FACTSHEET THE

UPDATE - DECEMBER 2013

THE OLYMPIC MUSEUM GETS Olympic Movement into reality. This Museum designed by Mexican architect Pedro Ramírez A MAKE-OVER Vázquez and Jean-Pierre Cahen from THE OLYMPIC MUSEUM’S AMBITION , was designed to embody three The Museum is keen to share and pass on aspects of Pierre de Coubertin’s visionary Olympic values and to enable everyone to take inspiration: culture, sharing and education part in the Olympic experience before, during through sport. The purpose of The Olympic and after the Games. The Museum’s vision, like Museum is to help people understand and share that of the Olympic Movement as a whole, is to the «Olympic idea» over and above celebrating contribute to building a better world through the Games themselves, and to highlight the sport. Its mission is to be an international Games’ contribution to the societies of multimedia hub, a powerful cultural voice yesterday, today and tomorrow. As the home of serving the Olympic ideal. Every day, The the Olympic Fire between the Games, The Museum celebrates the champions, enthusiasts, Museum pays a continuous tribute to those men creators, designers and volunteers, with no and women who celebrate the Olympic idea and distinction between their origins or culture, who keep it alive before, during and after the Games. every two years come together to build the Naturally this includes the athletes but also the fascinating and unifying event which is the . The Olympic Games bear designers, builders, artists, volunteers, young witness to and are a metaphor for the constant sportspeople, and all of those who work so hard changes underway in our societies. For its part, to ensure that, every two years Baron Pierre de The Museum provides a daily connection with Coubertin’s dream comes to life once again in a these Games. History, the power of creativity new and revitalised form, fully in keeping with and innovation, scientific progress and the the times. human effort at the heart of this amazing collective adventure are celebrated through THE NEW MUSEUM PROJECT passion, information and education. The In 2007, under the impetus of President Olympic Museum goes beyond sport to observe Jacques Rogge, the International Olympic and analyse the cultural developments facing us Committee decided to completely renovate The today and tomorrow and the changing nature of Museum with a project aimed at nothing less human experience. It seeks to provoke than total excellence, in line with its international dialogue, helping people to understand and to role and reputation. This ambitious cultural and influence this perpetual movement. educational project was intended to ensure that this Museum would become one of the leading PIERRE DE COUBERTIN’S museums of the 21st century thanks to a VISIONARY INSPIRATION modern museum layout where digital features and physical items would complement one The Olympic Museum is the result of Pierre de another superbly, offering the visitor a unique Coubertin’s lifelong dream. In the plans for the experience. New Olympia to be built on the shores of Lake The Olympic ideals are central to the new Geneva, the then-IOC President had included a Museum, including a quest for excellence, museum which would house the historical international representation and emulation. Just treasures of the modern Olympic Games. On 23 like in the Games themselves, creativity and June 1993, President teamwork were a prerequisite, evolving strict opened The Olympic Museum in , organisation to ensure that everyone’s talent thereby turning this dream of the founder of the and skills could be expressed to the full. On 10

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December 2013, after 23 months’ work, the new Botero, Niki de Saint-Phalle, Tàpies or Jean- Museum becomes the setting for the handover Michel Folon. In front of The Museum, at the of the keys of the IOC from the former IOC spot where the Olympic fire burns all year President to the new one, Thomas Bach. The round, Pierre de Coubertin’s statue greets the new, fully redesigned Museum includes the public while the fire burns eternally in its latest technological innovations and a new cauldron, and the motto Citius, Altius, Fortius themed museographic approach. The public is reminds us of the Games’ origins. offered a truly unique experience and is encouraged to explore the history, heritage, THE PERMANENT EXHIBITION dreams, challenges and values which have made the Olympic Movement what it is today AREAS: THREE THEMES ON THREE FLOORS THE VISITOR JOURNEY Inside The Museum, in an exhibition area which THE OLYMPIC PARK – AN OPEN-AIR has been fully remodelled and almost doubled in MUSEUM size, the three floors of the permanent exhibition Visitors begin their discovery of The Museum each examine an essential aspect of modern with the extended and improved Olympic Park. Olympism: firstly its influence throughout the The park has actually become an outdoor world and in society. Next, the Olympic Games museum in its own right, including special areas in the true sense of the word and finally the devoted to works of art and others to sporting athletes and the Olympic Spirit. The three activities. While remaining true to the work of exhibition areas are connected by the Welcome José Lardet, the landscape architect and Spine: a spiral ramp where the history of the designer of the Olympic Park which opened in Olympic torch and its journeys is recorded for 1993, a whole new aspect of the site has been posterity. Spanning 3,000m, the permanent developed. A number of major themes now exhibition area makes use of ultramodern stand out: The great Olympic staircase forms a museography and presentation techniques with link between the Quai d’ and the forecourt interactive attractions and images being at the entrance to The Museum. It winds around extensively used throughout, including more landings which each host bronze sculptures than 150 screens and more illustrating a number of Olympic disciplines. than 1,500 items tracing the history of the major After taking their first steps inside the park, the champions, of lesser-known Olympians, of the visitors discover, engraved on each of the steps, builders, designers and volunteers who come the names of each Olympic torch bearer who lit together for each edition of the Olympic Games the Olympic flame, from the 1936 Games up to to bring the world an event like no other. the most recent Olympic Games, in London. This list will naturally grow as future Olympic THE OLYMPIC WORLD Summer and Winter Games are held. The 100m The first theme encountered by the visitor is the track offers a new path through the gardens. constantly expanding phenomenon which is the With brightly lit displays, the visitors discover the Olympic World. Visitors discover the sheer performances of some of the world’s greatest power of what is a very simple idea and its sportsmen and women on a real athletics track, incarnation in our society, beginning with the at a high jump bar or in a shot-putting area. The Games of antiquity followed by the modern park as a whole highlights part of The Museum’s Olympic Games, from the original "big bang" in collections with great contemporary artists such 1894 (when Pierre de Coubertin revived and as Igor Mitoraj, Eduardo Chillida, Berrocal, modernised the Games) to the 204 National Olympic Committees and the 4 billion people

