WE ARE CELEBRATING
What are we celebrating?
From August 1 to August 16, 1936, the XIth Olympic Games were held in Berlin. The central venue for the sports competitions was the Olympiastadion Berlin, which was especially constructed for the Olympic Games. In 2011, the Summer Olympics of 1936 celebrate their 75th anniversary and the Olympiastadion Berlin also celebrates its birthday.
Why are we celebrating?
The Olympiastadion Berlin GmbH sees the celebration of these anniversaries not only as an affair of the heart, but also as its social engagement. Through the implementation of different anniversary events, the operating company of the Olympiastadion Berlin wishes to face the past and also devote time and interest in in the unique sports and event history of the Olympiastadion Berlin.
Who are we?
As the operating company of the stadium, the Olympiastadion Berlin has set itself the task to develop a concept surrounding the anniversary of the stadium and the Olympic Games and implement several events. This concept was developed with the help of local and national partners, friends and patrons of the stadium.
The complete list of our partners, patrons and friends can be found in the category Partners on this site.
What are we doing?
The anniversary events will be staged during the time of August to October 2011 and offer a wide variety of range of topics. This includes informative events like an exhibit in the Atrium of the Olympiastadion Berlin, discussions on the history of the stadium, an entertaining event like the "Night of Lights" and much more. The Olympiastadion Berlin offers a wide variety and wishes everyone interesting and exciting events.
Dates that have already been determined can be found in the category Events.
We will also inform you in the category News about the current developments.
In this spirit we look forward to seeing you soon and would like to welcome you to celebrate with us at the Olympiastadion Berlin.
Your Olympiastadion Berlin GmbH
History
The early years
The Olympiastadion Berlin was built from designs by architects Werner and Walter March from 1934 to 1936. It was opened on August 1, 1936 for the XIth Olympic Summer Games. The most successful athlete at the Berlin Games was Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals in 1936.
After the Olympic Games, the area of the Reichssportfeld was location for up to 25 major events every year. This included the finals for the German Football Championship, first held on June 20, 1937.
Not all of the buildings on the property endured the war years without major damage. The bell tower was the most damaged building and had to be brought down with explosives in 1947.
On July 1, 1945, British troops took control of the Reichssportfeld and reopened it for all residents of Berlin for the first tim on September 7 and 8, 1948 for the "Eight-Nation-Sports-Festival", the Allied track and field championships.
The area was still under British control, even after bureaucratic control was given back to the German government. In June of 1950, the Reichssportfeld was renamed into Olympiastadion (Berlin).
In 1960, the bell tower was reconstructed and construction was finished in 1962.
Hertha BSC moves in
On August 24, 1963 Hertha BSC Berlin played its first home game at the Olympiastadion Berlin. In 1966, the stadium was put under monument protection and four flood light posts were erected. In 1974, the FIFA World Cup brought another modernization in form of a roof for the northern and southern stands.
The bid to host the Summer Olympic Games that was originally planned for the 2004 Olympics was put in in November of 1989, but for the Games in 2000. The entire property was supposed to undergo comprehensive reconstruction and modernization measures. Berlins bid failed on September 23, 1993 in the first round of voting.
On September 8, 1994, the British military presence on the former Reichssportfeld in Berlin ended after almost 50 years. After many concepts, surveys and reports had been conducted and evaluated - some of which called for the demolishing of the Olympiastadion and the construction of a football stadium - the Berlin senate decided on May 26, 1998 that the stadium should be reconstructed and modernized. On December 1, 1998, the senate decided that architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners had the best concept and soon after the construction firm Walter Bau-AG was put in charge of the modernization and reconstruction for the fixed price of 242 million Euros.
Modernization from 2000 to 2004
After the ground-breaking ceremony on July 3, 2000, the stadium was completely modernized. The upper tier was largely kept intact, while the lower tier had to be completely redesigned. Construction was being done while events were still held at the stadium. The new roof was not completed as a ring in order to keep the historic view of the bell tower at the marathon gate intact, which was one of the wishes of the monument protection authority.
