ARTEFACTS
Collections attesting to the Olympic spirit
The abundance and variety of shapes, sizes, eras and materials of artefacts preserved in the Olympic Museum collections are truly staggering. That diversity makes them powerful tools in narrating the epic history of the Olympic Games.
The collections were first pieced together in 1915 and continue to grow today. This long tradition of preserving and documenting artefacts has enabled us to build up a unique collection with the following key areas:
• Pierre de Coubertin's collection of personal objects, which reveal the many facets of the athlete, artist, teacher, networker and sports leader.
• The IOC's historic collection, featuring unique items such as one of the first Olympic flags from 1913 and the cups and trophies awarded at each Olympiad between 1908 and 1920.
• Objects from every edition of the Games since 1896, including the cancelled Games of 1916, 1940 and 1944. There are numerous examples of all these iconic objects, with an almost complete set of winners' medals, torches, posters and mascots.
• Sports equipment from Olympians representing every continent and every Olympic sport.
• The stamp collection of IOC Honorary President Juan Antonio Samaranch.
Turin 2006, a dress for the Italian delegation's flag-bearer, decorated with a three-dimensional winter landscape of Turin, designed and produced by the famous Moschino studio
All the objects are inventoried, photographed, properly preserved and studied. The study and contextualisation of the object give it its full meaning and allow us to explore a range of themes including sport, design, fashion, technology and Olympic values.
To find out more about the Olympic Museum's collections, their history and how they are managed, please consult the Collections Policy. (soon available)
