The dream of Olympians competing at the Olympic park in Beijing was undoubtedly ambitious, with hopes of taking home medals. However, over 10 years after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, that dream seems to have faded as the park now lies in decay.

One of the venues, the whitewater kayaking stadium, stands empty and unused, a stark reminder of the past glory.

While some of the venues, like the iconic “Bird’s Nest” stadium, have retained their significance, the Olympic park as a whole has unfortunately been left abandoned.

The Olympic Village with its intriguing history offers a unique story. Built to accommodate athletes during the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany, this massive facility boasted numerous amenities, including a swimming pool, dining hall, gymnasium, track, and training areas.

After the conclusion of the games, the dormitories found a new purpose serving the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany, during World War II.

Throughout the war, the Olympic Village functioned as an Army Infantry School until 1945 when it came under the control of the Soviet Union. Over time, some parts of the original Olympic Village fell into disrepair.

However, the dormitory known as the Weissen House, where the legendary track star Jesse Owens resided, has been fully restored for preservation, holding on to its historical significance.

Candlestick Park holds one of the most recognizable stadium names for sports fans. It became the new home for the San Francisco Giants baseball team in 1960, following their move from New York. The Giants played there until 2000.

However, the park gained even more fame among football fans as the iconic home of the San Francisco 49ers, hosting many memorable games.

Located in San Francisco’s Candlestick Point, the area got its name from the “Candlestick birds,” or long-billed curlews, which were abundant in the region. One of the stadium’s notable features was its natural bluegrass field.

Nevertheless, starting in 2014, the stadium began its gradual demolition and was completely torn down by 2015, leaving behind a significant piece of sports history.

The aftermath of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro is evident in this picture taken in 2017. The collapsed swimming pool at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium stands as a testament to the widely reported issues with shoddy construction.

It was later revealed that corruption had played a significant role in getting the Olympic Games approved for Rio.

Brazil faced rampant corruption, with the head of the Brazilian Olympic Committee being arrested amid a money laundering investigation involving a staggering sum of $2 million.

These revelations shed light on the challenges faced during the games’ preparation and construction. The lack of proper funds and oversight likely contributed to the unfortunate state of the Olympic Aquatics Stadium after the event.

The image captures a moment of intense action during the implosion of Seattle’s Kingdome on March 26, 2000. The Kingdome had been operational since 1976 and served as the home venue for three major sports franchises: the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, MLB’s Seattle Mariners, and the NBA’s Seattle Supersonics.

However, after just a few decades of use, issues started to emerge, notably with falling ceiling tiles, including an incident that occurred right before a Mariners game. Due to safety concerns and the need for better facilities, the teams began seeking alternative venues to play.

As a result, the Mariners moved to Safeco Field in 1999, while the Seahawks relocated to Husky Stadium at Washington University. Ultimately, the Kingdome was demolished to pave the way for the construction of the Seahawks’ new stadium.

This eerie abandoned stadium holds a haunting history that sets it apart from others. Located in Pripyat, Ukraine, the stadium named Avanhard once served as the home ground for the FC Stroitel Pripyat soccer team.

However, the circumstances leading to its abandonment are unlike those of typical stadiums.

In 1986, the nearby Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant experienced a catastrophic explosion on April 26, releasing plumes of radioactive material into the atmosphere. The resulting nuclear disaster forced the civilian population of Pripyat to evacuate the area, leaving the stadium and the entire city behind.

Now, the Avanhard stadium stands as a chilling reminder of the tragic events and the human impact of the Chernobyl disaster, forever frozen in time and deserted.

The Chicago Stadium opened its doors in 1929. While it may appear packed on screen, the stadium was relatively small compared to modern standards, accommodating around 16,000 to 18,900 people.

Chicago Stadium was home to the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League from 1929 to 1994, as well as the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association from 1967 to 1994. It witnessed numerous iconic moments, particularly from legendary basketball player Michael Jordan.

However, as Chicago constructed the new United Center, the era of Chicago Stadium came to an end. The stadium was eventually demolished in 1995, making way for new developments while preserving the memories of the iconic sports moments that occurred within its walls.

