A SPORTS STADIUM that once hosted an Olympic Games, several Six Nations matches and two Serie A giants has been left completely abandoned.
The Stadio Flaminio in Rome was once the home of Italy’s national rugby union team, but it has also been used for football.
Built on the site of the demolished Stadio Nazionale PNF – which hosted the 1934 World Cup final – it opened in 1959 ahead of the 1960 Olympic Games.
It became a hugely popular venue during the 1980s when some of the world’s biggest music artists performed there.
Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Pink Floyd and U2 took to the stage in the late 80s in front of 45,000 to 65,000 fans.
Following the music season, Lazio and Roma temporarily moved there while the Stadio Olimpico was being refurbished.
Lower league side Atletico Roma later called it home.
Between 2010 and 2011 the Stadio Flaminio hosted Italy’s Six Nations matches.
It was due to be redeveloped before the 2012 Six Nations with a 42,000 capacity planned.
However, the proposed renovations fell through and the Italian Rugby Federation moved to a new home.
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In the years that followed, Stadio Flaminio became neglected.
It is now in a state of disrepair with an overgrown pitch and crumbling stands.
However, there is hope that given the adequate funding it can become a fully-functioning, multi-purpose venue once again.
