Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum

About

The Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum (Estonian: Eesti Spordi- ja Olümpiamuuseum), founded in 1963 and modernized in 2020, is the largest sports museum in the Baltic states. The museum is located on Rüütli street in Tartu, Estonia. Before 2016, Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum was named Estonian Sports Museum.

The idea to establish a sports museum in Estonia was born at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1913, the opening of the museum was discussed by the members of the Kalev society operating in Tallinn. It was an innovative idea for that time, because independent sports museums were still almost unknown in the world. In the 1920s, the plan to create a museum was included in the statutory activities of the Estonian Sports Central Union. Collecting sports historical materials for the Central Union became the heart of former professional wrestler Tõnu Võimula.

After the Second World War, Tõnu Võimula bequeathed both the idea and the materials he collected to Johannes Laidvere, who taught sports history at Tartu State University at the time. As a result of the joint efforts of several enthusiasts, in 1962 a committee for the establishment of a sports museum was formed, headed by the head of the physical education department of the Estonian Academy of Agriculture, Aksel Tiik.

The committee acted effectively, and already on January 28, 1963, the Presidium of the Council of the Union of Sports Associations and Organizations of the Estonian SSR approved the statutes and personnel of the museum. That is why January 28 is considered the birthday of the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum. Aksel Tiik became the director of the museum, which operated on a social basis.

Step by step, it became clear to the people of the public museum that their enthusiasm was not enough to ensure the development of the museum, and so the direction was taken to create a national museum. On July 1, 1967, the Estonian SSR National Sports Museum was finally established by the decree of the Council of Ministers of the Estonian SSR under the Ministry of Culture of the Estonian SSR, whose first director was sports historian Olaf Langsepp, who contributed to the birth of the sports museum.

After the re-independence of the Republic of Estonia

In the second half of the 1990s, the sports museum's collections expanded rapidly, which is why the previous home in the wing building of Tartu St. Paul's Church began to seem small. In the search for a new location, the choice fell on the building of the former Tartu post office located on Rüütli Street, which, however, needed major renovation. A year and a half was spent on archaeological excavations and supporting the foundation, then the old walls of the building also received new content. The house received reinforced concrete false ceilings and a mansard floor, and medieval masonry remains were excavated in the basement and preserved. The total area of the building increased to 2,200 square meters. Construction work was completed by the summer of 2001. By August 1 of the same year, the entire museum had moved to a new location. On October 1, 2001, the building was also opened to visitors.

On April 9, 2001, Enn Mainla, who had been in the position for 30 years, left the position of museum director. Former Tartu sports manager Mati Tolmoff became the new director.

In November 2015, the Ministry of Culture proposed to the Estonian Olympic Committee the creation of the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum Foundation instead of the Estonian Sports Museum. The initial agreement for the Foundation was signed on April 14, 2016 by the then Minister of Culture Indrek Saar and the President of the Estonian Olympic Committee Neinar Seli. Since 2016, Siim Randoja has been the director of the foundation.

The museum is close to the river Emajõgi, the main building of Tartu University and the botanical gardens. On the opposite side of the street is a notable secondary school ( Hugo Treffner Gymnasium ).

After the Second World War, Tõnu Võimula bequeathed both the idea and the materials he collected to Johannes Laidvere, who taught sports history at Tartu State University at the time. As a result of the joint efforts of several enthusiasts, in 1962 a committee for the establishment of a sports museum was formed, headed by the head of the physical education department of the Estonian Academy of Agriculture, Aksel Tiik.

The committee acted effectively, and already on January 28, 1963, the Presidium of the Council of the Union of Sports Associations and Organizations of the Estonian SSR approved the statutes and personnel of the museum. That is why January 28 is considered the birthday of the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum. Aksel Tiik became the director of the museum, which operated on a social basis.

Step by step, it became clear to the people of the public museum that their enthusiasm was not enough to ensure the development of the museum, and so the direction was taken to create a national museum. On July 1, 1967, the Estonian SSR National Sports Museum was finally established by the decree of the Council of Ministers of the Estonian SSR under the Ministry of Culture of the Estonian SSR, whose first director was sports historian Olaf Langsepp, who contributed to the birth of the sports museum.

In the second half of the 1990s, the sports museum's collections expanded rapidly, which is why the previous home in the wing building of Tartu St. Paul's Church began to seem small. In the search for a new location, the choice fell on the building of the former Tartu post office located on Rüütli Street, which, however, needed major renovation. A year and a half was spent on archaeological excavations and supporting the foundation, then the old walls of the building also received new content. The house received reinforced concrete false ceilings and a mansard floor, and medieval masonry remains were excavated in the basement and preserved. The total area of the building increased to 2,200 square meters. Construction work was completed by the summer of 2001. By August 1 of the same year, the entire museum had moved to a new location. On October 1, 2001, the building was also opened to visitors.

On April 9, 2001, Enn Mainla, who had been in the position for 30 years, left the position of museum director. Former Tartu sports manager Mati Tolmoff became the new director.

In November 2015, the Ministry of Culture proposed to the Estonian Olympic Committee the creation of the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum Foundation instead of the Estonian Sports Museum. The initial agreement for the Foundation was signed on April 14, 2016 by the then Minister of Culture Indrek Saar and the President of the Estonian Olympic Committee Neinar Seli. Since 2016, Siim Randoja has been the director of the foundation.

The museum is close to the river Emajõgi, the main building of Tartu University and the botanical gardens. On the opposite side of the street is a notable secondary school ( Hugo Treffner Gymnasium ).

Permanent exhibition "The Story of Estonian Sport"

Sports museum was re-opened in October 2020 with a brand new permanent exhibition "The Story of Estonian Sport", Estonian Sports Hall of Fame and various hands-on activities like rally simulator, reaction wall, retro room, interactive basketball court, historical gym and many other fun attractions. The museum consists of exhibition rooms on three floors, historic cellar and specialized library. The museum contains collections of historic awards, cups and sports equipment. With the renovation Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum opened also new permanent exhibition „The Story of Estonian Sport“ takes you on a trip across the history of sports in Estonia. It tells you a story of a speck of land and colossal wins. It tells a story of the glitter of gold medals but also of the dark shadows of foul play.

The most spectacular part of the new exhibition is the totally new Estonian Sports Hall of Fame. Here the visitors can see some never-before publicly seen footage of 50 of the greatest Estonian athletes and sports personalities of the last century. Each of the Hall of Famer's gets a special recognition in this room with an honorary plate, highlight reel of their career and an overview of their greatest achievements. Estonian Sports Hall of Fame was created in 2020 with the first 50 members being chosen from personas whose career ended before 2000. Starting from 2021 new members will be added yearly.