From Roman gladiators and daredevil boxers to speedy racing-car drivers; the German Sports and Olympic Museum, housed in a former customs shed in the Rheinauhafen port precinct on an area of 2,000 square metres, takes visitors on a time journey through two and a half millennia of sport history. Beginning with the origins of modern sport, the journey through time takes visitors from the ancient Greeks and the Deutsche Turnbewegung (gymnastics movement) to sport in Britain and great present-day athletes such as Boris Becker, Steffi Graf and Michael Schumacher.
More than 3,000 exhibits, film documentaries and numerous media points make this tour of the history of sport a special experience. There are numerous opportunities at the museum for visitors to become actively involved. The main tasks of the museum - apart from the presentation of exhibits - are collecting, protecting and preserving historically important artefacts. Only a very small proportion of the exhibits are on display in the permanent exhibition of the museum. Thematic focal points are: Olympic Games, German gymnastics, sport in Classical Antiquity, sport in Cologne, sport and art, and important developments in the world of sport.
The permanent exhibition is on the first floor of the building and shows the collection’s most interesting posters, prints, medals, certificates, sports equipment and clothing, as well as memorabilia on the themes of Classical Antiquity, Olympia, football, cycling, winter sports, gymnastics, boxing and Formula 1.
In addition, the museum stages theme-based special exhibtions on a regular basis. Another attraction is the roof of the building which has been transformed into Cologne’s highest sports ground and offers visitors the opportunity to play football, tennis, streetball or volleyball on two synthetic turf pitches.
For further information regarding special exhibitions and events please visit the homepage of the museum.
