50th Anniversary of the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games
Official Events and Media Opportunities
MONTRÉAL (June 30, 2026) – As part of the 50th anniversary of the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games, several official events and commemorative moments will be offered to the public and media over the coming weeks.
To help with your planning, we invite you to take note of the key upcoming moments and possible coverage opportunities.
These events will highlight the legacy of the 1976 Games, the iconic venues that continue to thrive today, as well as the athletes and Olympic figures associated with this defining moment in Montreal’s sports history.
The schedule below is provided for information purposes only and remains subject to change. Media interested in an activity, interview or coverage opportunity are invited to contact the media representatives of the relevant organizations directly.
SCHEDULE
50th Anniversary Boutique Opening
Just in time for its 50th anniversary, the Olympic Park is opening its official boutique entirely dedicated to this landmark year in its history, featuring a selection of official products, exclusive and commemorative creations tied to this landmark anniversary of the 1976 Olympic facilities.
When:
Starting June 22, 2026
Where:
Olympic Stadium
Spokesperson:
François Dumontier
Vice President, Strategy and Commercial Operations
Olympic Park
Media contact: media@parcolympique.ca
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The First Fridays
Under the watchful eye of the Big O, the Édition Montréal OlympiqueTM evokes the spirit of ‘76: period-inspired staging, archival visuals and cultural programming for a deeply meaningful weekend. Immersive décor inspired by 1976 archives; international flavours echoing the 92 nations; themed cultural and artistic programming; surprise entertainment to discover on site.
When:
Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4, 2026
Where:
Olympic Park Esplanade
Spokesperson:
François Dumontier
Vice President, Strategy and Commercial Operations
Olympic Park
Media contact: media@parcolympique.ca
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Open House at the Olympic Basin
Created specifically as part of the 50th anniversary of the Games, with the support of the Government of Quebec, this open house will give the public a chance to discover a venue usually reserved for sports clubs, try out various training equipment and take different watercraft out on the Olympic Basin.
Hosted by Meeker Guerrier and presented by Intact Insurance, meet-and-greet opportunities with Olympic athletes will be held throughout the day, including Émilie Fournel, Guylaine Bernier and Lyne Tremblay. Musical performances, food and refreshments, games and activities for all ages will also be on the program.
Qualité Motel will perform from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., offering a free performance open to all.
When:
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Where:
Olympic Basin, Parc Jean-Drapeau
Spokespeople:
Véronique Doucet, Executive Director, Parc Jean-Drapeau
Qualité Motel
Media contacts:
Delphine Bourdet for Véronique Doucet
Parc Jean-Drapeau
C: 514 247-5234
E:dbourdet@parcjeandrapeau.com
Kevin Lalancette for Qualité Motel
Roy-Turner
C: 438 863-9225
E: klalancette@roy-turner.com
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Media opportunities – Tricia Smith & Thomas Bach
When:
Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1, 2026
Who:
Tricia Smith, Four-time Olympian and Olympic silver medallist in rowing, Canadian Olympic Committee President
Thomas Bach, Olympic champion and International Olympic Committee Honorary President
Ms. Tricia Smith, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee, four-time Olympian in the sport of rowing at the Montreal 1976 Games and IOC member since 2016, will take part in the celebrations in all three capacities. She will help draw connections between the experience of the athletes of 1976, the evolution of the Canadian Olympic Movement and the future of sport in Canada.
Ms. Smith will participate in certain activities at the Olympic Basin at Parc Jean-Drapeau, organized as part of Montréal Aviron 1976–2026, which mark both the 50th anniversary of the Games and of the first time women competed in Olympic rowing.
She will visit the Institut National du Sport (INS) with Mr. Thomas Bach on Friday, July 31 in the afternoon, as well as the exhibition Montreal 1976: An Olympic Feat at the McCord Stewart Museum on Saturday, August 1 at noon, alongside Canadian Olympic medallists, and at the activities planned at the Olympic Park before the concert.
Mr. Thomas Bach, IOC President from 2013 to 2025 and now Honorary President, will return to Montreal as a guest of the celebrations, 50 years after winning Olympic gold in fencing at the 1976 Games, in the men’s team foil event.