The Pittsburgh Civic Arena holds a significant place in the hearts of hockey fans. Located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, the arena served as the beloved home of the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1967 to 2010.

Originally constructed in 1961 for the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, the Civic Arena was noteworthy for being the world’s first major sports venue with a retractable roof. On July 4, 1962, during a Carol Burnett show, the roof was opened for the first time, and she joyfully exclaimed, “Ladies and gentlemen… I present the sky!”

The arena continued to be a prominent venue for various events, including sports and entertainment shows, throughout its existence.

However, after decades of hosting memorable moments, the Civic Arena officially closed its doors in June 2010, leaving behind a legacy of cherished memories for the city of Pittsburgh and hockey enthusiasts worldwide.

Originally known as Uline Arena, the Washington Coliseum began its construction in 1940 and officially opened on January 28, 1941. Its inaugural event was a 13-day run of the “Ice-Capades of 1941.”

Over the years, the Coliseum hosted various events, including games for the Georgetown Hoyas and Temple University Owls, as well as serving as the home court for the Basketball Association of America’s Washington Capitals in 1946.

One of its most famous moments came on February 11, 1964, when the Washington Coliseum hosted the first-ever Beatles concert in America.

However, with a capacity of just 8,000, the building saw limited use after the opening of the Capital Centre in Landover in 1973, which had a larger capacity and more modern facilities.

Despite its reduced usage, the Washington Coliseum still stands today, carrying with it a rich history of significant events that have left a mark on both sports and entertainment culture.

The Miami Orange Bowl, originally known as the Burdine Stadium, gained iconic status as the host of the famed college football Orange Bowl game (officially renamed in 1959).

From its inception, the Orange Bowl game was played at the stadium until 1996. During its history, the stadium also served as the home for the NFL’s Miami Dolphins for their first 21 seasons until they relocated to Joe Robbie Stadium in 1987.

However, the passage of time led to the eventual demolition of the Miami Orange Bowl in 2008. Today, the site has been repurposed as the home of the Miami Marlins, a Major League Baseball team.

Although the physical structure is gone, the memories of the stadium and its significant role in sports history live on in the hearts of fans and the annals of college football and NFL lore.

Built in 1963, it was the first stadium in the United States purposefully constructed for powerboat racing. With a capacity of 6,566 seats, the stadium primarily hosted water sports events but also featured concerts and other sports, including boxing.

Unfortunately, Hurricane Andrew’s devastating impact in 1992 rendered the stadium unsafe according to Miami-Dade County building codes, leading to its closure.

Nonetheless, restoration efforts have been initiated to restore the stadium to its former glory, and it received recognition for its historical significance by being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.

Such efforts aim to preserve the stadium’s unique place in sports and architectural history for future generations to appreciate.

Montreal Olympic Stadium, affectionately known as “The Big O” due to its distinctive doughnut-shaped roof, holds the title of having the largest seating capacity in Canada, accommodating over 56,000 people.

Unlike some other Olympic venues that saw limited use after their respective games, this stadium saw substantial usage after the 1976 Montreal Olympics, for which it was originally constructed.

Following the conclusion of the Olympic Games, artificial turf was installed, and the stadium became the home of the Montreal Alouettes, the city’s professional football team, and the Montreal Expos baseball team, until the latter moved in 2004.

Despite its historical significance and vast seating capacity, the stadium now stands underutilized, earning the designation of a “white elephant” – a term used for something that was expensive to create but no longer serves its original purpose and is difficult to dispose of.

Old Wembley Stadium, often referred to as “the cathedral of football” by Pelé, held a special place in the hearts of soccer fans worldwide. Its completion in 1923 marked the beginning of decades of soccer memories, not just for England fans but for enthusiasts from all over the globe.

With a massive capacity officially set at 127,000, the stadium’s first-ever event, the 1923 FA Cup final, drew an astonishing estimated crowd of 240,000 to 300,000 fans, with many spilling onto the pitch due to the overwhelming attendance.

