FIFTH OLYMPIAD.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 21, 22 May 1912, Page 10

FIFTH OLYMPIAD.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STADIUM STRUCTURE COST £50,000. The Olympic Gaines of Stockholm are being held in the permanent stadium, which was erected during the years 19101911, in accordance with the drawings of Mr. Torben Grut, the architect, and at an expense of about £50.000. The stadium is built of grey-violet Swedish brick and undressed granite. The plan shows a typical amphitheatre in the form of a horseshoe magnet, only tin? arena being open to the sky. The two arms of the building rest against a rocky slope at the north, being there built into the hill by means of two watch towers, behind which lie the administrative buildings on the flanks of the sloping background. This slope is crowned by -tn arcade, which completes the frame of the arena, and the united buildings at the flanks. Under the amphitheatre and along the corridor there are arranged the Royal foyer, all the dressing-rooms, shower baths, and toilet-rooms for the athletes, the luncheon-kitchen, the promenade arcades, etc. The seats in the amphitheatre can be reached only from the outer promenade, by means of 12 staircases, each of which leads to the centre of a section of the amphitheatre. Admission to the interior competing fields is gained through four portals, one at the southern end, distinguished by two octagonal entrance-towers, one in the middle of the northern arcade, and one at each end of the eastern and western watch-towers. Admission to the park is gained by three gioups of entrances for the amphitheatre and one for each half of the northern slope, one at the north-east, and the other at the south-west corner. The arena contains a football field, places for the jumping and throwing competitions, with, round all these, a running track, the inner circumference of which measures 383 metres. During the winter, the arena can be used as a skating rink. The composition of the building is a modern, independent organic development of early mediaeval Swedish architecture. Round the southern end runs an outer open arcade, looking towards the park. Its centrefort is crowned by granite blocks intended for sculptured figures, eyclus of 30 erect figures in lite size. The eight side walks are flanked in pairs by similar blocks. On the great eastern tower there is an immense block of black hammered iron, with two granite figures representing the first pair of human beings belonging to northern mythology. Ask and pillars of the sides are crowned by cubical blocks, which will be hewn into grotesque heads. In the middle, of the northern arcade will be hoisted the flags of the prizewinners. The numbers of the events ami the names of victors will be cried from the watch-towers by means of horn signals and megaphones. Right over the southern portal is the music gallery. The masts supporting the roof of the amphitheatre are of pine, coated with vandyck brown and with white ami coloured ornaments. The seats in Hie amphitheatre are of pine, painted a pearlgrey. From the masts there will hang wreaths and garlands, while from the roof there will project flagpoles, with flags of the different nations. All the entrance towers will bo decorated with Swedish flags, and also with flags bearing the section letter of the tickets. The Stadium will become a centre for northern athletes, and it will also be a forum for open-air festivities of every kind. As its acoustic properties are excellent, it will be possible to have choir festivals, public meetings, and open-air theatrical representations there. Durin" the Olympic games there will be room at the Stadium for 25,000 spectators.