Countries pour billions of dollars into hosting the Olympic Games, building stadiums, accommodations and other venues for both the athletes and attendees. They’re some of the most magnificent sporting structures ever erected, but do you know what happens to them once the Games leave? While many continue to be used, some are abandoned, serving as deteriorating reminders of what once was a two-week bonanza of sport.
Olympic Baseball Stadium in Athens, Greece
Baseball has had an on-again, off-again relationship with the Olympics, with it appearing at some Games and not being put on at others. It did take place at the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece, for which a baseball stadium was built.
The site, which is part of the Hellinikon Olympic Complex, has since been abandoned, leaving the field and surrounding bleachers to weather the elements without any maintenance.
Olympic swimming pool in Estal, Germany
The 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany, were quite controversial, given the continued rise of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party and their rhetoric throughout the country. That being said, 49 nations participated, including Canada, the United States, Peru, Egypt and Australia.
Nearly 100 years old, the Olympic Village in Elstal has been abandoned, becoming an eerie look back at the past. The above image is of a swimming pool, which has been emptied and left to gather dust.
Olympics Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The above image shows one of the swimming pools used at the Olympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016. Intended to only be a temporary structure, the Olympic Aquatics Stadium was abandoned after the event came to an end.
In 2024, the site had been fully dismantled, with the pools being donated across the city for other projects.
Olympic Jumps in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Located on the Igman mountain plateau in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, these Olympic Jumps were the place to be at the 1984 Winter Olympics. They were abandoned following the Games, and while there were plans to renovate the site, it has been left to return to nature.
Hellinikon Olympic Complex in Athens, Greece
Another sad reminder of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. While this ripped sign once welcomed athletes to the Hellinikon Olympic Complex, today it serves as a reminder of what became of the site following the closure of the event.
Herne Hill Velodrome in London, United Kingdom
While not fully abandoned, the Herne Hill Velodrome in London, United Kingdom, hosted various events at the 1948 Olympic Games. One of the oldest cycling tracks in the world, the site has also played host to competitions outside of the Olympics.
While not abandoned, it was beginning to show its age, giving it the appearance of being left to the elements. It’s since undergone major renovations, ensuring it’ll remain in use for (maybe) another century.
Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
We’ve seen an interior view of the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and now we’re taking a look at what the exterior looked like once the building was abandoned. What an eerie contrast to how it looked while the Games were occurring.
Paralympic Games mascot in Beijing, China
We think everyone can agree that the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics in 2008 had the cutest mascots (unlike the weird one used by the 2024 Paris Games… We still don’t know what it’s supposed to be).
Sadly, many of them were left abandoned once the Games were over, like Fu Niu Lele. We know the mascot is meant to represent “a harmonious co-existence between mankind and nature,” but abandoning the ox in the middle of a forest is a bit much.
Olympic Jumps in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
You’ll find that much of the photos captured at the site of the 1984 Winter Olympics feature various views of the Olympic Jumps. This one shows the logo for the Olympic Games, which has been destroyed in the decades since the event.
Olympic Baseball Stadium in Athens, Greece
Here’s another look at the bleachers at the abandoned Olympic Baseball Stadium in Athens, Greece. This view shows that not only are the seats covered in dirt, but uncollected garbage litters the site.
Olympic Village in Estal, Germany
The Olympic Village for the 1936 Berlin Olympics was erected in Estal, located a few kilometers west of the host city. As with the swimming pool we featured earlier, it, too, has been abandoned.
Olympic Canoe/Kayak Slalom Centre in Athens, Greece
We’ve never seen what a canoe and kayaking course looks like without any water, and while we didn’t know what to expect, we’re not sure this is it – it looks like a skateboard park, just without the jumps.
Located in the Hellinikon Olympic Complex, the Olympic Canoe/Kayak Slalom Centre was the site of fierce competition during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Olympic venue in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
If we hadn’t been told this image was of one of the Olympic venues in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, we would have assumed it could have been any abandoned building anywhere in the world. If there’s one hallmark of a site left to rot, it’s the graffiti that’s been sprayed on the walls.
Olympic Games mascot in Beijing, China
Why were all the mascots from the 2008 Beijing Olympics left abandoned in wooded areas?! This particular one is Huanhuan, one of the five Fuwa (“good-luck dolls“) that served as the event’s ambassadors.
Representing the red ring in the official logo for the Olympic Games, he was said to excel at racquet and ball sports.
Olympic bobsleigh track in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Germany didn’t just host the 1936 Summer Olympics, it also held the Winter Games that same year! Unlike the summer event, the 1936 Winter Olympics were held in the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
The last time the same country would host both Olympic Games in the same year, the event also served as the last running of the Winter Olympics until 1948, thanks to the outbreak of World War II just three years later.