In the summer of 2004, the stadium control was handed over to the newly founded operating company, the Olympiastadion Berlin GmbH. On July 31, the stadium was officially reopened with a grand ceremony. In April of 2005, the Olympiastadion Berlin was officially named to the list of Five-Star-Stadia by the stadium commission of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The accolade is the highest standard for stadia in Europe.
Concert highlights since the reopening of the stadium include U2, Madonna, Herbert Grönemeyer, Genesis, Robbie Williams, Depeche Mode, ACDC and the Rolling Stones.
The football highlights in the recent history of the stadium were the 2006 FIFA World Cup when Italy captured the title at the Olympiastadion Berlin on July 9, 2006 and the opening match of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 between Germany and Canada, which was the highest attended match of two women's football teams in Europe. Among the highlights every year is the DFB Cup final which is held at the Olympiastadion Berlin since 1985.
Next to concerts and football, track and field also plays a large part in the history of the stadium. The World Championships in Athletics Berlin 2009 were another highlight. Usain Bolts two world records on the world famous blue track are still valid today. The international stadium festival ISTAF, that takes place every year at the Olympiastadion Berlin is also a magner for those interested in sports.
The fourth „World Championships“, that have taken place every year since 2005 at the Olympiastadion Berlin is the Pyronale - the World Championships of fireworks. They are held on the Maifeld next to the stadium each year in September.
Two performances by comedian Mario Barth in 2008 and 2011 have also set two records. The first is a Guiness World Record for the largest Live audience at a comedy show and the second is the first ever stadium tour in the world by a comedian.
A more detailed history of the Olympiastadion Berlin can be found in our history timeline on this website. We also recommedn the book "Olympiastadion Berlin" by Volker Kluge, which is available at the visitor centre at the Osttor entrance.
Events
August 01, 2011: | Re-opening of the visitor centre and presentation of the new tourism concept |
| On August 1, the new visitor centre will open its doors to the public - but there is more: The offers for tourists will be expanded. Next to the Olympiastadion Berlin, the Olympiapark and the bell tower can be visited with just one ticket. In addition, a CTS ticketing point will be integrated, so you can buy tickets for all the events at the Olympiastadion, the Waldbühne amphitheater and many more stadia, arenas, and halls. The visitor centre at the Osttor entrance is the central meeting point for guests from around the world on non-event days. Here, you can receive information on our new tourist offers, and you can buy your ticket for a viewing or guided tour here. Additionally, you can buy souvenirs for you and your friends and family at home. On August 1, the visitor centre will glisten in its new splendor. Since April, new flooring is being laid down, walls are cosntructed and others torn down. The space is being doubled in order to offer more souvenirs. The room will be lighter and more friendly, offers seating and a movie in German and English puts visitors in the mood for their visit. From the visitor centre, guests can directly access the stadium property. The new, larger and more comprehensive visitor program offers the classic tours and individual viewings of the stadium, but also tours of the Olympiapark as well. During the 120 minute premium tour, you will be accompanied by a tour guide who will help you learn more about German sports, culture and architectural history as you tour the exlcusive areas of the stadium as well as the Olympiapark. At the end fo the tour, you can go up to the platform on the bell tower and enjoy the the fabulous view of the former Reichssportfeld. Further information on our individual viewings and guided tours can be found on our website in the category Stadium & visitor centre. |
August 25, 2011: | Opening of the Exhibit |
| The Exhibit „75 years Olympiastadion Berlin - 75 years Olympic Games Berlin“ will be opened on August 25, 2011 during the first Tagesspiegel discussion round at the Atrium inside the Olympiastadion Berlin. Topic of the first discussion round is "When I was at the Olympiastadion … Successful athletes tell their greatest moments". The exhibit focuses on the year 1936 as well as the 75 years of stadium history. It documents Berlins rise to Germany's premier sports city with the Olympiastadion Berlin as the focal point. The exhibit amends the permanent exhibit at the bell tower and the temporary exhibit at the Olympic Village. It will be held from August 25 to October 27, 2011 at the Olympiastadion Berlin. Entry is free as part of the guided tours through the stadium. |
