German Sports & Olympics Museum Cologne
Köln (Stadt)
Important races, unforgettable matches and famous persons play a huge role in the permanent exhibition of the German Sports & Olympics Museum. The facility offers an historical overview from antiquity to modern times. Over 2,000 square metres of space, visitors can see unusual exhibits ranging from bobsleighs to baseball gloves.
Walking through 3,000 years of sports history in a few hours – is that even possible? The German Sports & Olympics Museum in Cologne makes it possible with over 3,000 exhibits. They come from popular and trendy sports. They include balls, training jackets, uniforms, masks, gloves, entry tickets, medals, promotional gifts and autographs.
That shot at a goal, the final sprint in the cycling championship and the leap from the ski jump are all easy to imagine in the exhibition areas. And what was it like as an ancient athlete to throw a discus or wear a laurel wreath? When did German athletes begin competing in gymnastics championships? And when did English sports influence German sport? The museum provides lots of information on this. Two separate rooms are dedicated to the Olympic Games. The first and last Olympic Games in Germany serve as the starting point.
Over about 2,000 square metres, interested visitors, fans and athletes can find many contemporary witnesses and sports memorabilia. These also include objects belonging to famous personalities such as Michael Schumacher and Dirk Nowitzki. Visitors can look forward to film installations with scenes from games that are etched in the collective consciousness of several generations. For example: “Tor, Tor, Tor! Deutschland ist Weltmeister.” (Goal, goal, goal! Germany is world champion).
A guided tour is twice as much fun, as little anecdotes accompany the many items on display. The permanent exhibition is constantly being updated, so there is something to discover for return visitors too. Anyone who likes to be active can let off some steam in a boxing ring or wear themselves out on a racing bike simulator. On the roof of the old Zollhalle 10 (Customs House 10) at Rheinauhafen, a football, street or volleyball party is possible on two artificial pitches.
After so much sport, a detour to the nearby Chocolate Museum is suggested. After the athletic mental training, it’s time for the second round, when visitors can dine uninhibited to their heart’s content.