Olympic Athletes Prove They’re Just As Good At The Arts In Brand-New Exhibition

Visitors to a new exhibition unveiled at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, will get a glimpse into a different perspective of some of the world’s greatest athletes—seeing how they tap into their artistic side instead of sport.

This time, 18 artworks were created by five Olympians and one Paralympian, all of whom are part of the Olympian Artists program and have taken part in the competition’s famed Summer or Winter Games.

First on the list is Paralympic swimmer Gregory Burns (USA), who feels that “art and sport are as intertwined as the mind and body,” as both practices require “robust mental, physical, and spiritual training” before one is able to tap into the passion and “sense of awe and wonder.”

Alpine skier Laurenne Ross (CAN-USA) dabbles in photography, printmaking, and ceramics on the side as a facet for her to explore what seems to be “something bigger” than herself. Her work first debuted at Beijing 2022, where a short video captured her time there as an artist-in-residence.

The other artists, including the likes of footballer Hannah Wilkinson (NZL), Slaven Dizdarević (SVK), Roald Bradstock (GBR), and Kelly Salchow MacArthur (USA), contributed to the Olympic Agora at Tokyo 2020, which saw their pieces displayed at a public subway station in the city.

Many of them share the same views towards art. Wilkinson describes it as being a complementary endeavor that acts as a “retreat” to re-center oneself,  while MacArthur regards her interest in rowing and graphic design as a way for her to find her “equilibrium” in life.

Till now, 16 Olympians and Paralympians stemming from eight countries have showcased over 50 works through the program. Recently, in the build-up to Paris 2024, a three-month recruitment campaign was launched to garner participants.

82 Olympic and 11 Paralympic athletes hailing from 32 different nations have registered their interest and will be given a chance to work on any medium ranging from painting to drawing, music, sculpture, photography, and even film.

[via International Olympic Committee, images via International Olympic Committee]