Mr. Bach will attend an activity at the INS centred on fencing and Olympic legacy on Friday, July 31 in the afternoon, alongside Ms. Smith. He will also take part in the activities planned at the Olympic Park before the August 1 concert.
Members of the media wishing to request an interview with Ms. Smith or Mr. Bach are invited to submit their request to Vanessa Lee. Opportunities will be assessed based on availability.
Media contact:
Vanessa Lee
Director, Communications and Media Relations, Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 514-216-1417
E: vlee@olympic.ca
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Media opportunities – Nadia Comăneci
Who:
Nadia Comăneci, Five-time Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics
Five-time Olympic champion Nadia Comăneci, an iconic figure of the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games, will be visiting Montreal. She will be accompanied by her husband, Bart Conner. Conner is a two-time Olympic champion who represented Team USA at two Olympic Games, including Montreal 1976.
When:
- Friday, July 31
1:00 p.m. – Honorary Doctorate Presentation at the Université de Montréal
This presentation to Ms. Comăneci will take place at the CEPSUM during the closing activity of the day camps, which welcome children aged 6 to 15 under the theme of the Olympic Games. In the presence of dignitaries and children.
2:30 p.m. – Unveiling of a Commemorative Plaque at the Claude-Robillard Centre
Activity organized by the City of Montreal and the Embassy of Romania in Canada.
- Saturday, August 1
12:00 p.m.
Visit to the Exhibition Montreal 1976: An Olympic Feat at the McCord Stewart Museum
Accompanied by Tricia Smith, Thomas Bach and Canadian Olympic medallists*, a guided tour led by Christian Vachon, exhibition curator and Curator of the Documentary Art at the McCord Stewart Museum, in the presence of Anne Eschapasse, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Museum. (*Athletes’ names to be confirmed shortly.)
6:15 p.m.
Meet-and-Greet with Participants Named Nadia
Olympic Park activation, on the Esplanade.
7:30 p.m.
Photo Opportunities at Place Nadia-Comăneci at the Olympic Park
Accompanied by Ms. Smith and Mr. Bach.
Around 9:00 p.m.
Participation in the concert on the Olympic Park Esplanade
With the expected presence of Ms. Smith and Mr. Bach.
A limited number of short one-on-one interview opportunities may be available, subject to schedule availability.
Ms. Comăneci will also take part in several official events to which media will be invited. The schedule above is provided for information purposes only and remains subject to change.
Media contact:
Marie-Anik L’Allier
C: 514-983-8236
E: ma@malallier.com
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Olympic Park Concert
As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, Olympic Park will present a major musical event paying tribute to the people who helped shape the Montreal Olympic Games.
When:
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Where:
Olympic Park Esplanade
Spokesperson:
François Dumontier
Vice President, Strategy and Commercial Operations
Olympic Park
Media contact:
media@parcolympique.ca
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OSM Concert
Relive the most memorable moments at the Olympic Stadium during the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal’s grand free concert, conducted by Rafael Payare. Through a festive and unifying program, rediscover the iconic works that have resonated throughout the Stadium over the past 50 years.
Projections and special moments will mark this evening under the stars, featuring the OSM Choir, actress Sophie Cadieux and a special appearance by the iconic Diane Dufresne.
When:
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Where:
Olympic Park Esplanade
Spokesperson:
François Dumontier
Vice President, Strategy and Commercial Operations
Olympic Park
Media contact:
media@parcolympique.ca
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To view the programming, follow upcoming events and access updated information, media and the public are invited to visit the official celebrations hub: montrealolympique.ca
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Tricia Smith & Thomas Bach:
Vanessa Lee
Director, Communications and Media Relations, Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 514-216-1417
E: vlee@olympic.ca
Nadia Comăneci:
Marie-Anik L’Allier
C: 514-983-8236
E: ma@malallier.com
Olympic Park:
media@parcolympique.ca
Delphine Bourdet for Véronique Doucet
Parc Jean-Drapeau
C: 514 247-5234
E:dbourdet@parcjeandrapeau.com
City of Montreal:
Public Affairs and Protocol Division
E: relationsmedias@montreal.ca