When Did Prague Host the Olympics?

By Michael Ferguson

Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, has been a popular destination for tourists around the world. With its rich culture, stunning architecture, and picturesque landscapes, Prague has also been a host to several major international events including sports competitions. One such event that many people may not know about is the Olympics.

When Did Prague Host the Olympics?

Prague has never hosted the Summer or Winter Olympics. However, it did have an opportunity to do so in 1936.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had awarded the 1936 Winter Olympics to Germany but later withdrew it due to Adolf Hitler’s policies and discrimination against Jewish athletes. The IOC then offered to host the event in Prague.

However, due to financial constraints and political instability in Czechoslovakia at that time, they were unable to host the event. As a result, Switzerland stepped up to host the games instead.

Other Sporting Events Hosted by Prague

Although Prague missed out on hosting the Winter Olympics in 1936, it has hosted several other international sporting events including:

World Ice Hockey Championships

Prague has hosted the World Ice Hockey Championships several times throughout history. The first time was in 1947 and most recently in 2015.

European Athletics Championships

In 1978, Prague hosted the European Athletics Championships which saw athletes from all over Europe compete against each other.

FIFA Congress

In 2009, Prague hosted FIFA’s annual congress where representatives from football associations around the world came together to discuss various issues related to football.

  • The Conclusion:

Although Prague missed out on hosting the Winter Olympics in 1936 due to political instability and financial constraints at that time, it still remains an important destination for tourists and sports enthusiasts alike. With several other international sporting events hosted by the city, Prague has proven to be a great place for athletes to compete and showcase their talents.