Olympic Stadium

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Olympic Stadium Map
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Olympic Stadium

Classic functionalism

1 Paavo Nurmen tie
Helsinki 00250
+358 (0)9 4366 010
http://www.stadion.fi/

The Helsinki Olympic Stadium is a majestic piece of functionalist architecture. Designed by Yrjö Lindgren and Toivo Jäntti, it was completed in 1940; since then it has seen many renovations and changes. The bleachers are much more comfortable now, and the stadium can accommodate 40,000 people. Originally constructed as a venue for the 1940 Olympic Games (cancelled because of WWII), the stadium is best known for hosting the 1952 Olympics. Its most famous part is the 72 meter tower, which also offers one of the best views of the city. It plays host to numerous concerts, and amateur and professional sporting events (including the World Cup), hosts the Finland vs. Sweden athletics every other year, and is also home to the Finnish Sport Museum. Next to the car park is the statue of one of the world's all—time greatest athletes, the legendary Paavo Nurmi. The statue was sculpted by Wäinö Aaltonen in 1952, the year Nurmi was given the honour of lighting the Olympic torch. A statue of another great Finnish athlete of the 1970s, Lasse Viren, is across the street.

Review © 2009, Wcities

Olympic Stadium Photo: Olli Alopaeus	Olympic Stadium Photo: Olli Alopaeus	Olympic Stadium Photo: grisok	Olympic Stadium Photo: Harri Paavolainen	Olympic Stadium Photo: Mike Lipscomb	Olympic Stadium Photo: Docnico	Olympic Stadium Photo: Brit Steiner	Olympic Stadium Photo: Erik Lammerding
Olympic Stadium Photo: Gemma Gray	Olympic Stadium Photo: Caroline Yu	Olympic Stadium Photo: filmvanalledag	Olympic Stadium Photo: jokuhn	Olympic Stadium Photo: Neil Sneddon	Olympic Stadium Photo: David Procházka	Olympic Stadium Photo: Peter	Olympic Stadium Photo: Paul Hart
Olympic Stadium Photo: Heikki Alanen	Olympic Stadium Photo: Anssi Koskinen	Olympic Stadium Photo: Michael Keenan - UK	Olympic Stadium Photo: hitthepanicbutton	Olympic Stadium Photo: j boyes	Olympic Stadium Photo: bsmldr	Olympic Stadium Photo: Bernhard Snizek	Olympic Stadium Photo: pexi1972
Olympic Stadium Photo: transwede	Olympic Stadium Photo: Eric Chicas	Olympic Stadium Photo: John Kong	Olympic Stadium Photo: pokrakam	Olympic Stadium Photo: Matti Sillanpää	Olympic Stadium Photo: Matt	Olympic Stadium Photo: Soleado84	Olympic Stadium Photo: Chris_W_
Olympic Stadium Photo: Florian Greiner	Olympic Stadium Photo: Jacqui Espin	Olympic Stadium Photo: Loek van der Helm	Olympic Stadium Photo: eman866	Olympic Stadium Photo: Moss Doerksen	Olympic Stadium Photo: Jay Reeder	Olympic Stadium Photo: Lassi Kurkijärvi	Olympic Stadium Photo: Simon O'Brien
Olympic Stadium Photo: Timo Kirkkala	Olympic Stadium Photo: Rodolfo França	Olympic Stadium Photo: Bill	Olympic Stadium Photo: Erkki Punttila	Olympic Stadium Photo: Jussi Vestman