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Olympic Museum in Lausanne

31st January 2007

Lausanne's Olympic Museum is one of the biggest attractions in Switzerland, and contains a number of fascinating displays designed to illustrate the history of the world's most famous sporting event.

The idea for an Olympic Museum was originally proposed in 1915 by Pierre De Coubertin, the man who revived the games and founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894. The current building is the museum's fourth location, and was opened in 1993 on the 99th anniversary of the IOC.

The museum holds a number of permanent exhibitions, including one dedicated to De Coubertin's life and achievements in athletics. Other displays span both the Summer and Winter Games, and include Olympic torches, medals, and famous items such as Carl Lewis' golden shoes.

A special focus is given to the Games' political legacy, with high-definition films and archival footage exploring events such as Jesse Owens' triumph in Hitler's Germany in 1936.

Temporary exhibitions are regularly staged, with the current feature examining the mindset and values that make for an Olympic champion.

The building is found in the Olympic Park and overlooks Lake Leman. Within the park are a number of sculptures including pieces by Rembrandt Bugatti and Fernando Botero. The rich history of the Olympics makes the museum an unmissable attraction for visitors to Lausanne.

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