cemetery on this site, which borders on the new cheap apartment buildings that appeared here in the late 1990s.
And this is what an abandoned bobsleigh complex looks like. The territory is abundantly overgrown with young fir trees, and local teenagers are happy to use the track as a canvas for graffiti. The tourists who got here are almost always photographed inside the cracked stone gutter.
Berlin
This abandoned pool in Berlin was built by the government of the Third Reich specifically for the 1936 Olympics. Subsequently, the Wehrmacht barracks were located here, then the Soviet troops. Since the early 1990s Olympic Park empty, attracting only lovers of picturesque ruins.
And this is what the former Olympic village looks like, where athletes lived in 1936.
Athens
The birthplace of the Olympic Games is one of the saddest examples of how you can throw money down the drain with brilliance. Of the 22 venues built for the 2004 Summer Games, 21 are not in use. It was after the Olympics in Athens that for the first time they began to talk about the fact that the sports infrastructure, for the construction of which unthinkable sums are spent, is no longer needed by anyone. Moreover, to maintain it in a relatively working condition, huge funds are needed.
Former swimming pool. Now only a little muddy water at the bottom.
The motto of that Olympics was: "Welcome home!" This is what the “house” looked like 10 years after the memorable Games.
Stadium stands for baseball and softball competitions. Both sports were subsequently excluded from the program of the Olympic Games.
Been in place for many years Olympic Park in Athens they are trying to just set up a park, but the project is too expensive, and things in Greece are not very rosy, at least financially.
Rio de Janeiro
The high-rise buildings of the Olympic Village in Rio also turned out to be empty. And almost immediately after the end of the 2016 Games. There were many plans for this territory, but no investors have been found to this day. True, the territory is protected and has not yet fallen into complete decline, but after all, not much time has passed.
The Olympic tracks have also been abandoned. Most of them have already suffered greatly at the hands of street artists.
Beijing
The Olympics in the Middle Kingdom took place 10 years ago, and incredible money was also spent on the construction of facilities - at least $ 40 billion. In the photo you can see the famous Bird's Nest Stadium - at present, even he does not participate in sports or cultural events, although usually the main Olympic venue after the end of the Games still manages to find a use.
The Beijing Olympic Village is also empty. The cycling motocross track and facilities where kayakers competed have fallen into disrepair. They say that the canals were not even drained of water, so now the track has turned into a large elongated polluted pond.
There are hundreds of such "dying" sports facilities around the world. Swimming pool in Helsinki it cracked from time to time, but the Finns never figured out what to do with it. Empty ski lifts and towers in Nagano still stand, but no one has used them for a long time. Houses in the Olympic Village in Turin are empty and rarely sold. Sometimes the authorities of the former Olympic capitals approach the solution of the problem radically. So, a year after the Games in American Atlanta, it was decided to demolish the stadium Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. It took a lot of explosives - more than 350 kg, but the arena turned into ruins in a matter of seconds.
However, most of the Olympic venues that have been neglected for decades are turning into specific and even creepy art objects that fans of “stalker” tourism are happy to visit. It is not surprising that in last years even prosperous cities that could host the Olympic Games, such as Barcelona and Stockholm, began to refuse such an opportunity.
When Russia was just beginning to prepare for the Olympic Games in Sochi, those who opposed the holding of the Olympics in our country also cited the following among the arguments: after the competition, all these stadiums, skating rinks and tracks will turn out to be unnecessary, and money will thus be thrown away to the wind. There was a certain reason in these words - sports objects indeed, quite often they fall into desolation immediately after the fire goes out in the bowl of the Olympic torch. RBC-Sport followed the fate of abandoned Olympic venues around the world and tried to imagine what would happen to the Olympic venues in Sochi.
When Russia was just beginning to prepare for the Olympic Games in Sochi, those who opposed the holding of the Olympics in our country also cited the following among the arguments: after the competition, all these stadiums, skating rinks and tracks will turn out to be unnecessary, and money will thus be thrown away to the wind. There was a certain reason in these words - sports facilities indeed quite often fall into disrepair immediately after the fire goes out in the bowl of the Olympic torch. RBC-Sport followed the fate of abandoned Olympic venues around the world and tried to imagine what would happen in Sochi.
Olympics in Helsinki (Finland). 1952
The 1952 Olympic Games were the first and so far the only Olympics to be held in Finland, and the Finns had to build almost all sports facilities, as they say, from scratch. However, the Finns could not figure out what to do with them next.
Almost all of these stadiums and sports facilities fell into disrepair after the Olympics and are not used today. Only the Olympic stadium and the multi-meter tower built for the 1952 Olympics are functioning. At its top is an observation deck, which offers a panoramic view of the city.
The stadium and a huge multi-meter tower were built for the 1952 Summer Olympics. Now at the top of the white tower there is an observation deck where you can take the elevator and see the surroundings of the Finnish capital. Photo by Globallookpress
Swimming competition in 1952. Photo AR
Abandoned swimming pool in Helsinki
Olympics in Sarajevo (Yugoslavia). 1984
XIV Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo set a record - they took part 1272 athletes (274 women and 998 men) from 49 countries, and this Olympiad became the most massive at that time. The Yugoslavs, like the Finns, also built almost all the arenas specifically for the Games and also did not figure out what to do with them next. Almost all of these facilities were abandoned after the Olympics.
