Olympic Stadium (Moscow)

Reconstruction

On 1 January 2019, the sports complex was closed for reconstruction, which is scheduled to last until 2025. The pool is closed in the summer of the same year. On 3 March, demolition of the main arena started and continued till 25 December 2020, when the sport complex buildings was completely demolished for further reconstruction. The reconstruction project was developed by the architectural bureau of the Kievskaya Ploshchad Group of companies together with the APA company.

After the reconstruction, the complex will consist of four buildings, three of which will be combined by a stylobate and a system of transitions: the Main Building, Aquatic Complex, Sports and Recreation Complex and Small Concert Hall. According to the data released during the arrival of Sergei Sobyanin for a 3rd term as the Mayor of Moscow, Olimpiyskiy provides for the creation of: a concert venue with capacity for 12,000 people, a cinema cluster, a water amusement park, a shopping space, an exhibition space, etc. The renovated sports complex will retain swimming and jumping pools, there will be gyms, tennis courts, an indoor ice rink, a wellness and rehabilitation complex, a beach sports center - in total, more than 100 playgrounds and play areas for more than 30 sports have been announced.

Events

Sports

A part of the "Olimpiyskiy Sports Complex", it made up one architectural ensemble with another venue, constructed at the same time, the Swimming Pool. Its capacity was 80,000 people, and the stadium could hold up to 16,000 people for televised events.

In June 2014, Linkin Park performed here for The Hunting Party Tour.

In May 2014, the Government of Moscow auctioned 65% of shares in the stadium that it previously controlled. Oil company ZAO Neftegazprod won the auction, paying ₽4,672 billion rubles (approximately €100 million euros). Sporting events held at the stadium included the Davis Cup finals and the Kremlin Cup tennis tournament.

It was the world's first indoor bandy arena, and hosted the Bandy World Championships in 1989 (the first bandy world championship held indoors) and 2008.

The arena hosted the 1999 FIBA EuroStars game and the 2005 Euroleague Final Four. The 2013 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships were held in the stadium between 17 and 23 April 2013.

The venue hosted the World Boxing Super Series men's, cruiserweight final between Oleksandr Usyk and Murat Gassiev in front of 24,000 fans in attendance on 21 July 2018. Usyk won the fight comfortably, becoming the first fighter at cruiserweight to unify all four world title belts. Muhammad Ali's widow, Lonnie Ali, presented the Ali trophy to Usyk after the fight.

Music events

At the time of its demolition, SC Olympiyskiy was the largest indoor concert arena in Russia. Many international artists played concerts here as part of their world tours, such as A-ha, Asia, Depeche Mode, Mylène Farmer, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Black Sabbath, Bonnie Tyler, Slipknot, Enrique Iglesias, George Michael, Imagine Dragons, Iron Maiden, Jamiroquai, Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Linkin Park, Madonna, Muse, Nazareth, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, Rihanna, Robbie Williams, Roxette, Whitney Houston. The venue hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, the only time Russia hosted the competition.

References

References

1. (25 January 2021). "The rise and fall of Moscow's majestic Olimpiyskiy Stadium".
2. [http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1980/or1980v2pt1.pdf 1980 Summer Olympics official report.] {{Webarchive. link. (18 November 2008 Volume 2. Part 1. pp. 67-71.)
3. [http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12112 Eurovision Song Contest Serbia 2008. News – Svante Stockselius met 2009 organisers in Moscow]
4. [[ITAR-TASS]]. link. (23 May 2014)
5. {{YouTube. cwttEMCM-Y8. Russia grabs World Bandy Championship
6. [http://www.infosport.ru/eurostars/olymp-e.htm SEE YOU AT "OLYMPIJSKY"] {{webarchive. link. (24 October 2007)
7. link. (12 October 2007)
8. (2018-07-21). "Usyk routs Gassiev to become undisputed champ". ESPN.com.
9. "Moscow 2009".