September 10, 2011: | Day of grassroots sports at the Olympiapark Berlin |
| On September 10, 2011 the state sports association Landessportbund Berlin with its sports youth, the senatorial administration for interior affairs and sports and many of Berlin's sports associations, clubs and venues invite you to the „Sports at the Olympiapark Berlin – open house“. A great opportunity for all those interested in sports and fun of all ages, for families and singles to try out different sports or just have a look around. There is no committment or compulsion! What is there to see? The Olympiastadion Berlin will be present with a booth. We do not want to tell too much, just this: it's worth stopping by. There are prizes to win for our 75 years Olympiastadion Berlin events. Stars from the major sports teams Hertha, ALBA, Eisbären, Füchsen, SCC Volleyball and Union are there on stage with Olympic Champions and are also available for autographs. The mascots from the big clubs will be around and surely Berlino, known from the World Championships in Athletics will be there as well when the mascots will face off in a competition. A hockey tournament at the hockey stadium is also being held. The Berlin Football Association will present several attractions such as a soccer court, template kick and a DFB truck. There will be live music all day and athletes will present their sports live on stage with 200 participants. What are you waiting for? The Olympiapark is open on September 10 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. without admission fee. (Entrance Olympischer Platz, Hockey stadium, U-Bahn or S-Bahn station Olympiastadion). |
September 11, 2011: | International Stadium Festival ISTAF |
| The international stadium festival in 2010 not one of the best attended and most atmospheric track and field meetings in the world and performance showed that as well: Kenyan runner David Rudisha improved upon the 13-year-old 800 m World Record and Ethiopian Tariku Bekele set a new world-season-best in the 3000 m in front of 46.512 spectators, who also saw five wins by German athletes. The event organisers are planning on celebrating three anniversaries with 220 World class athletes and 60.000 spectators on September 11, 2011: 90 years ISTAF (the first was staged 1921 at the small Grunewaldstadion), 75 years Olympiastadion Berlin and the 70th edition of the ISTAF! The German television station ZDF will broadcast live in 2011. |
September 29, 2011: | Fair-Play-Run |
| The Deutsche Olympische Gesellschaft that supports the Olympic movement in Germany invites you to participate in this years' "Fair-Play-Run" and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Olympiastadion Berlin. The starting signal will sound on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 6 p.m. at the Olympiastadion Berlin. |
September 29, 2011: | Tagesspiegel discussion No. 2 |
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Hertha BSC chairman of the board Bernd Schiphorst initiated a meeting of experts including the State Secretary of the Interior and Sports, Thomas Härtel, the CEO of the Olympiastadion Berlin Joachim E. Thomas, and stadium architect Jochen Köhn that presented ideas and usage concepts of the Olympiapark Berlin premises. The study "Future of the Olympiapark Berlin" will be presented during a Tagesspiegel discussion round at the club house at the Olympiapark. Tagesspiegel editor in chief Stephan-Andreas Casdorff will moderate the discussion. Thursday, 29.09.2011, 7 p.m. Clubhaus (Dorset-Haus) Olympiapark. Entry via Friedrich-Friesen-Allee (near bell tower) starting at 6 p.m.
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Oktober 6, 2011: | Tagesspiegel discussion No. 3 |
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The third discussion in the event series „75 years Olympiastadion Berlin“ is taking place on Thursday, October 6, 2011. Moderator is the journalist Friedhard Teuffel who will have a panel of experts on hand to discuss the other side of the medals at the Olympic Games of 1936. Answers to questions like “Were the games in Berlin normal with the political grip and propaganda? What is the unique feature of these games?” will be searched for. The discussion panel includes Volker Kluge, book author, journalist and expert on all things Olympic, Gerd Steins, president of the Forums für Sportgeschichte, and Carl-Jürgen Diem, son of Carl Diem, the general secretary of the 1936 Olympic Games. Thursday, 06.10.2011, 7 p.m. Langemarckhalle (Bell tower) - Tickets at anmledung(at)tagesspiegel(dot)de Limited capacity ATTENTION: THE EVENT IS SOLD OUT!
