The Olympics

The Olympic Games have always been about more than sport. Long before global television and branding deals, Olympic stadiums became stages where nations introduced themselves to the world. They carried ideas of progress, unity and modernity, but also conflict, exclusion and power.

As part of Tales of the Stands this page brings together stories from Olympic stadiums across different eras and cities. Each article looks beyond the results and ceremonies to explore how these places were built, used and remembered. The Games pass on, but the stands remain. And in them, history settles.