For most of the last hundred years, statement architecture has played a central role at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. With that potentially set to change, we look back at 15 of the most significant examples as part of our Olympic Impact series.
Due to growing concerns about sustainability, far fewer permanent venues are likely to built for the Olympics in future.
At Paris 2024, the focus has been on using existing structures, with an understated timber aquatics centre the only major new stadium.
However, the games have commissioned numerous impressive works of architecture in their 128-year history.
Some of the world's best known architects, including Pritzker Architecture Prize-winners Kenzo Tange, Jacques Herzog & Pierre de Meuron, Zaha Hadid and Frei Otto have designed venues for the games. Beyond simply forming the backdrop for athletic endeavour, these buildings have often helped to define each Olympics.
Below are the 15 most architecturally significant Olympic buildings:

Above photo via Shutterstock. Top photo by Tobi 87
Olympic Stadium by Jan Wils, Amsterdam 1928
Designed by architect Jan Wils as the main venue for the 1928 Olympics, this red-brick stadium is a key example of the Amsterdam School architecture style ? part of the wider international expressionist style.
Wils won an Olympic gold medal in the architecture competition for the design of the stadium as part of the art competitions that were included in the early games.
A 46-metre tower overlooking...