Travel & Experiences

Olympic cities

Pyeongchang, about 100 miles east of Seoul, is sometimes called "the Alps of Asia." It will become the third Asian city to play host to the Winter Olympics.

Pyeongchang, about 100 miles east of Seoul, is sometimes called “the Alps of Asia.” It will become the third Asian city to play host to the Winter Olympics.   (Jung Yeon-Je / AFP/Getty Images)

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Since the modern Olympics began in 1896, 40 cities have played host to the Games. The roster includes some of the world’s top tourist destinations, such as London, Rome, Paris and Tokyo. Here’s a look at this list and future Olympic sites.

Sochi, Russia | Winter 2014

Sochi, a resort town in southwestern Russia along the Black Sea, is nicknamed “the Russian Riviera.”   (Sergei L. Loiko / Los Angeles Times)

London | Summer 2012, 1948 and 1908

London, whose attractions include Tower Bridge, Big Ben, the London Eye and St. Paul’s Cathedral, has been selected to host the Olympics four times, though the 1944 Games were canceled because of World War II.   (Johannes Eisele / AFP/Getty Images)

Vancouver | Winter 2010

An aerial view of Vancouver, one of the hemisphere’s most ethnically diverse cities.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Beijing | Summer 2008

Lightning fills the sky above the Bird’s Nest on the eve of the Beijing Olympics’ closing ceremony.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Athens | Summer 2004, 1906 and 1896

The abandoned Olympic beach volleyball venue built for the 2004 Games in southern Athens. The Greek city played host to the first modern Olympic Games, held in 1896.  (Thanassis Stavrakis / Associated Press)

Sydney | Summer 2000

The Queen Mary 2 docked at Sydney Harbor. To the left is the Sydney Opera House.   (Matt Blyth / Getty Images)

Atlanta | Summer 1996

Georgia Dome, left, was a venue during the Atlanta Olympics.  (Dave Martin / Associated Press)

Barcelona | Summer 1992

Antoni Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, center, has been in construction since the late 1800s.   (David Ramos / Getty Images)

Albertville, France | Winter 1992

The town of Albertville, nestled in the French Alps, celebrates the 20th anniversary of the 1992 Games at Olympic Park.   (Jean-Pierre Clatot / AFP/Getty Images)

Seoul, South Korea | Summer 1988

With a population of about 10 million, Seoul is one of the world’s largest cities. Its history dates back 600 years. Historic sites include Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces.  (Dan Istitene / Getty Images)

Los Angeles | Summer 1984 and 1932

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has hosted the Olympics twice, in 1984 and 1932.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina | Winter 1984

Skier Jure Franko won the first Winter Olympics medal for what was then Yugoslavia at the 1984 Games.  (Amel Emric / Associated Press)

Moscow | Summer 1980

Moscow’s Red Square.   (Sergei Supinsky / AFP/Getty Images)

Lake Placid, New York | Winter 1980, 1932

Students skate on the oval just outside the arena in which the U.S. won the 1980 hockey gold medal.  (Jim McKnight / Associated Press)

Montreal | Summer 1976

French-speaking Montreal is Quebec’s largest city and serves as its cultural and economic capital.   (Stephan Poulin / Associated Press)

Mexico City | Summer 1968

An aerial view of Mexico City’s Palace of Fine Arts.  (Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP/Getty Images)

Tokyo | Summer 1964

The National Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, which served as the main venue for the 1964 Games.  (Kimimasa Mayama / EPA)

Rome | Summer 1960

Statues at Stadium of the Marbles in Rome, an Olympic venue during the 1960 Games.   (Gregorio Borgia / Associated Press)

Melbourne, Australia | Summer 1956

People watch the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games at Federation Square in Melbourne. The 1956 Olympics marked the first time the Games were held in the Southern Hemisphere.   (Scott Barbour / Getty Images)

Stockholm | Summer 1956 and 1912

Due to Australia’s strict quarantine regulations, Stockholm held the equestrian events of the 1956 Olympics.   (Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP/Getty Images)

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy | Winter 1956

Cortina d’Ampezzo, in northern Italy, is known for ski slopes and scenery.   (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP/Getty Images)

Helsinki, Finland | Summer 1952

Sixty years after the 1952 Games, many venues that hosted the Helsinki Olympics are still in use, including Olympic Stadium.   (Otto Turunen / Associated Press)

St. Moritz, Switzerland | Winter 1948 and 1928

Horses race on a frozen Lake St. Moritz.   (Alex Livesey / Getty Images)

Berlin | Summer 1936

Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, built for the 1936 Summer Games. The city was selected to host the 1916 Games, but they were canceled due to World War I.   (Anick Jesdanun / Associated Press)

Paris | Summer 1924 and 1900

The Eiffel Tower in Paris. Women participated in the Olympics for the first time in 1900.  (Richard Derk / Los Angeles Times)

Chamonix, France | Winter 1924

St. Michel church in Chamonix.   (Jean-Pierre Clatot /AFP/Getty Images)

Antwerp, Belgium | Summer 1920

Flags fly outside Antwerp City Hall.   (Dirk Waem / AFP/Getty Images)

St. Louis | Summer 1904

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The 1904 Games marked the first time gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded for first, second and third place.   (Karen Bleier / AFP/Getty Images)

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