Considering that Olympique de Marseille has brought so much joy, this traverse should be interesting. The Traverse Olympe might seem like any other street in Marseille. But consider the weight of the name it bears. Let’s explore the spirit of Olympique de Marseille or OM. The name Olympique comes from ancient Olympic Games.
Olympique de Marseille was founded in 1899. It’s more than just a football club. It embodies the city’s spirit. It is locally known as OM. The club’s journey is woven into Marseille’s history.
The club has secured 28 domestic trophies. This includes 9 Ligue 1 titles. They’ve clinched 10 Coupe de France victories. They have 3 Coupe de la Ligue wins. Also, they have 3 Trophée des Champions triumphs. Marseille holds a national record. They won one UEFA Champions League. They jointly hold a national record. They won one UEFA Intertoto Cup. Marseille has appeared in three UEFA Europa League finals.
In 1993, Raymond Goethals led OM to a historic victory. They became the first French club to win the UEFA Champions League. They beat Milan 1–0 in the final. In 2010, Marseille won its first Ligue 1 title in 18 years. Didier Deschamps managed the team.
Marseille plays its home games at the Stade Vélodrome. The stadium has a capacity of 67,394. It is in the southern part of the city. The stadium was renovated between 2011 and 2014. The club enjoys a huge fan base. They regularly have the highest attendance in French football. In the 2018–19 season, the average home attendance was 50,361. This was the highest in Ligue 1. Marseille has a fierce rivalry with Paris Saint-Germain. They compete in Le Classique.
Robert Louis-Dreyfus purchased Marseille in 1997. After his death in 2009, his widow Margarita became the majority shareholder in 2010. Frank McCourt, an American businessman, bought 95% of the club’s stake in 2016. He appointed Jacques-Henri Eyraud as club president. Pablo Longoria later replaced him in 2021.
Marseille was listed in the Deloitte Football Money League. At the end of the 2022–2023 season, it ranked 20th globally. Its revenue was approximately €258 million. In 2023, Brand Finance ranked Marseille 28th globally. They rated its brand power AA. The score was 71.3 out of 100. Its brand value was €173 million. Its enterprise value was €458 million as of 2023.
Initially, rugby union was the club’s main sport. The motto Droit au but comes from rugby. In 1904, Olympique de Marseille won the first Championnat du Littoral.
The Coupe de France in 1924 was the club’s first major title. They won against FC Sète. In 1937, Marseille won its first professional French championship. The arrival of Vasconcellos strengthened the defence. In 1948, Marseille became the champions of France.
Marcel Leclerc’s presidency marked a period of domination. In 1993, Marseille won the Champions League. However, a bribery scandal led to relegation in 1994.
The Traverse Olympe is more than just a street. It’s a reminder of Marseille’s triumphs. It’s a reminder of its struggles and its enduring passion for football. It’s a tribute to Olympique de Marseille. The team’s spirit echoes through these streets.