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who shared the visionary baron’s passion for inspired by the daily life of the champions are sport during the last Games, whether as also proposed in this part of the exhibition. participants or spectators. This part of the Finally, the medals, the ultimate symbols of the exhibition also provides a chance to discover quest for excellence, are presented in a the birth of the Games in Olympia, Coubertin’s «showcase» featuring a 180° audio-visual show vision, the history of the Olympic Movement, the extolling Olympic values and providing a extraordinary commitment made by the host powerful climax to the visit. cities, their creative and architectural challenges, the opening ceremonies or the THE TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS incredible artistic productions created for the Two rooms are devoted to The Museum’s occasion. programme of temporary exhibitions: a 420m²

area and a 280m² multifunction room with a THE OLYMPIC GAMES unique view across and the Alps. The second floor, devoted entirely to the From 2014 onwards, The Olympic Museum will Olympic Games, forms the very heart of the be organising two major temporary exhibitions visitor experience. The sporting careers of the each year, most of which are designed to travel great champions and those of outstanding worldwide, thanks to high-quality partnerships. Olympians are recounted here. The changing Additionally, an events programme (including nature of the sporting disciplines and the conferences, demonstrations, screenings, Olympic programme for the Summer and Winter experiences and workshops) will be proposed Games is presented, as are the birth of the all year long, making full use of the many areas Paralympics and the . and facilities available in the park and The The visitor can discover what it feels like to view Museum. things through an athlete’s eyes. All the drama and intensity of these special moments is faithfully conveyed using the latest audio-visual LEARNING ZONES FOR immersion techniques. A database of more than YOUNGSTERS 1,000 Two educational areas, The Gym’ and The video clips makes it possible to watch your Studio, will further enhance the range of favourite athlete, their events and their Games. educational facilities available from April 2014

onwards. Equipped with the latest educational THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT equipment and techniques, and measuring The third part of the exhibition, the Olympic almost 150m² each, they will each allow more Spirit, helps answer the following questions: than 25,000 young people each year to discover How do you become an Olympic champion? a number of different themes and to take part in What’s life like under competition conditions? activities related to The Museum’s exhibitions. How does it feel to win... or to lose? What are Additionally, tablets with suggested routes the ethical and statutory limits which apply? through the exhibits and activities are available Training, pushing yourself to the limit, joy, to teachers who would like to visit The Museum drama, comradeship and the sporting spirit are without a "Coach". Either a general or themed all aspects of the Olympic world which are approach is proposed to them thanks to the highlighted here through virtual face-to-face hierarchical organisation of content and a huge meetings with the champions. A visit to the choice of educational resources. Olympic Village, where all nations and all sports meet and combine in an incredible and unique melting pot, or interactive exercises directly

