Introduction: Lausanne Olympics
Set dramatically among a picture-perfect lake, mountains, and hillside vineyards, Lausanne offers a unique glimpse into the history of the modern Olympic Games. This unassuming city is the permanent home of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and provides an intriguing blend of sports, culture, and history(Lausanne Olympics).
The Birth of the Modern Olympics
Pierre de Coubertin’s Vision
In the 1890s, French baron Pierre de Coubertin aimed to revive the ancient Greek sporting games, first recorded at Olympia in 776 BCE. He considered making his modern Olympics a permanent fixture in one location, inspired by the ancient tradition. Rather than choosing his birthplace, Paris, or London, the world’s most populous city at the time, he envisioned staging the Games in Lausanne, a small Swiss city he had fallen in love with on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Lausanne’s Charm
Lausanne’s dramatic waterside setting, framed by craggy Alpine peaks and striking Unesco-inscribed hillside vineyards, has captivated many visitors, from Charles Dickens to long-time resident David Bowie. When Coubertin arrived in the city in 1913, he described it as “spread out delightfully along the shores of the lake, crowned by forests, provided with every conceivable sporting possibility.”
Establishing the IOC Headquarters
Despite the trend to make the revived Games a globetrotting event, Coubertin’s passion for Lausanne led him to establish the city as the permanent home of the IOC in 1915. During World War One, neutral Switzerland was seen as a practical choice. The official relocation ceremony took place at the 17th-century City Hall on Place de la Palud. Since then, Lausanne has overseen the Games and promoted the uplifting principles of the Olympic movement worldwide.
Exploring Lausanne: The Olympic Capital
The Olympic Museum
After arriving at Lausanne’s central train station, a short walk leads to the chic shoreline neighborhood of Ouchy, home to the Olympic Museum. The museum’s modern facade faces the mountains across the lake, and its entrance is flanked by classical Greek-style columns. Inside, visitors can explore the world’s largest collection of Olympic heritage objects, including ancient artifacts, vintage items like a 1920s bobsleigh, Jesse Owen’s 1936 running shoes, Olympic torches, and eye-catching posters from past Games.
Interactive Exhibits in Lausanne Olympics
Giant screens replay memorable sporting episodes, and interactive machines allow visitors to test their own balance, strength, and coordination. One corner highlights Coubertin’s notable prowess in various sports, such as boxing, fencing, riding, tennis, and rowing. The museum’s ever-evolving displays are curated with a global effort, emphasizing storytelling potential and Olympic values.
SPOT24 Exhibition in Paris
For the 2024 Paris Games, the Olympic Museum will host an offshoot exhibition entitled SPOT24 near the Eiffel Tower. This interactive space will showcase six new and urban Olympic sports: skateboarding, sport climbing, BMX freestyle, surfing, 3×3 basketball, and breaking, highlighting the vibrant cultures surrounding these disciplines.
The Cultural Influence of Olympism
The 1913 Olympic Congress
Lausanne’s 1913 Olympic Congress, held at the grand Renaissance-style Palais de Rumine, combined athletic physiology and psychology discussions with cultural events like a floating Venetian fete and local choir performances. This blend of sport, culture, and education exemplified Coubertin’s ideal unification, dubbed Olympism.
Artistic Legacy
Travelers can explore Lausanne’s cultural heritage, including the Escaliers du Marché, medieval covered wooden stairs leading up to the Gothic Cathedral de Notre Dame. Nearby, the Collection de L’Art Brut showcases art brut, offering a thought-provoking complement to the contemporary art museums at the Plateforme 10 complex.
Historical IOC Headquarters in Lausanne Olympics
Casino de Montbenon
The beautiful Casino de Montbenon, the IOC‘s initial headquarters in 1915, now hosts an excellent brasserie with a formal garden terrace offering sweeping lake and mountain views.
Chateau d’Ouchy
The Chateau d’Ouchy, another important Olympic site, served as the venue for the 1926 conference where Coubertin outlined key Olympic principles. Today, it is a grand luxury hotel with a restaurant serving traditional Swiss dishes.
Lausanne’s Sports-Loving DNA
International Sports Organizations
Lausanne is home to more than 40 international sports organizations and federations. The city’s high sports participation rate and athletic infrastructure make it one of the world’s leading Sports Cities. Lake Geneva provides a watery arena for sailing and rowing clubs, while the surrounding Alpine peaks offer ice- and snow-based training.
Local Athletes in Lausanne Olympics
Local Olympians, such as sailor Maud Jayet and rower Barnabé Delarze, hone their skills on Lake Geneva. The city’s hills, woods, and shoreline offer a picturesque backdrop for runners, with Lausanne’s steep inclines contributing to jokes about the city’s residents having the best legs in Switzerland.
Exploring Lausanne’s Olympic Heritage
Mon Repos
Two kilometers north of Chateau d’Ouchy, Mon Repos was the 18th-century mansion where Coubertin lived and worked during the 1920s and ’30s. The IOC relocated to Mon Repos in 1922 when it outgrew the Casino de Montbenon. Visitors can wander the surrounding landscaped park, which hosts free summer events like the Lausanne Garden Parties.
Chateau de Vidy
Set back from the shore at Vidy, the 18th-century Chateau de Vidy became the IOC’s headquarters in 1968. The organization has since moved to a modern building next door, with futuristic grass-covered glass-and-steel curves contrasting with the adjacent chateau and nearby Roman ruins. The city’s Roman Museum, a few minutes’ walk inland, offers more insights into Lausanne’s ancient history.
Coubertin’s Final Resting Place
The Chateau de Vidy is near Coubertin’s final resting place, the gorgeous Cemetery Bois-du Vaux. His grave, marked with a simple stone memorial adorned with the Olympic rings, symbolizes the legacy he gave to Lausanne and the world. Nearby, visitors can also find the grave of fashion designer Coco Chanel.
Conclusion: Lausanne Olympics
Lausanne’s rich Olympic heritage and picturesque setting make it a captivating destination for sports enthusiasts and history buffs alike. From exploring the Olympic Museum to wandering historic sites, visitors can experience the blend of sports, culture, and education that defines Olympism. As the world celebrates the 2024 Paris Games, Lausanne continues to uphold the legacy of the modern Olympic movement, offering a timeless journey through the history and spirit of the Olympics.
