By Susan Thomas, Ski News
With the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games just 4 winters away, a quick education on the Olympics is in order for all Utahns. And the best place to see the history of these international games is in Lausanne, Switzerland. If you don't have a trip to the Alps in your planner, you can read about it here instead. Here's a rundown on what it is like and what you can learn at the Olympic Museum.
The History
The very early Olympic games are described in many different languages and portrayed in drawings and pottery from ancient times. Important Greek and Roman works tell the story of almost twelve centuries of Olympism, from 776 B.C. to 393 A.D. These works, from every corner of Europe, have been brought together under one roof.
The Panhellenic Games-The Panathenean Games
The games began in Olympia in 776 B.C. The Panhellenic Games, associated with religious rites, were organized periodically in the sacred sites of Olympia, Delphi, Nemea and the Isthmus of Corinth. They consisted of foot races, the pentathlon-long jump, discus, javelin, running and wrestling, combat sports and the equestrian events. From the age of seven, Greek boys would begin training for the games at the gymnasium, and the best would be chosen to take part in the competitions. Crowned with leaves and ribbons, the victorious athlete was given the title of "periodonikes" (winner of the circuit) and became a national hero, whose name would be remembered with admiration hundreds of years later. There was only one winner.
The Panathenean Games, in honor of the goddess Athene, were held every four years from 566 B.C., and were certainly the largest games in ancient Greece. Unlike at the Panhellenic Games, the first and second placed athletes in each discipline were acknowledged. Another feature of these games was the promise of material rewards: decorated vases filled with olive oil. The winner received 140 vases - a very valuable prize for the time.
The First Winter Games
The first winter games were held in 1924, just a short trek from Lausanne, in Chamonix, France. Chamonix is a small quaint town at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in France. The Olympic Museum has dedicated one room to the games of 1924. You can see old sleds and skis with all kinds of winter sports paraphernalia. And you can also watch video clips from several winter games on large monitors. (The Ski News team also traveled to Chamonix, and you can read all about the very first winter games town in our next issue.)
A Row of Torches
One section of the museum displays each torch used in recent Olympic history. It is very interesting to note that the only gap in years the Olympics were held was during war. Also, the torch display drives home the change in the Olympic schedule, from once every 4 years, to the summer and winter games being held separately every two years.
A Modern Museum
In 1995, the Olympic Museum in Lausanne received the European Museum of the Year Award. It is quite an interactive museum. Even in the ancient games rooms, the visitor is well equipped with audio and videotapes telling the stories from the early games.
One of the most impressive rooms at the museum was downstairs in the video library. Here, you can replay videos from any Olympic event captured on camera. If you'd like to see opening ceremonies from Sarajevo or Lillehammer, you just push a button and watch. If you'd like to watch downhill races from Nagano, or Salt Lake City, in a few years you (and the rest of the world) will be able to see those here too.
You have probably heard quite a bit about efforts to turn the Salt Lake City Winter Games into a legacy of opportunities for Utah's youth, far after the games are gone. The Olympic Museum in Lausanne has a similar plan, already well under way. As you make your way to the museum you can see busloads of children everywhere, learning about the Olympics hands on. Teachers were helping children practice several athletic endeavors in the shadow of Olympic athlete sculptures. One group was lined up to learn the Olympic sport of fencing.
Getting There
Lausanne is a quick train or boat ride across the lake from Geneva. The boat ride provides you with an up close view of Geneva's famous fountain, and when the skies are clear, panoramic views of the Alps and other nearby mountain ranges. The train ride costs about $25 and takes about an hour and a half. The tracks run you right along side the lakeshore, where you can see castles and vineyards with rows of grapes that produce excellent regional wines.
If you arrive in Lausanne by train, you will see the big sign on the front of the train station, declaring Lausanne an Olympic City. You can hop on the metro and take it to the lakefront. Here you can find beautiful hotels, a marina, park and meticulous gardens.
As you start walking along the lake, in a matter of moments, you will arrive at the base of the grounds of the Olympic Museum. Visitors can stroll uphill along a garden walkway over looking the lake on the way to the museum entrance.
Where to Eat & Stay
Here are some Ski News recommendations: Dining in Switzerland can be expensive but we found a place with reasonable prices and some of the best food in the world, The Lausanne Palace. Rack of lamb is one of the specialties and you have to order the chocolate mousse. Brush up on your French and bring a translation dictionary with you, as all of the waiters do not speak English. Splurge and stay on the lake in the Chateau or mind your budget and try Hotel Du Boulevard, which has a convenient location just a couple blocks from the train station and metro. The botanical gardens near the Hotel are worth a visit, especially considering the view of the town and lake from the garden's hilltop.
You can also contact the Tourist Office for travel information and group itineraries.
The Tourist Office and Convention Bureau
2 Avenue de Rhodanie
Case Postale 49
1000 Lausanne 6
Switzerland
Phone: 41 (21) 613-7321, Fax: 41 (21) 616-8647
The Olympic Museum
1 Quai d'Ouchy
1001 Lausanne
Switzerland
Telephone: 41 (21) 621-6511 Fax: 41 (21) 621-6512
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