Kiwi Curated
Olympic Games Then and Now
by Darren DunneAfter what seemed like a protracted and sometimes controversial buildup, the 2016 Summer Olympics are finally upon us. Athletes by the thousands are en route to Rio to represent their countries across 28 different sports, while billions will be watching around the globe. Nearly every nation on earth will be represented, in what is considered the world’s foremost sports competition.
The Olympic Games wasn’t always this monolithic presence in the public consciousness. It has grown exponentially with every iteration, leaving behind some memorable events in cities across the globe. To celebrate Olympic season we’ve decided to take a look at some prior host cities, providing some hotel inspiration along the way.
Olympic Games Then and Now
The Olympic movement is intrinsically linked with Athens, and the first “modern” games were held there in 1896, as well as a more recent event in 2004. It was a memorable summer for the hosts in 2004 as they acquired their best ever tally (six gold, six silver and four bronze), and their men’s soccer team caused a massive upset to win the Euro 2004 trophy. US swimmer Michael Phelps also announced his arrival on the international stage by clinching eight medals (a record six gold and two bronze). The Games have left a positive legacy on Athens, with the creation of a modern international airport, expansions to the city’s metro and a metropolitan light rail system.
Where to stay: New Hotel | Hotel Grande Bretagne
Olympic Games Then and Now
Rio 2016 marks the first time the Olympic Games have been held in South America, and it promises to be the largest ever event. A record number of countries are taking part, with more than 10,500 athletes representing 206 National Olympic Committees. Rugby Sevens and Golf make their Olympic debuts, and it’s the first time a summer games will be held entirely during the host country’s winter season. Creating the athletes’ village has been a massive undertaking for Rio, with 80,000 chairs, 70,000 tables and over 6,000 television sets required.
Where to stay: Grand Hyatt Rio | Belmond Copacabana Palace
Olympic Games Then and Now
London is the only city to host three separate Olympic Games, and the 2012 event goes down in history as one of the more remarkable. Things got off to a vivid start, with Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle orchestrating an opening ceremony a cut above the usually forgettable affairs. Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian of all time when he collected his 22nd medal in the pool, while Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei entered female athletes for the first time. The Olympic legacy lives on in London’s regenerated East End, while Premier League soccer stalwarts West Ham have repurposed the Olympic Stadium to become their new home.
Where to stay: The Hari Hotel London| ME London
Olympic Games Then and Now
For years, the Soviet Union and East Germany dominated the medal count at the Olympic Games, and Seoul in 1988 was to prove the swan song for both countries as they ceased to exist soon after. On the track, Canada’s Ben Johnson claimed 100 meter gold with a new world record but was disqualified shortly after having tested positive for a performance enhancer. The 1988 Games were also the last time the USA was represented by a basketball team without NBA players, and they took bronze after losing to eventual gold medalists the Soviet Union.
Where to stay: Conrad Seoul | Park Hyatt Seoul
Olympic Games Then and Now
The Olympics went Hollywood in 1984 with a blockbuster event in Los Angeles. Everything about these games were bigger and brasher than before, something made immediately obvious by the iconic arrival of Bill Suitor at the opening ceremony via jet pack. Carl Lewis (making the first of four appearances at the Olympics) won four medals, in the 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m relay and the long jump. Elsewhere, China won its first ever Olympic gold medal, and Michael Jordan was part of the USA team to win basketball gold.
Where to stay: Petit Ermitage | Andaz West Hollywood
Olympic Games Then and Now
The 1948 Olympic Games in St. Moritz were the first held after World War II, charting an important step in the continued global recovery from years of fighting. St. Moritz in neutral Switzerland was an agreeable choice to host the games, and required little in the way of infrastructure updates, as all events were to take place outdoors. A lack of financial resources made planning the games a challenge and many competitors arrived with little or no equipment. Famously, the Norwegian skiers borrowed skis from the American team, as they didn’t have any of their own.
Where to stay: Giardino Mountain | Carlton Hotel St. Moritz
The Olympic movement is intrinsically linked with Athens, and the first “modern” games were held there in 1896, as well as a more recent event in 2004. It was a memorable summer for the hosts in 2004 as they acquired their best ever tally (six gold, six silver and four bronze), and their men’s soccer team caused a massive upset to win the Euro 2004 trophy. US swimmer Michael Phelps also announced his arrival on the international stage by clinching eight medals (a record six gold and two bronze). The Games have left a positive legacy on Athens, with the creation of a modern international airport, expansions to the city’s metro and a metropolitan light rail system.
Where to stay: New Hotel | Hotel Grande Bretagne
Rio 2016 marks the first time the Olympic Games have been held in South America, and it promises to be the largest ever event. A record number of countries are taking part, with more than 10,500 athletes representing 206 National Olympic Committees. Rugby Sevens and Golf make their Olympic debuts, and it’s the first time a summer games will be held entirely during the host country’s winter season. Creating the athletes’ village has been a massive undertaking for Rio, with 80,000 chairs, 70,000 tables and over 6,000 television sets required.
Where to stay: Grand Hyatt Rio | Belmond Copacabana Palace
London is the only city to host three separate Olympic Games, and the 2012 event goes down in history as one of the more remarkable. Things got off to a vivid start, with Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle orchestrating an opening ceremony a cut above the usually forgettable affairs. Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian of all time when he collected his 22nd medal in the pool, while Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei entered female athletes for the first time. The Olympic legacy lives on in London’s regenerated East End, while Premier League soccer stalwarts West Ham have repurposed the Olympic Stadium to become their new home.
Where to stay: The Hari Hotel London| ME London
For years, the Soviet Union and East Germany dominated the medal count at the Olympic Games, and Seoul in 1988 was to prove the swan song for both countries as they ceased to exist soon after. On the track, Canada’s Ben Johnson claimed 100 meter gold with a new world record but was disqualified shortly after having tested positive for a performance enhancer. The 1988 Games were also the last time the USA was represented by a basketball team without NBA players, and they took bronze after losing to eventual gold medalists the Soviet Union.
Where to stay: Conrad Seoul | Park Hyatt Seoul
The Olympics went Hollywood in 1984 with a blockbuster event in Los Angeles. Everything about these games were bigger and brasher than before, something made immediately obvious by the iconic arrival of Bill Suitor at the opening ceremony via jet pack. Carl Lewis (making the first of four appearances at the Olympics) won four medals, in the 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m relay and the long jump. Elsewhere, China won its first ever Olympic gold medal, and Michael Jordan was part of the USA team to win basketball gold.
Where to stay: Petit Ermitage | Andaz West Hollywood
The 1948 Olympic Games in St. Moritz were the first held after World War II, charting an important step in the continued global recovery from years of fighting. St. Moritz in neutral Switzerland was an agreeable choice to host the games, and required little in the way of infrastructure updates, as all events were to take place outdoors. A lack of financial resources made planning the games a challenge and many competitors arrived with little or no equipment. Famously, the Norwegian skiers borrowed skis from the American team, as they didn’t have any of their own.
Where to stay: Giardino Mountain | Carlton Hotel St. Moritz