1977 - 2025

50th edition

50 Editions of History

Since 1977, Athletissima has left its mark on generations, transforming a simple local meet into a must-attend event on the global athletics stage. Fifty editions later, the emotion, records, and legends continue to thrill audiences with the same intensity.

To mark this jubilee, an immersive exhibition at the Forum de l’Hôtel de Ville in Lausanne will revisit the highlights of this epic journey, showcasing rare archives, iconic objects, and powerful testimonials.

At the same time, the documentary Odyssey will take you behind the scenes of this extraordinary human and sporting adventure, revealing the choices, challenges, and dreams that have shaped half a century of passion.

They support the 50th

Festivities

Athletissima 1977

Since 1977, Athletissima has welcomed the world's greatest athletics stars, and is nowadays the most important international sporting event in French-speaking Switzerland.

Athletissima 1994, Leroy Burrell

Dive into the Heart of Athletissima’s History with Odyssey: From its humble beginnings in 1977 in Lausanne to its rise as a global athletics benchmark, Odyssey takes you on a powerful journey through archival footage, compelling testimonies, and immersive storytelling.

Athletissima 1993, Werner Günthör

From August 13 to September 6, the Forum de l'Hôtel de Ville in Lausanne will host a unique exhibition marking the 50th edition of Athletissima. Discover the key moments of the meeting through photos, videos, and testimonials, tracing its evolution from 1977 to today.