Montreal Olympic Stadium (Stade olympique de Montréal)
Montreal’s Olympic Stadium is a famous sports venue that hosted the opening and closing ceremonies and competitions of the 1976 Summer Olympics. The beautiful sports arena is considered one of the hallmarks of the Canadian city of Montreal. It seats over 60,000 spectators and is Canada’s largest sports venue.
Video: Montreal Olympic Stadium
Background
The Olympic Stadium was designed by French architect Roger Tailibert. The design of the structure turned out to be so innovative that at first the residents of Montreal did not like it, so the project was criticized in the press and authorities. Because of the bizarre shape of the roof, Canadians call the huge stadium “The Big O”. This name also has a hidden meaning. The construction of the new sports arena and the Olympics themselves cost Canada such a huge amount of money that taxpayers believe their money was thrown into a big hole.
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In addition to the huge donut-like stadium, the sports complex includes a 100×65 meter soccer field, bleachers, a swimming pool, gyms and support facilities.
.From 2012 to 2015, Montreal’s Olympic Stadium was reconstructed and closed. Today, it hosts national and international competitions in Canadian soccer, track and field, equestrian, baseball and multi-sport events. In addition, the stadium has hosted musical groups, singers, political and religious figures.
To watch your favorite teams play at the stadium is very crowded. However, in the last 40 years, the record of 1977, when 78,000 fans came to the Montreal stadium to see the famous band “Pink Floyd” perform, has never been broken.
The real decoration of the sports arena is a surreal tilted tower rising to a height of 175 meters at an angle of 45°. This unusual tower does not just stand for beauty. It holds the cables that are used to open the roof of the transformer stadium.
.At the top of the tower there is a viewing platform, from which the whole of Montreal opens up like in the palm of your hand, and you can go up there on a special funicular. From the height, the idea of the author of the Olympic Stadium becomes clear. From here the sports arena looks like one of the main symbols of Canada – a maple leaf. The observation deck has paid binoculars and an exposition of 3D photos of Montreal sights.
.How to get there
Montreal’s Olympic Stadium is located between Viau Street and Pie-IX Boulevard. Right next to the sports arena are the exits from the Viau and Pie-IX stations, through which the green metro line runs. Those who want to use ground transportation can reach the stadium by buses #34, 85, 125, 136, 353, 362 or cabs.
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