This is what the track looked like in 1984… Photo by AP
Bobsleigh track in Sarajevo now looks like this. Photo by Globallookpress
The ski jump is also abandoned. Photo by Globallookpress
The opening ceremony of the Olympics was bright and spectacular. And the athletes received awards on the colorful podium. AP Photo
And now this building reminds of it. Photo by Globallookpress
Olympics in Turin (Italy). 2006
The Olympic Games in Turin were the second for Italy (the first were held in Cortina d'Ampezzo in 1956). The Italians, unlike many, have found a use for almost all Olympic venues. But they haven't decided what to do with the Olympic village...
new girl Olimpic village in Turin…AP Photo
Now she is empty. Photo by Globallookpress
Olympics in Athens (Greece). 2004
The total cost of the 2004 Games was 7.202 billion euros, but the Greeks can complain more than anyone that this money was thrown away. Perhaps it is in Athens, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, that the largest number of abandoned sports facilities remain.
During the opening ceremony, everything looked very rosy. But after the end of the Olympics, only a few objects were used. Fotobank
The baseball stadium in Athens will soon be able to plant potatoes. Fotobank photo
On many sports facilities you can make horror movies. Fotobank photo
Once upon a time, the flags of all the countries participating in the Olympics hung here ... Fotobank
Olympics in Beijing (China). 2008
One more Summer Games for which incredible money was spent on the construction of facilities. Now even the Bird's Nest stadium, where the opening ceremony took place, is not used at all for either sports or cultural purposes, although usually the central Olympic stadium is used. 280 billion yuan (about $40.9 billion) was spent on the development of Beijing's infrastructure, transport system, and ecology. Some of this money has brought only short-term benefits.
The colorful opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics at the Bird's Nest Stadium
Now the unique building is being sold in pieces and not used for its intended purpose.
Entrance to the waterway
And this is what the track looks like
Some buildings were decorated by craftsmen
It's not about the Olympics
Naturally, abandoned buildings are not only after the Olympics.
The baseball stadium in Indianapolis (USA) once collected one full house after another. Now it looks more like a garden
Lakeside Speedway (Denver, Colorado) has welcomed hundreds of thousands of racing fans since 1938. In 1988, it was closed due to the financial crisis, which coincided with the tragic death of the viewer.
Football arena in Kyiv…
It used to be crowded here.
Abandoned Dynamo pool in Moscow
The first Lokomotiv stadium on Krasnopresnenskaya street
Abandoned Olympic Hotel in Moscow
What awaits Sochi
According to the program, which was developed by all Russian authorities, almost all Olympic venues will become the property of the Ministry of Sports. At the same time, some of the buildings after the Olympics will change their original purpose, and some objects will be completely transferred to neighboring cities and regions.
Photo - ITAR - TASS
Olympic Stadium Fischt"
What happened at the Games: opening and closing ceremonies.
Capacity: 40 000.
After the Games: the next truly major sporting event is expected in the summer of 2018 - the stadium will host matches of the World Cup. In its free time from grandiose tournaments, Fisht will operate as a multifunctional sports and entertainment center.
Photo ITAR - TASS
Ice Palace "Big"
What happened at the Games: hockey tournament matches, including the final.
Capacity: 12 000.
After the Games: became the home arena KHL club"Sochi".
Photo ITAR - TASS
Ice Palace "Puck"
What happened at the Games: hockey tournament matches.
Capacity: 7000.
After the Games: the original plans for the dismantling and subsequent reconstruction of the palace in some of the Russian cities, apparently, were not destined to come true due to design features. So far, it is planned to organize an all-Russian children's sports and educational center on the basis of Shaiba - a modernized version of Soviet sports boarding schools.
Photo ITAR - TASS
Curling Center "Ice Cube"
What happened at the Games: curling competition.
Capacity: 3000.
After the Games: At first they wanted to move the building to Rostov-on-Don. But in the end, the Ice Cube will remain in its place, however, it will be converted into a multifunctional shopping and entertainment center.
Photo ITAR - TASS
Center "Sanki"
What happened at the Games: competitions in luge, bobsleigh, skeleton.
Capacity: 5000.
After the Games: The center will be used as the main base for the Russian national teams in luge, bobsleigh and skeleton.
Photo ITAR - TASS
Ski center and extreme park Rosa Khutor
What happened at the Games: competitions in alpine skiing, freestyle, snowboarding.
Capacity: from 4000 (freestyle) to 7500 (alpine skiing).
After the Games: planned to attract a large number of tourists.
Photo ITAR - TASS
The article used materials fototelegraf
From Detroit to Barcelona, these stadiums will never again host fans.
The Belgian Internet edition 7sur7.be compiled a list of stadiums from around the world that once gathered thousands of spectators in their stands, and this moment destroyed for economic political or other reasons. Translation of the publication was published on the website of the newspaper Today
Silverdome (Detroit)
The arena in Detroit, which can accommodate 80 thousand spectators, hosted 4 matches of the 1994 World Cup, including the opening match of the USA - Switzerland. The stadium was home to the NFL's Detroit Lions. The stadium was built in 1977 for $55 million. In 1987, he received a Mass from Pope John Paul II.
