The series looks at the heritage of Moscow 1980 Summer Olympics. The 1980 games became the last bright all nation event to happen in the USSR, the last big start meant to prove the superiority of Socialist regime and ideas of Communism over Capitalism.
Olympic buildings, mostly designed in 1975-1978, a period still marked with optimism and hopes for a bright future, acted as a manifestation of prosperity and power of the Soviet State.
Up until very recently the very word Olympics in Russia mainly associated with the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
This changed after the success of Russia’s bid to host the 2014 winter games in Sochi, now marked by mass relocations of local residents, corruption scandals and constant growth of expenses.
While costs of Sochi olympic construction can be calculated and to an extent forecasted, the exact cost of 1980 Olympics remains unknown due to the specifics of Soviet planned economy. There is an opinion that the 1980 Olympics were at times close to failure due to unforeseen increases in costs, construction works lagging behind schedules (some of the venues are said to have been completed one day before competitions were to start), security concerns after Munich Olympics, the fear of political sabotage from “rival capitalist regime”. Some go further to say that the USSR may have never fully recovered from the cost of the Olympics, and this could have been one of the reasons of its collapse.
The heritage of Moscow Olympics serves as an example of what may happen to olympic venues in a time span of 30 years. Certain venues are still used as intended, some were adapted for new functions, some are left half abandoned. Many buildings did not blend into city structure, initially conceived like messengers from the Future they now look like aliens from the Past.
Anastasia Tsayder was born in St. Petesrburg and is currently based in Moscow, Russia. In 2009 Anastasia Tsayder graduated from Faculty of Photojournalism of St. Petersburg Journalist Union. In 2012 she was among the winners of Silver Camera Award in Moscow. Her personal projects and portfolio were published in printed and online magazines, such as: The Guardian, Prime Russian Magazine, ARTPHOTOMAG, Featureshoot.com, LensCulture.
Anastasia Tsayder: Summer Olympics – Interior of a swimming pool at Moscow Olympiysky Sports Complex. The sports complex completed in 1980 remains the largest stadium in Europe. During Moscow Olympics it hosted tournaments in 22 different disciplines. Currently, apart from being used for sports and musical venues, it hosts offices, bars, clothes market.Anastasia Tsayder: Summer Olympics -Interior of the smaller choreography hall at Moscow Olympiysky Sports Complex. The sports complex completed in 1980 remains the largest stadium in Europe. During Moscow Olympics it hosted competitions in 22 different disciplines. Currently apart from being used for sports and musical venues, it hosts offices, bars, clothes market.Anastasia Tsayder: Summer Olympics -Interior of a Gymnastics hall at Moscow Olympiysky Sports Complex. The sports complex completed in 1980 remains the largest stadium in Europe. During Moscow Olympics it hosted competitions in 22 different disciplines. Currently apart from being used for sports and musical venues, it hosts offices, bars, clothes market.Anastasia Tsayder: Summer Olympics -The arena and judges’ box at Krylatskoye artificial canoeing and rowing basin. The 2300 metre rowing and canoeing basin was specifically built for Moscow Summer Olympics however has fallen out of regular use since.Anastasia Tsayder: Summer Olympics -View of the indoor arena at Bitza Equestrian Complex. The complex completed in 1980 remains Europe’s largest equestrian complex. The complex hosted all equestrian venues during the olympics and currently continues to be used for equestrian sports.Anastasia Tsayder: Summer OlympicsAnastasia Tsayder: Summer Olympics – Exterior view of jumping stadium at Bitza Equestrian Complex. The complex completed in 1980 remains Europe’s largest equestrian complex. The complex hosted all equestrian venues during the olympics and currently continues to be used for equestrian sports.Anastasia Tsayder: Summer OlympicsAnastasia Tsayder: Summer OlympicsAnastasia Tsayder: Summer Olympics – Interior of Dynamo Stadium. Dynamo Sports Palace was completed in 1980 and hosted basketball tournaments during Moscow Olympics. Currently it hosts amateur sports clubs and offices.Anastasia Tsayder: Summer Olympics – Interior of main hall at Cosmos Hotel. The hotel was completed in 1979 as the main facility for tourists and also hosted one of the Olympic press-centres.Anastasia Tsayder: Summer Olympics – Exterior view of Druzhba Sports Complex. Druzhba Sports Complex, also completed in 1980, hosted volleyball tournaments. Currently it hosts tennis championships and music venues.Anastasia Tsayder: Summer Olympics – Olympic flame bowl from Grand Arena of Central Lenin Stadium and Misha bear cub, 1980 Summer Olympics mascot installed as a monument in Luzhniki. The Grand Arena of Central Lenin Stadium in Luzhniki built in 1956 and renovated for the 1980 Olympics hosted the opening and the closing ceremonies of Moscow Olympics.
