Among Phnom Penh's largest and most significant architectural treasures
is the National Sports Complex, more commonly referred to as the
Olympic Stadium. Built in the early 1960s, the complex includes the
large outdoor stadium, an indoor arena typically used for volleyball,
and Olympic sized pools for swimming and diving.
The Khmer Rouge used the stadium for the public executions of the
government officials of the Lon Nol regime, which they overthrew. After
the fall of the Khmer Rouge the stadium fell into severe disrepair. In
2000 the complex was effectively sold off to a Taiwanese company that
refurbished the stadium and developed the land around the periphery.
The stadium is back in use and has proved popular with local residents.
Unfortunately, to accomplish the development of the surrounds the new
company filled in many of the essential drainage systems, putting the
stadium under renewed threat.
The stadium seems to be generally accessible when it's not being used
for some function. There's a market around the north side of the area
that makes for an interesting walk. It's starts off with a seemingly
endless row of motorcycle shops but then transitions into a fresh
produce market, with some clothing towards the end.
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