The stadium remained in active use until plans for the construction of the new Wembley Stadium on the same site were set in motion

Consequently, between 2002 and 2003, Old Wembley Stadium was demolished, marking the end of an era for one of the most iconic and beloved soccer venues in history.

Its legacy, however, lives on through the cherished memories of countless football enthusiasts who witnessed historic matches and moments within its hallowed grounds.

The Roman Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, stands as one of the most famous and iconic landmarks in the world.

Located in the heart of Rome, Italy, this ancient amphitheater has captured the imaginations of countless people and remains one of the largest tourist attractions today.

Construction of the Colosseum began in 72 A.D. and was completed in 80 A.D. during the reign of Emperor Titus. With an estimated capacity of 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, this grand structure hosted various events, drawing an average of 65,000 attendees to its impressive displays.

Over the centuries, the Colosseum has withstood the tests of time and has become a symbol of ancient Roman engineering and architecture.

The bobsled and luge track in Sarajevo holds a significant history tied to the 1984 Winter Olympic Games. As soon as Sarajevo was awarded the Games, construction on the track began and was completed in 1982.

The venue saw its first international competition in 1983 and hosted the Winter Olympics the following year, attracting nearly 50,000 spectators.

Following the Olympics, the track continued to be used for World Cup competitions. However, the outbreak of the Yugoslav wars in 1991, including the Bosnian War, brought devastation to the region.

The Siege of Sarajevo heavily damaged the track, rendering it unusable. Subsequently, the abandoned track became a canvas for graffiti tags and a popular spot for bicycling.

In 2014, the country embarked on restoration efforts, taking great pride in bringing back the track to its former glory.

The Pontiac Silverdome played a significant role in the history of the Detroit Lions NFL team. In 1975, the Lions moved from Tiger Stadium to the newly constructed Silverdome.

The stadium gained fame for its innovative fiberglass fabric roof, supported by air pressure, making it the first major athletic facility to use this architectural technique.

With a seating capacity of over 82,000 spectators, the Silverdome held the record for the largest seating capacity in an NFL stadium for 22 years until FedEx Field opened in Washington, D.C.

Furthermore, the Silverdome hosted early-round games of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, adding to its legacy in sports history.

However, the opening of Ford Field in 2002 led to the abandonment of the Pontiac Silverdome.

Tiger Stadium holds a special place in baseball history as one of the most iconic stadiums. From 1912 to 1999, it served as the beloved home of the Detroit Tigers. Additionally, the Detroit Lions football team played there from 1938 to 1974.

Recognizing its historical significance, the stadium was designated as a State of Michigan Historic Site in 1975 and was later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

Despite the demolition of the stands in 2009, preservation efforts have been successful in keeping the actual field intact.

Thanks to these efforts, the field has been restored and now serves as a youth sports playing field, allowing the legacy of Tiger Stadium to live on in a new and meaningful way.

Hosting the Olympic Games is undoubtedly a time of celebration and pride for the host city and nation. The influx of tourists and increased economic activity during the games often helps offset the costs incurred in preparing for the event.

However, one of the less considered aspects of hosting the games is what happens to the facilities after the event concludes. Many host nations rush to build state-of-the-art venues and infrastructure, often leading to the creation of impressive facilities for the games.

However, the long-term plans for these facilities do not always materialize as intended, and some locations end up becoming defunct or underutilized.

The softball stadium at the Helliniko Olympic complex in Athens is an example of this situation. After the games ended, the stadium, along with several other venues, faced challenges in finding sustainable uses and ongoing maintenance.

Stadion Za Lužánkami, constructed between 1949 and 1953, held a significant place in Czechoslovakia as the largest stadium during the 1960s and 70s.

Dedicated primarily to soccer matches, it served as the home field for FC Zbrojovka Brno.

Remarkably, it set a record for the highest attendance of any Czech First League game and boasted a maximum capacity of 50,000 spectators.

Unfortunately, the stadium’s glory days came to an end when it fell into disrepair and was eventually closed in 2001. Its closure was a result of not meeting new FIFA criteria, marking a decline in its status as a sporting venue.