Olympic Capital – Lausanne Tourisme - Official Website

The city of Lausanne symbolizes the spirit and values of Olympism to such an extent that it was named Olympic Capital in 1994. Since then, the city has been home to the main institutions of the Olympic Movement, as well as to some 50 international sports federations and organizations.

“The Olympic spirit will find in the independent and proud atmosphere of Lausanne the guarantee of freedom it needs to progress”.

So declared Baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1915, when he chose Lausanne and the shores of Lake Geneva as the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). If Juan Antonio Samaranch offered Lausanne this title in 1994, it was precisely because he considered that in order to universally embody the values it defended, the Olympic Movement needed a clear territorial expression and a place identified by all as the receptacle of these values.

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30 years ago, on 23 June 1994, the City of Lausanne was officially awarded the unique status of “Olympic Capital” by the IOC, an important milestone in the city’s history. Since then, Lausanne has continued to strengthen its position as a centre for the governance of international sport and to develop dynamic public policies ranging from elite sport to sport for all. The city has also hosted many major events, such as the World Gymnaestrada, the Youth Olympic Games, the Tour de France and numerous world and European championships.

Giant Group Fitness Classes

18.06.2024 - 22.09.2024

Esplanade de Montbenon

Giant Group Fitness Classes

As part of the 30th anniversary of the ‘Lausanne Olympic Capital’ status, the Sports Department, in collaboration with the Urban Training association, is organising three giant group classes on the Esplanade de Montbenon, supervised by coaches. These sports sessions will be free and open to everyone.

Panathlon Family Games

17.05.2025 - 18.05.2025

Pyramides de Vidy

Panathlon Family Games

The Lausanne Panathlon Club, in collaboration with the region’s sports clubs, the City of Lausanne’s sports service, Lausanne Region and the SEPS (physical education and sports service), are organising the 14th edition of the Panathlon Family Games on 17 and 18 May 2025.

M2 challenge race

Ouchy-Olympique

M2 challenge race

On June 20, 2024, as part of the 30th anniversary of Lausanne as Olympic Capital, the Sports Department, in collaboration with Transports publics lausannois (TL), is organizing a race for the M2 metro! Starting from the “Ouchy-Olympique” stop, 6 mixed relay teams, each comprising 70 people, will have to reach the “Croisettes” terminus stop faster than an M2 train.

The Youth Olympic Games – Lausanne 2020

26 years after becoming the Olympic Capital, Lausanne became an Olympic City, as it hosted the 3rd edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games.

More information

The Olympic Museum

The Olympic Museum

Pierre de Coubertin and Lausanne

Pierre de Coubertin and Lausanne

Sports management

Sports management

International sports federations

International sports federations

Countdown clock

Countdown clock