The financial collapse of Detroit undermined the rails under Pontiac. The arena's last owner, the Triple Investment Group, purchased it from the municipality at auction for a starting price of $583,000. But he just dropped it. In two years one of the best arenas America has become a ghost stadium.
Leon Bolle Stadium (Le Mans)
This arena was considered the home of the Le Mans club until 2012. After the club moved to the new MMA Arena, several stands were demolished at the old stadium, and those that remained turned into ruins. Reconstructed in 2004, the stadium could accommodate 17,000 spectators.
"Estadio Luis City" (Mallorca)
In 1998, the Estadio Luis Cityar witnessed the birth of world football star Xavi. It was in this arena that the future legend of Barcelona and the Spanish national team took the first steps in big football. But since 2007, when Mallorca moved to new arena, "Luis City" has not seen a single sporting event.
"Donbass-Arena" (Donetsk)
In 2012, the stadium in Donetsk hosted Euro 2012 matches. Two years later, when a fire broke out in eastern Ukraine fighting, the stadium was shelled by terrorists. Since the summer of 2014, the stadium has not held sports events. Instead, humanitarian aid is being distributed here. The construction of the arena for 52,000 seats cost Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov $400 million.
Sarria Stadium (Barcelona)
Sarria was Espanyol's home stadium until 1997, when it was demolished. The financial difficulties of the Catalan club forced the management to sell it to the developer, who leveled the arena that hosted the 1982 World Cup matches. Its capacity was 43 thousand people.
The other day the Olympics started in Rio de Janeiro, many sports facilities were built for it. Let's see how some of the Olympic venues look today, where the Olympic Games were held at different times.
Olympic softball stadium in Athens, June 11, 2012. After the games in 2004, the settlement was used as housing for workers. Eight years later, many places are left abandoned or rarely used.
Olympic Canoe/Row Slalom Center in Olympic complex Elliniko in Athens, Greece, July 31, 2014.
Seats for journalists in the main swimming pool at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens on August 20, 2014.
The remains of a fountain in the former Olympic Village on the northern outskirts of Athens on August 2, 2012.
Baseball stadium at the Elliniko Olympic Complex in Athens, Greece, July 31, 2014.
Abandoned competition building beach volleyball in Beijing in 2008, April 2, 2012.
Two of the five mascots for the 2008 Beijing Olympics lie among the trees behind an abandoned unfinished mall in Beijing.
Abandoned swimming pool for the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Abandoned houses for athletes in the former Olympic Village built for the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Abandoned bobsleigh track Left over from the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics on Mount Trebevic, near Sarajevo, September 19, 2013.
An abandoned ski jump from the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics on Mount Igman, near Sarajevo, on September 19, 2013. Most of the Olympic venues in Sarajevo were reduced to rubble by the conflict that tore apart the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
With less than a week left before the start of the Rio Olympics, event organizers are rushing to put the finishing touches.
The Olympic Village has been declared uninhabitable, although athletes still have to settle there, and the jetty for competitions in sailing was destroyed by three-meter waves. In addition, the cost of hosting the Games is skyrocketing.
With each new Olympics, more and more cities around the world are asking the question: is the game worth the candle?
Springboard near Sarajevo, which hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Most cities simply do not have the infrastructure needed to host thousands of athletes, coaches, spectators and media representatives for two weeks. The amount needed to build cutting-edge Olympic venues is rising, and research suggests that investing billions of dollars in a two-week event is not the best investment.
The pool where the swimming competitions were held during Summer Olympics 1936 in Berlin.
The worst-case scenario for the host cities is if, after the Games, the Olympic venues become the fifth wheel in a cart, on which an insane amount of money has also been spent. This has happened more than once with different cities of the world. Of course, the reasons for such a development of events in each case are different. The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, for example, was seriously affected by the civil war, which caused the destruction of many of the Olympic venues left after Winter Olympics 1984.
The Berlin Olympic Village today, perhaps, makes a depressing impression.
Time spares nothing, including panels from the times of socialism.
The Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta (Georgia, USA) hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 1997, it was decided to demolish it.
The Olympic cauldron was moved from the Atlanta Olympic Stadium when it was renovated into the home baseball stadium of the Atlanta Braves. Now she proudly towers over the highway.
Chinese tourists look through the fence at the National Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest", where the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics were held.
A sign on an abandoned field in downtown Beijing that once housed a baseball stadium.
The beach volleyball venue for the 2008 Summer Olympics does not seem to be in the best condition.
A lone dog in an abandoned field that was once a baseball stadium.
Homemade brooms are lying where there was once a green zone during the 2008 Summer Olympics.
The parking lot next to the cycle track is now being used as a driving test site.
An abandoned concrete pedestal where in 1984 the winners of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Sarajevo were awarded.
Abandoned railway station near Olympic Stadium in Munich, built for the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Abandoned swimming pool built for the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.
Abandoned Olympic Hotel, Moscow.
