Imagine a stadium roaring with excitement. The Olympic Stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is more than concrete and steel. It is a monument to a historic event. It is a testament to Melbourne’s sporting spirit.
The Olympic Stand stands as a proud reminder of the 1956 Olympic Games. Melbourne hosted the Games. The majority of events took place right here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The XVI Olympiad was also known as The Friendly Games.
The current Olympic Stand was built in the early 2000s. It was built to accommodate the Commonwealth Games. It replaced the Northern Stand. That stand was built in 1955 for the Olympic Games. It was later renamed the Olympic Stand. Inside the Olympic Stand lies the Olympic Room. It is a multi-purpose space. During the footy season, the home club uses it for their Presidents Dinner. Year-round, the room can be hired for meetings and conferences.
Between Gates 2 and 3 of the Olympic Stand is a plaque. Carved in granite, it lists all the Gold Medallists. They competed in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.
The 1956 Olympic Games saw Betty Cuthbert rise to stardom. She was just 18 years old. She competed on home soil. Cuthbert won three gold medals. She won in the 100 metres and 200 metres. She also won the 100-metre relay. She was the first Australian to win three gold medals at a single Olympics. She was known as The Golden Girl. Inside the Olympic Stand, a lounge is named in her honour.
Shirley Strickland also shone at the Melbourne Olympics. She holds the Australian record for most Olympic medals for running sports. She won seven medals across three Games. Three of those medals were Gold. She won for the 80m Hurdles and the 100m relay.
In 2006, a tribute was added to the Melbourne Olympic Games. The section of Swan Street was renamed Olympic Boulevard. It runs from Punt Road west to the Yarra River.
The MCG’s Olympic history lives on. The Olympic Gallery is within the Australian Sports Museum. It is located inside the Olympic Stand. The Olympic Stand is more than just a structure. It is a living tribute. It celebrates the spirit of the 1956 Olympic Games. It honors the athletes who made history here.