A collectible Soviet postcard from 1979 showing a panoramic view of the Central Stadium arena in Kyiv during a mass sports and artistic festival.
What is shown on the postcard
The image captures the fully packed stands of the two-tier stadium. On the green turf, participants in red and blue athletic suits are lined up in geometric formations to perform synchronized physical exercises. In the background, floodlight masts, an electronic scoreboard, and the urban development of Cherepanova Hill (including the Hotel Rus building) are visible.
Historical note
Kyiv’s Central Stadium (known over the years as the Khrushchev Republican Stadium, Kyiv Central Stadium, and currently NSC Olimpiyskiy) was constructed at the foot of Cherepanova Hill. In the late 1970s, the stadium underwent a massive reconstruction in preparation for hosting football matches of the XXII Summer Olympic Games in 1980. At the time of this photo, the arena’s capacity was around 100,000 spectators.
Present day
Today, the sports complex is named the National Sports Complex Olimpiyskiy (NSC Olimpiyskiy). For the UEFA Euro 2012 football championship, the stadium underwent a global reconstruction: a cable-supported roof was installed over the stands, the interior premises were fully modernized, and the capacity was set at 70,050 seats with individual plastic chairs.
Location (map)
Address: 55 Velyka Vasylkivska St, Kyiv, Ukraine
Coordinates: 50.433100, 30.521900
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Central Stadium (now NSC Olimpiyskiy).
Questions and answers
- Which stadium is depicted on the 1979 postcard? The postcard depicts the Central Stadium of Kyiv, now known as the National Sports Complex Olimpiyskiy.
- What event is taking place on the football field? A mass athletic performance is taking place on the field, featuring hundreds of athletes aligned in geometric shapes.
- What landmarks are visible in the background behind the stands? Visible in the background are the stadium’s floodlight towers, the electronic scoreboard, and buildings on Cherepanova Hill, including the Hotel Rus.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Kyiv from 1979.
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