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November 11, 2011: | Night of Lights |
| We are celebrating the finale to our 75 years Olympiastadion Berlin anniversary. Experience the Olympiastadion Berlin from its most beautiful side in November. We are not giving away any more just yet. Would you like to receive all information on the Night of Lights from the source? Register for our Night of Lights Newsletter now. |
News
September 29, 2011: | Fair Play Run sees 300 participants |
| During this years' "Fair-Play-Run" organized by the Deutsche Olympische Gesellschaft Berlin, about 300 runners came to the Olympiastadion Berlin on September 29, 2011. The runners decided on their own, if they wanted to run, walk or stroll for 30 minutes on the world famous blue track at the Olympiastadion Berlin. Each of the runners received a certificate for their participation afterwards. After a warm-up program that all of the participants completed together, Joachim E. Thomas, CEO of the Olympiastadion Berlin GmbH and presiding board member of the DOG Berlin gave the starting signal at 6 p.m. All of the participants made it through the 30 minute run, so everyone had reason to celebrate afterwards. The "Fair-Play-Run" was supported by the Landessportbund Berlin and the „Berlin läuft“ GmbH. The "Fair-Play-Run" is part of the 75 years Olympiastadion Berlin event series. The celebrations started on August 1 with the reopening of the redesigned Olympiastadion Berlin visitor centre. The range of events includes informative events such as an exhibit at the Atrium at the Olympiastadion Berlin as well as discussion rounds on topics concerning the stadium and its surroundings. The grand finale is planned for November 11, 2011, when the celebrations conclude with the Night Of Lights. |
September 29, 2011: | Tagesspiegel discussion on the future of the Olympiapark Berlin |
| Berlin, 29.09.2011: Hertha BSC chairman of the board Bernd Schiphorst initiated a meeting of experts including the State Secretary of the Interior and Sports, Thomas Härtel, the CEO of the Olympiastadion Berlin Joachim E. Thomas, and stadium architect Jochen Köhn that presented ideas and usage concepts of the Olympiapark Berlin premises. The study "Future of the Olympiapark Berlin" was presented during a Tagesspiegel discussion round at the club house at the Olympiapark. Tagesspiegel editor in chief Stephan-Andreas Casdorff moderated the discussion. Jewel with potential State Secretary Thomas Härtel outlines the task: „The great challenge lies in creating a plethora of usages for the Olympiapark, further developing and conserving the area as a significant building and garden monument and bring all of that into tune with the modern and historic context and character of the complex.“ Five areas of interest The public rarely has gotten the chance to explore all of the facilities, and so they are rather unknown in the public eye. The area between the Waldbühne and the Olympischer Platz, Murellenschlucht and S-Bahn station Olympiastadion was under British occupation for several decades and not accessible to the public. Since the British forces have overturned control of the area back to the State of Berlin, it is now partially being used by sports clubs and health related institutions. Reputation for Berlin Architect Jochen Köhn sees very excellent existant conditions in the substance of the area: „Many of the buildings and facilities can be modernized and extended at little or at least maintainable cost, so the Olympiapark can be infused with new life step by step.“ Food for thought for investors The documentation „Zukunft Olympiapark Berlin“ describes the current state of the park and the potential for development. It is mainly food for thought and discussion and an inspiring foundation for people who wish to take part in the development of Berlin's most beautiful sports complex to come forward with ideas. |
September 13, 2011: | Exhibit at the Atrium |
| "75 years Olympiastadion Berlin - 75 years Olympic Games Berlin". The exhibit by Berlin journalist, author, historian and curator Volker Kluge shows samples from the 75-year history of teh Olympiastadion Berlin. Beginning with the Olympic Games of 1936 and reaching up to the present, the exhibit includes all of the major events in the history of the stadium.
