November 18, 2024

Transformative Coliseum: Multitude of sports, war shows, concerts, racing … all fit in

Sports

Transformative Coliseum: Multitude of sports, war shows, concerts, racing … all fit in

By: Wilson Gao

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is one of the few stadiums built to host almost any event, from football to NASCAR races.

The stadium had its first planned show in 1936 with figure skating star Sonja Henie. Workers and engineers used ice-making machines to make “snow” and keep the ground cool. However, a few days before the show, the ice machines failed miserably against the June temperature. However, the engineers weren’t ready to give up yet.

In 1938, another event had to be delayed because of weather patterns. Engineers decided to use snow-making machines to cool and fill a 300-foot ski jump running through the center of the stadium. Things were going normally until the winds came in.

However, this time, the snow machines kept running and the weather started to get better two days later. However, the tracks were dangerously slippery. However, the two famed Ruud brothers from Norway placed first and second.

In the late 1950s, the LA Dodgers made the stadium their temporary field. However, they only had a small 250-foot playing surface, compared to their normal 400 feet.

If technology improves at its current rate, the stadium might be able to host esports competitions in the future. Keep your fingers crossed!

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