Running in the footsteps of the Olympic cities: 8 legendary destinations around the world

With every edition, the Olympic Games put a city in the global spotlight. But when the flame is extinguished, what remains of this great sporting celebration? A stadium, a park, a transformed neighbourhood, new infrastructure… or sometimes a genuine urban transformation. From the revival of the modern Games in Athens to today’s editions, their legacy has continued to evolve, as has their impact on the host cities. For this new episode of our series ‘Running in the footsteps of…’, JOOKS takes you across two continents to discover eight cities where Olympic history can still be experienced today, whether in a stadium, a park or along a boulevard.

Athens – Reviving the Olympic ideal

The Kallimarmaro, a symbol of the rebirth of the modern Olympic Games

To understand the legacy of the Games, we must first look back at their revival.

In 1896, Athens hosted the first edition of the modern Olympic Games, more than 1,500 years after the ancient Games had ceased. On the initiative of Pierre de Coubertin, 14 nations gathered in the Greek capital to revive this sporting ideal inspired by antiquity. More than a century later, Athens hosted the Games once again, in 2004. The Panathenaic Stadium, entirely rebuilt in white marble on the site of the ancient stadium, remains the most spectacular symbol of this continuity. With JOOKS, run between the Acropolis, the National Garden and the Kallimarmaro, where ancient history and the modern Olympic spirit meet.

Stockholm – The Games go international

The 1912 Olympic Stadium, still at the heart of sporting life

Following their revival in Athens, the Games soon sought to extend beyond the borders of their Greek birthplace.

In 1912, Stockholm hosted the fifth edition of the Games, marking a new milestone in the internationalisation of the Olympic movement. For the first time, delegations from all five continents took part in the competitions, whilst the organisation grew in scale. Built specifically for the event, the Stockholm Olympic Stadium still stands as a testament to that era today. Its red-brick façades and towers, inspired by medieval architecture, give it a unique silhouette. With JOOKS, explore the Swedish capital – from its canals to the wooded paths of Djurgården – following in the footsteps of these Games, which were beginning to take on a truly global dimension.

Helsinki – When performances become the stuff of legend

Functionalist architecture in the service of the Olympic spirit

As the Games evolve, the event no longer merely transforms cities: it also helps to enshrine sporting achievements in the collective memory.

Helsinki provided a perfect example of this in 1952. Following a long hiatus caused by the Second World War, Finland hosted the Games, which were marked by a return to peace and the spirit of pushing one’s limits. Émile Zatopek, in particular, achieved a historic feat by winning the 5,000 metres, the 10,000 metres and the marathon. The Olympic Stadium, recognisable by its 72.71-metre tower, still dominates the capital. With JOOKS, explore Helsinki amongst its functionalist architecture, green spaces and the shores of the Baltic Sea, following in the footsteps of the athletes who have made their mark on Olympic history.

Grenoble – The Games are transforming the city

The legacy of the 1968 Games at the heart of Paul-Mistral Park

But the Olympic legacy will gradually extend beyond the confines of the stadiums: the Games are beginning to become a real driving force for urban transformation.

In 1968, Grenoble hosted the 10th Winter Olympic Games and, to mark the occasion, undertook a major modernisation of its infrastructure. New sports facilities, housing, transport links and public spaces were built. Paul-Mistral Park, in particular, still features several landmarks from this period, such as the former speed skating rink, the Perret Tower and the town hall. With JOOKS, go for a run in the heart of the capital of the Alps and discover how hosting the Olympic Games can permanently transform a city’s landscape.

Calgary – A legacy on a regional scale

The 1988 installations, still a feature of the Calgary landscape

Following on from Grenoble, the Winter Games continue to grow in scale, and their infrastructure is increasingly extending beyond the city centre.

In 1988, Calgary hosted the XV Winter Olympic Games and developed an extensive network of sports facilities in and around the city. WinSport Canada Olympic Park, with its ski jumps and sports facilities, remains one of the most visible legacies of the event to this day. These Games are also associated with stories that have become legendary, such as that of the Jamaican bobsleigh team or the British ski jumper Eddie ‘The Eagle’. With JOOKS, discover Calgary amongst the River Bow, its parks and the landscapes of the Rockies, in a city where the Olympic spirit remains very much alive.

Barcelona – The Games as a catalyst for change

In Montjuïc, the Games have permanently transformed the face of Barcelona

In Barcelona, the Olympic legacy is taking on a whole new dimension: the Games are providing an opportunity to rethink an entire part of the city.

The 1992 Games coincided with a spectacular transformation of the Catalan capital, notably with the regeneration of the seafront and the redevelopment of several neighbourhoods. On Montjuïc Hill, the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, the Palau Sant Jordi and Santiago Calatrava’s telecommunications tower still bear witness to this period. The event also helped to boost Barcelona’s international appeal. With JOOKS, explore the slopes of Montjuïc and the redeveloped areas around the Mediterranean to discover one of the most striking examples of urban transformation linked to the Games.

Atlanta – When the Games take centre stage in the heart of the city

A public space created for the Games, which has become an iconic feature of the town centre

A few years later, Atlanta demonstrated that the Olympic legacy can also take the form of new public spaces in the heart of a city.

In 1996, the city hosted the Centennial Games and transformed its city centre to accommodate millions of visitors. Created especially for the occasion, Centennial Olympic Park became the main gathering place for the competitions. The Games were also marked by memorable moments, such as Michael Johnson’s performances and the lighting of the Olympic flame by Muhammad Ali. Today, the park remains a major feature of central Atlanta. With JOOKS, run amongst skyscrapers, green spaces and the BeltLine, following in the footsteps of an event that has left a lasting mark on the city.

Turin – Keeping the legacy alive after the Games

The Arco Olimpico, one of the most recognisable landmarks of the 2006 Games

At the dawn of the 21st century, the issue is no longer simply about building for the Games, but about how to ensure that their legacy lives on once the competition is over.

Turin hosted the XX Winter Olympic Games in 2006 and used the event to accelerate its transformation from a former industrial city into a cultural and tourist destination. Several facilities built or refurbished for the Games are still in use today, whilst the city centre has benefited from new developments. With JOOKS, explore the arcades of Piazza Castello, the banks of the River Po and Turin’s historic districts, whilst admiring the Alps on the horizon. It’s a way of discovering how a city can turn a few weeks of competition into a lasting legacy.

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