Tower in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Serving as a constant reminder of the 1984 Winter Games, this tower, featuring the Olympic Games logo, rises into the sky in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Eugenio Monti Olympic bobsleigh track in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
It would be understandable if you think Italy is a weird place to hold the Winter Olympics, given the country is known for its hot weather, but there are actually a number of areas that receive a significant amount of snowfall. That’s why the nation was picked to host the upcoming 2026 event.
Now, we know the site isn’t abandoned, as it hasn’t even been put to use yet, but we wanted to include this image of the Eugenio Monti Olympic bobsleigh track in Cortina d’Ampezzo because it looks like it’s been left to nature. We can’t wait to see the action it’ll host in just a few years’ time!
Bobsleigh track near Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Like the Games that took place before and after it, the 1984 Winter Olympics featured bobsleigh, one of the most terrifying sports, if you ask us. Located near Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the site has become a favorite place of graffiti artists.
Olympic golf course in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Golf has only been included in the Summer Olympics a handful of times, with the Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, welcoming the sport back after an over-100-year absence (it was last featured in 1906).
The above image shows a number of prefabricated houses that were built near the Olympic golf course for the 2016 Summer Games. Similar to other venues built for the event, they’ve since been abandoned.
Olympic Village in Athens, Greece
If there’s one swimming pool you’ll never catch us diving into, it’s this one at the Olympic Village in Athens, Greece. We’re starting to see why the other abandoned pools were drained… That is disgusting.
Olympic Jumps in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Here’s a closer look of the Olympic Jumps erected on the Igman mountain plateau in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. They don’t look all that steep from afar, but when you see them at this angle… Let’s just say we now understand why ski jumping is considered an extreme sport.
Olympic Village in Estal, Germany
This was one of the buildings where athletes participating in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany, stayed. By the looks of it, the structure definitely couldn’t house anyone today – it looks like a gust of wind could blow it over!
Olympic Tennis Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Constructed on the site of the former Nelson Piquet International Autodrome, the Olympic Tennis Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has been left in various stages of disrepair since the 2016 Summer Games. While it continues to see action on and off, obvious signs of disrepair and neglect can be seen.
Faliro Coastal Zone Olympic Complex in Athens, Greece
The Faliro Coastal Zone Olympic Complex in Athens, Greece, consisted of an outdoor beach volleyball stadium and two indoor arenas. As the above image shows, it’s been left abandoned, with graffiti artists breaking in and leaving their mark on the walls.
Olympic Village in Estal, Germany
Here’s a look at the gymnasium that was built at the Olympic Village in Estal, Germany, for the 1936 Summer Olympics. While abandoned, it looks like it’s fared pretty well, compared to other venues on our list.
Olympic Jumps in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Here’s another view of the Olympic Jumps used during the 1984 Winter Olympic. What can we say, it’s what draws photographers when they visit the now-abandoned sporting venue.
Hindenburghaus facility in Elstal, Germany
If you squint your eyes, you’ll see an image of Soviet revolutionary Vladimir Lenin painted on the wall of the Hindenburghaus facility in Estal, Germany. The building played host of cultural shows and functions during the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Following its capture by the Red Army during World War II, the site was turned into a military base that also doubled as a training site for the Soviet Union‘s own Olympic athletes.
Olympic Softball Stadium in Athens, Greece
Similar to baseball, softball’s appearances at the Summer Olympics have been few and far between. It was held at the four Games that occurred between 1996 and 2008, after which it wasn’t put on again until 2020. It won’t make another appearance until the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, California.
The Olympic Softball Stadium in Athens, Greece, has been abandoned since the city held the Summer Olympics back in 2004. As you can see, the field where teams once played the game has become overgrown, due to a lack of maintenance.
Olympic Jumps in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
This is the last photo we’ll include of the Olympic Jumps in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – promise. We just wanted to show this close-up, so you can see how well-built the jumps themselves are. Some 40 years after the 1984 Winter Olympics, they’re still looking solid.
Olympic Aquatic Centre in Athens, Greece
Given how many Olympic swimming pools have been abandoned over the decades, are you surprised the one at the Olympic Aquatic Centre in Athens, Greece, suffered the same fate? As you can see, this is where the diving events were held during the 2004 Summer Games.
Hindenburghaus facility in Estal, Germany
You’ve seen the interior of the Hindenburghaus facility in Estal, Germany, so now it’s time to see the exterior. While the inside doesn’t immediately signal the site has been abandoned, the outside certainly does.
Bobsleigh track near Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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We’re closing out our article about abandoned Olympic venues with one last look at the bobsleigh track near Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. We have to admit, the graffiti adds a bit of color to the otherwise drab concrete structure.
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