Seoul Sports Complex

Korean spelling
Korean alphabet :	서울 종합 운동장
Revised Romanization :	Seoul Jonghap Undongjang
McCune-Reischauer :	Seoul Chonghap Undongjang

The Seoul Sports Complex , also Jamsil Sports Complex , comprised the Olympic Stadium , the Jamsil gym , the Jamsil swimming pool , the boxing hall and the Jamsil baseball stadium and thus formed the center of the 1988 Summer Olympics . It is located in the Songpa-gu district of the South Korean capital, Seoul , in the Jamsil-dong neighborhood .

location

The Seoul Sports Complex is located in the Songpa-gu district , around thirteen kilometers southeast of the center of the South Korean capital. The entire complex covers 591,000 square meters, of which 295,000 have been built on. The site is connected to the Seoul transport network via various routes. The Olimpic Expressway, which connects the area with Gimpo Airport and the city center, borders the complex, which includes a parking lot for 10,000 vehicles. There are also bus and subway connections. In the north, the facility borders the Hangang River . The Olympic Village, Olympic Park and Olympic Press Center were located near the Seoul Sports Complex.

history

The Seoul Sports Complex was planned even before the Olympic bid was considered. In January 1973, the Seoul city government earmarked 330,508 square meters for the construction of a sports complex that meets international standards. This planning was in connection with a general development program for the Seoul neighborhood of Jamsil-dong . They stipulated that a stadium and two gyms should be built. First, a school sports hall was built, which served schools in the area as a hall for physical education. Construction lasted from November 1972 to December 31, 1976. On September 28, 1976, the Prime Minister received a report on the construction plan. The President's approval followed on October 5th, which enabled the city government to set up an office to monitor and carry out the work on November 1st. On December 1, 1976, construction of the Jamsil gym began. On November 28, 1977, construction of what would later become the Olympic Stadium and the swimming pool began. The sports hall was completed on April 18, 1979. Finally, from April 1980, the baseball stadium was built. On December 20, 1980, construction work on the swimming pool was completed. The baseball stadium was completed on July 15, 1982, and the Olympic stadium on September 29, 1984.

Development and use at the Olympic Games

Ballpark in the Seoul Sports Complex

Part of the Seoul Sports Complex is the Olympic Stadium designed by Kom Swoo-geun . It is based on the shape of a porcelain vase from the Joseon dynasty . There is space for 100,000 spectators in the stadium. It was the location of the opening and closing ceremonies. In addition, the athletics competitions as well as the soccer final and show jumping took place there. The basketball tournaments were held in the Jamsil sports hall. The roof of the Jamsil sports hall symbolized a staircase leading to the sky. The Jamsil swimming pool can accommodate 8,000 spectators. During the Olympic Games, it was used for synchronized swimming, diving and water polo competitions. The appearance of the Jamsil ballpark is based on the shape of a Korean percussion instrument, the janggu . The stadium holds 30,500 spectators and was the venue for the Olympic baseball tournament.

In addition to these Olympic sports facilities, the Seoul Sports Complex also includes another sports hall that is used for training and schools.

Web links

• Official Website (Korean)
• Attractions: Jamsil Sports Complex on visitseoul.net (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} The official report on the 1988 Summer Olympics, part 1 , la84foundation.org, p. 150 (PDF file; 22.7 MB)
2. ↑ Information on stadium.seoul.go.kr, accessed on February 28, 2009 ( Memento from March 5, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
3. ↑ Information on stadium.seoul.go.kr, accessed on February 28, 2009 ( Memento from April 2, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
4. ↑ Information on stadium.seoul.go.kr, accessed on February 28, 2009 ( Memento from April 2, 2012 in the Internet Archive )

literature

• The official report on the 1988 Summer Olympics Part 1 (pdf) (21.61 MB)