Commitment to Lausanne, the Olympic Capital

With the opening of Olympic House the IOC confirms its attachment to Lausanne, the Olympic Capital. The first stone of the building was laid in 2015, which celebrated 100 years of the IOC’s presence in Lausanne.

This high-quality architectural project, developed in close consultation with the local authorities, offers the region an emblematic architectural landmark.

Located inside a public park that welcomes a diverse group of visitors, Olympic House becomes an important element of the Louis Bourget Park. The design is intended to ensure that the building fits into its environmental and historic setting and integrates with the local community.

The Olympic House is a privately funded investment in sustainability, legacy (in Lausanne), operational efficiency and local development. The project represents an investment by the IOC in the local economy, just as it has done for over a century.

The IOC partnered with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) and offered local architecture students the chance to come up with innovative solutions with regard to the reuse of materials from the former building prior to its deconstruction. A number of other projects in collaboration with local associations and schools were also initiated throughout the building process.

The construction of Olympic House helped discover the former commercial port of the Roman town of Lousonna (the ancient name of the city of Lausanne). Thanks to the archaeological studies financed by the IOC, the history of the city of Lausanne is now better known, and the findings, once analysed, will be displayed at the Roman Museum in Vidy.

In parallel with the construction of the new building, the Château de Vidy, a building included in the Canton de Vaud’s architectural census, has been fully renovated.

Olympic House is the first milestone in a series of investments in sports infrastructure in the lead-up to the Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020. Lausanne will host the third edition of the Winter YOG from 10 to 22 January 2020. The event will bring together some 1,880 athletes aged from 15 to 18 from 70 nations competing in 8 sports. One important venue of the Youth Olympic Games will be the Vortex, a spectacular new student housing complex which will serve first as the Youth Olympic Village. Other venues include the ice rink in Malley and the Stade de la Tuillière.

Timeline of the IOC in Lausanne

10 April 1915

Officialisation of the establishment of the IOC headquarters in Lausanne.

1918

Pierre de Coubertin thinks of a global project for a modern Olympia located near Vidy.

1921

7th Olympic Congress in the Montbenon Casino.

1948

The Torch Relay for the 1948 Games in London goes through Lausanne.

1951

The IOC at Mon-Repos.

1993

Lausanne Mayor Yvette Jaggi and Juan Antonio Samaranch ceremonially open The Olympic Museum, in the presence of the President of the Swiss Confederation, Adolf Ogi.

1994

Lausanne officially becomes the Olympic Capital.

2013

Transition between Honorary President Jacques Rogge and President Thomas Bach.

2014

The IOC Executive Board selects Danish firm 3XN as the architecture partner for the consolidation of its new headquarters.

2015

Thomas Bach, in the presence of Federal Councillor and Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports Ueli Maurer, Lausanne Mayor Daniel Brélaz and State of Vaud Councillor Philippe Leuba, launches the celebrations to mark the IOC’s 100 years in Lausanne, which are held throughout the year all over the city.

2019

Opening of the Olympic House, marking the 125th year of the creation of the IOC.

Strong economic boost due to the IOC’s presence in Lausanne

Lausanne’s status as the Olympic Capital and the presence of the IOC in the city are drawing sports federations and bodies to the area and contributing to significant economic growth.

In 2015, a study conducted among 45 Switzerland-based international sports organisations by the International Academy of Sports Science and Technology (AISTS) revealed that these bodies employed 2,150 people. Of these 45 sports organisations, 36 are based in the Canton of Vaud and 31 have their offices in the district of Lausanne. In total, the international sports industry generates in excess of CHF 1.07 billion per year in Switzerland, with CHF 550 million coming from the Canton of Vaud, and CHF 250 million from the Lausanne region. Each franc injected into the Swiss economy by the international sports sector generates CHF 1.55 in additional income.

International sport has also had a significant impact on business tourism: congresses, seminars, training courses and similar events result in more than 32,000 overnight stays per year in Switzerland.

In addition, the international sports industry has helped to boost the profile of Switzerland, the Canton of Vaud and the city of Lausanne internationally.

Source: Report from the International Academy of Sports Science and Technology (AISTS) covering the period 2008-2013, published in 2015.