Thessaloniki Olympic Museum

One of a kind in Greece, the Thessaloniki Olympic Museum is an agent of the Olympic spirit, ethos and heritage. Established in 2001 as a Sport Museum, aiming in spreading knowledge about sports, their evolution and significance for people and societies, it expanded scope and purpose in 2008 by becoming an Olympic Museum and a founding member of the prestigious Olympic Museums Network (OMN), counting today 27 multinational organizations united in promoting the values of Sport and Olympism. Since then, it preserves and communicates Olympic Values, the cornerstones of Olympic Education, in order to promote Olympism as a way of life.

Affiliated with the International Olympic Committee, which granted it the Olympic privilege, and the National Olympic Committee, the Thessaloniki Olympic Museum aims to:

• preserve and communicate the Olympic Heritage & Values.
• spread the message of the symbiosis of a "healthy mind in a healthy body."
• reinforce participation in sport and raise awareness on the significance of physical activity.
• encourage collaboration with creative forces to promote Olympic Education.
• contribute to cohesive and inclusive societies through sport and Olympism.

Located centrally, in the crossroads of education and sports between the city’s largest stadium and University campus, the Thessaloniki Olympic Museum is housed in a purpose-built 4.500 sq.m. contemporary structure. Friendly and adaptable, the m useum is designed to accommodate multiple functions. Apart from its permanent collection, it consists of spaces for temporary exhibitions, educational practice areas, sport-field simulations, an interactive experience hall and a fully-equipped Nutrition Lab, a state-of-the-art amphitheater, multi-purpose rooms and a café, as well as a museum shop.

Since its foundation, it has become a member of the International Sports Heritage Association (ISHA) and the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and has established partnership agreements with numerous institutions sharing same vision, amongst which are the Greek Ministry of Education, Research & Religious Affairs, the Hellenic Olympic Academy, the Hellenic Association of Olympic Winners, the International Olympic Truce Center and Olympism for Humanity Alliance.

Next to the Olympic Games history, there is evidence within the museum of other sporting events such as European, Mediterranean Games/Championships reminiscent of its past as a sport museum. Sport field simulations, along the main galleries, support hands-on approaches and allow the museum craft meaningful educational experiences promoting positive attitudes to sport and health. A collaboration with Science Museum (UK) has led to an interactive exhibition wherein the ways in which human body performs are presented.

For over 15 years the museum delivers high-quality educational services. Through a wide array of programs tailored to match all levels, it nurtures a community of learners encouraging physical activity and skills development. On a yearly basis, it attracts more than 35.000 students, a number that places it among the most popular museums in N. Greece. Sport as a tool for promoting human rights and fostering peace is evident in its SPORTS + PEACE (2018-2020) strategy and in its commitment to celebrations like the International Peace Day and Olympic Day.

A non-profit cultural organization, the Thessaloniki Olympic Museum remains alert to partnerships and collaborations made feasible through EU funding.

Up until today it has successfully implemented projects through the following EU Programs:
- OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME "CULTURE" 2000-2006 (“Protection and enhancement of cultural heritage”)
- OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME INTERREG IIIA / PHARE CBC GREECE BULGARIA 2000-2006 (“Highlighting and promotion of cultural and tourist resources”)
- OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME INFORMATION SOCIETY 2008 (“Development and employment in the digital economy”)
- EU TERRITOREAL COOPERATION PROGRAMME INTERREG IV GREECE - BULGARIA 2007-2013 ("Lifelong Museum Learning Project")
- Operational Programme "Macedonia - Thrace" 2014-2015 Ministry of Development and Competitiveness ("Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body in the Digital Age")
- NSRF 2007-2013 "Culture: The creative side of entrepreneurship and employment in Thessaloniki"("Local Employment Plans adapted to the Needs of Local Labor Markets”)
- DIGITAL CONVERGENCE PROGRAMME. INTERREG IPA CBC COOPERATION PROGRAMME GREECE - FYROM 2014-2020 ("CONNECT | Museums Connecting Cultures Connecting People")
- NSRF "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation" Programme 2023 (“Creation, Promotion & Exploitation of the Olympic Museum’s Digital Cultural Reserve”)
- HORIZON EU "REEVALUATE" 2024-2026 (“fRamework for safE, opEn, collaboratiVe And incLUsive digitisAtion and managemenT of cultural heritage”)

Offering meaningful programs and possessing human capital and infrastructure that demonstrate potential for lasting and measurable impact on youth, the museum seeks new strategic partnerships.