The exhibit is free with the purchase of a regular viewing or guided tour ticket at the Olympiastadion Berlin and the Olympiapark Berlin. |
September 9, 2011: | Wall Of Fame presented |
| The Olympiastadion Berlin has another tourist attraction. On Friday afternoon, the "Wall of Fame" was presented. Working with the project "New Faces - Culture on the Road" of the Berlin Archiv der Jugendkulturen e.V., the three Berlin artists David Kammerer, Martin Gegenheimer and Lukas Marmor designed a timeline that outlines the history of the Olympic venue in one of the most modern forms of art: a graffiti! Beginning with the hero of the 1936 Olympic Games, Jesse Owens, the timeline takes the stadium visitors on a ride through history. Hertha BSC moving into the Olympiastadion Berlin in 1963 (start of the Bundesliga), the first DFB Cup Final at the stadium in 1985, the Rolling Stones concert in the early 2000s the FIFA World Cup 2006, the U2 concert of 2009 and much more up to the current days. The events that were sprayed display the diversity and richness of events that have taken place at the Olympiastadion Berlin. The protagonists of the "Wall of Fame" stand as representatives for the different eras of the 75-year history of the stadium. With more than 800 kilograms in weight and 42 meters in length at a two meter height, the new artwork at the Olympiastadion Berlin takes the visitors to the stadium on a colorful ride through history. The "Wall of Fame" can be found next to the Olympic pool on the premises of the Olympiastadion Berlin. |
September 8, 2011: | Interview with Joachim E. Thomas in musikmarkt magazine |
| Ivana Dragila from musikmarkt magazine spoke with the CEO of the Olympiastadion Berlin GmbH Mr. Joachim E. Thomas on the occasion of the 75th birthday of the Olympiastadion Berlin.
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To the interview (Edition 35/11) (German only)
website musikmarkt magazineAugust 26, 2011: | Theme week at 105`5 Spreeradio |
| The 75 year anniversary of the Olympiastadion Berlin is being honored with a theme week by Berlin radio station 105'5 Spreeradio. From August 22 until August 26, you will hear interesting facts, figures, stories and information on the Olympiastadion Berlin - Every day at 7.10 a.m., 11.40 a.m. and 3.40 p.m. Exciting football nights, spectacular athletics World Championships, Stadium Festivals and unforgettable concerts make the Olympiastadion Berlin a focal point for events in Berlin for three quarters of a century. During the week you will receive an extensive and exciting overview of history, sports and events of the past 75 years at 105`5 Spreeradio. |
August 25, 2011: | Tagesspiegel Diskussionsrunde |
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Olympic Games are the biggest sporting event worldwide – should Berlin bid once more to host them? This question looms 75 years after the 1936 games and the failed bid to host the Olympic Winter Games in Munich in 2018. „Berlin trains for Olympic Games – Opportunities and risks of a new bid“ is the topic to be discussed by a qualified panel at the Jesse-Owens-Lounge at the Olympiastadion Berlin: Thomas Härtel, state secretary for sports, Prof. Dr. Roland Baar, multiple rowing World Champion and Olympic medalists and former IOC member, Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Fuchs, former marketing boss of the Berlin bid for the 2000 Olympic Games and Dr. Gabriele Hiller, sports political speaker for the party Die Linke in the Berlin Senate. |
August 10, 2011: | Exhibit by the Sports museum Berlin and the forum for sports history Berlin e.V |
| The Sports museum Berlin and the forum for sports history Berlin e.V. are showing a new picture exhibit with 100 unknown, rare or unpublished photographs from the 1936 Olympic Games at the Haus des Deutschen Sports (Lichthof) starting on August 15, 2011. The staging of the Olympic Games by the Nazis also included the functionalization and the exercise of power over the photo journalists. Ca. 120 photographers were officially allowed – but no photo reporters from other countries. The image press office was under the supervision of a propaganda ministry employee and the „comprehensive supply of the world's press with pictures“ was strictly supervised and controlled. The photographers were told the exact date, time and location of where they had to take