MUNICH TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF 1972 OLYMPIC GAMES

Munich will come alive to visitors through a range of events embracing sport, culture, architecture, history, art and a culture of remembrance as it celebrates 50 years since the Bavarian capital hosted the 1972 Olympic Games.

Munich is the only German city to have hosted the Olympic Games since World War II. The global event, in the summer of 1972, was not only significant for the Bavarian capital but for the whole of Germany. The event sought to convey a new image of Germany as a modern, democratic country and marked Munich’s development into a major international city.

The Games of the XX Olympiad shaped the city of Munich and a string of events between 1st to 9th July 2022 will look back at the year 1972. Both the joyful spirit of the games as well as the tragic attack on the Israeli Olympic team will be commemorated. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary, Munich commemorates the democratic, holistic and visionary approach of these games with a diverse program. In 2022, exhibitions and events will take place in public spaces and online in the fields of sports, culture, design, architecture, the culture of remembrance and democratic shared life under the heading of “Munich on a Path to the Future 1972–2022–2072”.

The Games of the XX Olympiad shaped the city of Munich and a string of events between 1st to 9th July 2022 will look back at the year 1972. Both the joyful spirit of the games as well as the tragic attack on the Israeli Olympic team are rooted in the city’s collective memory. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary, Munich commemorates the democratic, holistic and visionary approach of these games with a diverse program. In 2022, exhibitions and events will take place in public spaces and online in the fields of sports, culture, design, architecture, the culture of remembrance and democratic shared life under the heading of “Munich on a Path to the Future 1972–2022–2072”.

Part of the program will also be set aside for an appropriate memorial of the attack and commemorations. Munich Jewish Museum will for example dedicate an exhibition to the 12 Israeli athletes victims of the attack.

During the 50th anniversary year of the Games, Munich will also host the European Championships – the largest sporting event since 1972 to be held in Olympiapark (Olympic Park) – from 11th to 21st August.

MUNICH TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF 1972 OLYMPIC GAMES
Olympic Park in winter mood © München Tourismus, Jörg Lutz

Olympiapark: a venue that uniquely combines landscaping with sports facilities

Completed in just a few years to accommodate the 1972 Olympic Games, Olympiapark encompasses an architectural landscape of mountains, valleys and a lake, with various sports facilities incorporated within, and it continues to be a popular attraction for locals and visitors to this day. The spectacular tented roof structure of the Olympiastadion in particular was absolutely pioneering in terms of architecture and design. Munich continues to demonstrate the same innovative spirit even today, as well as the boldness to implement ambitious architectural projects and ultra-modern new buildings.

Visitors can explore the Olympiastadion from an unusual perspective on a guided Zeltdachtour (roof climb), for which they will be harnessed to an iron rail that runs along the roof of the stadium while they learn fascinating details about the unique structure. And if that doesn’t provide enough of an adrenaline fix, visitors can end the tour by taking the Flying Fox zip line or even abseiling into the stadium below. For visitors who want to take a more relax approach, there is the Olympia-Radtour (Olympics bike tour) of the 1972 sports facilities. The tour covers around 38 kilometres and it is even possible to do part of it in a rickshaw with a guide

The anniversary celebrations will even turn culinary. The Hilton Munich Park was originally intended to be an apartment complex but, in 1972, was quickly turned into a hotel to accommodate additional travellers to the city. The hotel is planning to run a photo exhibition alongside a number of 1972-style set menus. The Kempinski Vier Jahreszeiten hotel will also be offering set menus inspired by dishes from 1972.

2 Comments
  1. Rolf Richter

    Would you know if Munich will have a separate celebration for all the staff that volunteered to work at the Games? Perhaps organized by the Munich Police Dept.?

    1. luc_citrinot

      Hello Rolf, please contact for general Information the Olympia Park directly for help. Thank you

      Tel.: +49 (0)89 3067-2414/2415
      besucherservice@olympiapark.de

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