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THE OLYMPIC CAMPUS THE TOM SHOP The Olympic Studies Centre (OSC) welcomes Situated at The Museum’s main entrance, the its guests in the Villa du Centenaire located near shop offers an exclusive range of original, high- the main Museum building. As the nerve centre quality items corresponding to The Olympic of the campus, it welcomes researchers, Museum’s environmental commitments and journalists, students and members of the authenticated thanks to its labels. Olympic family. Here, they find a wealth of resources which are both thought-provoking and extremely useful for their studies, including text THE OLYMPIC MUSEUM, 1993- and audio-visual archives, books and databases 2012 - VISITOR STATISTICS on major Olympic themes (such as the social Since it was opened, The Olympic Museum has sciences considered from a sporting angle, the welcomed over 3.5 million visitors. It is the most history of the Olympic Games and the life of the popular museum in French-speaking Olympic Movement). Switzerland, with roughly 200,000 visitors per

year, including 25-30,000 school children. Two- CORPORATE EVENTS AND thirds of its visitors are from outside Switzerland. MEETINGS It is the fourth most visited museum in Switzerland. One in four of the Swiss population The new Olympic Museum also has reception has already visited it, and people return on areas and conference facilities: an auditorium average every four years. It is the most well- seating 175 people, meeting rooms, a reception known museum in Switzerland, being cited room seating 170 people with a panoramic spontaneously by one person in three. terrace, the "Club Coubertin" and an exhibition area with a terrace which can host drinks buffets and receptions for up to 600 people. Several PRACTICAL INFORMATION hundred corporate events a year are expected OPENING HOURS at The Olympic Museum, from simple working - 09 a.m. to 6 p.m.: from 1 May to 14 October meetings through to gala evenings in a unique (daily) venue devoted to sport, art and culture. - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: from 15 October to 30 April (Tuesday to Sunday) closed on Mondays THE TOM CAFÉ (except Easter Monday or for special events), Situated on the top floor of The Olympic 25 December and 1 January Museum, the TOM Café stands out for its contemporary decor and its colourful sporting ADMISSION PRICES atmosphere. From its terrace, visitors can Tickets can be purchased directly at the admire the view across Lake Geneva and the Olympic Museum, no reservations are required. Alps. They can access the café directly after There are three automatic ticket machines, two their visit, or whenever they wish, via the on the ground floor and one on the 2nd floor. northern entrance, without needing to pass through the exhibition areas. Those who love Forms of payment accepted : themed and nostalgic atmospheres will love the Cash : CHF and EUR (change given in CHF) legendary items from the Olympic Games Credit card : Visa only presented on the large wall panels surrounding Cheque : Reka only (bank cheques are not accepted) the bar.

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Individual and family admissions : Permanent & temporary exhibitions GETTING THERE Full price Adults (aged 17+) CHF 18 - By train: Take the train into Lausanne and the Full price Children aged 6-16 (under 6 CHF 10 M2 metro line to Ouchy free) - By metro or TL city bus: M2 metro line and Reduced price Senior citizens CHF 16 No. 2 bus (Ouchy stop) or No. 8 or 25 (Musée Reduced price Students, disabled CHF 12 Olympique stop). persons - By car: Take the A9 motorway, Maladière exit: Reduced price Families (max. 2 adults CHF 40 - By boat: There are regular boats from Evian, and their children aged 6-16) Vevey, Montreux and Villeneuve during peak Temporary exhibition season. Landing stage at "Ouchy" just 400m from the museum. Flat rate Adults, senior citizens, CHF 5 children (under 6 free)

Group admissions (10 or more people) : Permanent & temporary exhibitions Full price Adults (aged 17+) CHF 15 Reduced price Senior citizens CHF 14 Reduced price Students, disabled CHF 10 persons (◊) Reduced price Children : aged 6-16 CHF 7 (*) Reduced price Pupils : aged 6-16 CHF 7 (*) Reduced price Children under 6 FREE (*) (◊) Accompanying adult with a disabled person FREE (*) Accompanying adult: 1 for 1-10 pupils, 2 for 11-20 pupils, etc. FREE

Audio guide (starting April 2014): CHF 5

Audio description for the visually impaired

(starting April 2014): Available in French: See Facilities and Services for Disabled People IMPRINT Guided tours: See Seminars & Corporate THE OLYMPIC MUSEUM 13 December 2013 Events & See Schools

The Club Coubertin Restaurant – Seating for A publication of the For further information, please contact Château de 90 people - TOM Café , The Olympic Museum As the chef at The Olympic Museum’s 1007 Tél. +41 21 621 65 11 Lausanne, Fax +41 21 621 65 12 restaurant since 2003, Pascal Beaud’Huin Switzerland [email protected] previously worked with Paul Bocuse, Frédy Girardet and Philippe Rochat. He offers a choice of original menus which include local produce and traditional cooking but also flavours from faraway lands.

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