pictures and the distribution was done solely by the image press centers at the main media centres (Berlin & Kiel) and at the Olympiastadion Berlin. Of the approximately 15.950 pictures taken, the ones publised in newspapers, special edition books or magazines and the trading card books were the most widely distributed and are - due to the high circulation - available up until today. Publicists and press use this image pool up until today as it is easily accessible. The sports museum Berlin and the forum for sports history Berlin – the development association of the sports museum Berlin have an image pool of 1.179 photos of which 600 have still not been published. The exhibit shows a selection of them, treating topics such as the stadium construction, event preparations, organization and advertising as well as athletes during competition but also during their free time, the work of the media and photographers and the instrumentalization and propaganda. Further information |
August 1, 2011: | Visitor centre officially opened |
| At 12.30 p.m. it was time clock. Chairman and CEO of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin GmbH, Secretary of State Thomas Härtel, and Joachim E. Thomas, along with architect Kemal Akay cut the red ribbon and inaugurated the modernized, completely redesigned visitor center, a ceremony. In preparation for opening the two stood side by representatives of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin Anja Baumann of the Berlin advertising agency Runze & Casper and Manfred Uhlitz, operator of the Glockenturm on the podium for journalists to answer questions. The press conference was moderated by Christopher Meyer, who was able to welcome in his capacity as spokesman for the Olympic Stadium in Berlin as well as an extremely gracious host other weather gods. "75 years Olympiastadion Berlin - 75 years Olympic Games in Berlin" Along with the opening of the new visitor center is now also implemented the concept as well as new visitors. From then on the visitors of the entire Olympia Park in Berlin is open - and this only with the purchase of a ticket! The Olympiastadion Berlin, the Glockenturm and the Olympiapark itself can now be explored on your own or visit various tours. There is much to discover on a journey through the history of the Olympic site of 1936. Very happy were the Petersens from Denmark, where they were permitted to enter as the first guests of the new visitors centre. Before the little family went back to the far north, they still looked over the site and cast a glance into the Olympiastadion Berlin. We say: gensyn Petersen family På i Berlin! At this point the board and management would like to say "thank you" to the citizens of Berlin and the many guests who travel every year from all over the world to Berlin to visit the Olympiastadion Berlin and its neighbors! |
25. Juli 2011: | Rundfunk-Tipp: Antenne Brandenburg |
| On August 1, 2011 the radio station Antenne Brandenburg produced by the rbb will inform listeners on the 75 year anniversary of the stadium in its mornign show Guten Morgen Brandenburg from 6.00 a.m. to 10 a.m. The show will give an overview of sports highlights, other record attempts and the diversity of events in the 75 year history of the stadium. The highlight of the show will be the raffle for a seat on the press gallery for the Hertha BSC home game versus Augsburg on September 17, 2011. |
July 25, 2011: | TV Tip: The Olympiastadion Berlin - A legend turns 75 years old |
| On August 1, 2011, the TV station rbb is showing a 45-minute special portrait of the Olympiastadion Berlin. Airtime is 10:30 p.m. In time for the stadium's birthday, director Johannes Mayer presents the capital city's stadium. Impressive images of the Olympiastadion Berlin invite the spectators on a trip back through the history of the monumental building. Interesting interview partners tell of their moments, memories, visions and plans that tie them to the Olympiastadion Berlin.
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Program link
Partners, sponsors
Without our partners and sponsors, the events and activities surrounding the 75th anniversary of the Olympiastadion Berlin would not have been possible. We would like to thank these partners and sponsors for their support:
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| © Olympiastadion Berlin GmbH 2011