ABSTRACT
Following the mixed successes of the Paris, St Louis and London Summer Games the IOC was determined never to stage the Games again as a sideshow at a World Fair or similar event. Luckily, Sweden was confident it could stage a successful government-funded stand-alone Games, and Stockholm was the only realistic option.
Original plans for a modest all-timber stadium were abandoned due to perceived fire risks. A stone design would have been too expensive, so architect Torben Grut developed a much cheaper mixed brick, stone and concrete design. This earned many architectural plaudits, particularly for the quality of the brickwork and the vaulted arcades at the southern end. Even with temporary seating installed, spectator capacity was a modest 22,000.
Innovations included the first use of electronic timing and a public address system. Now with a modern 400m running track installed the stadium continues to host international athletics events, and many world records have been set there.
