Days of Olympics past: A comparison of abandoned sporting venues, then and now

Hosting the biggest quadrennial sporting event is no small feat. The grandeur of the Olympic Games is mirrored by the vast and intricate sports stadiums. But what happens to those stadiums after the Games get over? Abandoned and left behind, these venues look nothing like they did in their time of glory. Barring the occasional conference or wedding, the locations almost look apocalyptic with its crumbling facade. It is poignant to compare the vibrant images of the venues when the Games were on compared to the vandalised and deserted edifices that stand today. Here are some haunting photos of the venues before and after the Olympic Games. 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics The dilapidated venues of the Sarajevo Olympics remain as a reminder not just of the events, but also of the damage done by conflict. The structures were never rebuilt and they remain as a memento of the Bosnian War. The graffiti-laden concrete bobsleigh and luge tracks at Mount Trebevic are now used as downhill biking arenas. 1996 Atlanta Olympics Things seem better in the Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, Georgia in contrast to the ghost of the gory terrorist bomb attack that took place on 27 July during the 1996 Summer Olympics. The Centennial Olympic Stadium is now Turner Field, home to the Atlanta Braves baseball team. 2004 Athens Olympics The venues that were once a source of pride and glory now stick out as a source of indignation for the Greeks. The depression and Greece’s debt crisis make many citizens question the need for the multi-billion dollar event in the country. 2008 Beijing Olympics The iconic Bird’s nest, Water Cube and other stadiums are still used for cultural and sports events. But many of the other structures remain deserted. With inputs from agencies