The Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium, a leftover from the cold war era with a history no less intriguing

In a few weeks the $1.1 billion Morodok Techo National Stadium (Khmer: កីឡដ្ឋានជាតិមរតកតេជោ) will play host to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Under 23’s football tournament. But before this benevolent gift from China came along? There was another, the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium. 

Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium

The Phnom Peng Olympic stadium, or to give it is more formal title, The National Olympic Stadium (Khmer: ពហុកីឡាដ្ឋានជាតិអូឡាំពិក), is a multi-purpose stadium with a capacity of 70,000.

The one quirk about this stadium though is that despite its name, Cambodia has never hosted an Olympic games, although it has hosted major events and even an “alternate” Olympic Games.

Construction on the National Sports Complex started in 1963 and was completed in 1964. Originally it had been planned to host the 1963 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games, which was cancelled for political reasons. At that stage Cambodia, still a decade away from Khmer Rouge rule, perhaps was dreaming of hosting an actual Olympics, but things were about to take a turn for the weird and ultimately, the tragic. 

The 1960’s were a time of Cold War strife, battles for independence and an increasingly left-leaning East Asia. The Games of the New Emerging Forces (GANEFO) were set up by Indonesia as a counter to the Olympic Games. Officially it was for “emerging”, newly independent states, but in actuality it was dominated by states that bent left (as Indonesia did at the time).

Cambodia despite being a Kingdom enjoyed extremely good relations with both China, North Korea and officially at least followed a Buddhist Socialist program under King Sihanouk. As such? It was also considered part of the club.

GANEFO and the Olympics of the left

The 1963 games in Jakarta were overall quite a success, despite the interference of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Athletes from the Peoples Republic of China, as of yet unrecognised by the UN, dominated the winners podium. Cambodia failed to medal at the games. 

GANEFO and the Olympics of the left

Originally slated to take place in the United Arab Republic, the games had to be moved for political reasons and were awarded instead to Phnom Penh. Due to IOC pressure the games would only play host to 2000 athletes from 17 nations. Despite that, Cambodia hosted a magnificient event.

Alas it would be the last GANEFO to take place. The next edition was moved from Beijing to Pyongyang as the result of the cultural revolution but would later be cancelled full stop for unspecified reasons. 

To read an in-depth analysis on GANEFO click here. 

This would nor not be the only time the National Olympic Stadium was to shine though.

The Phnom Penh Olympic stadium and North Korea qualifying for the 1966 World Cup

After various political wrangling, boycotts and other very unsporting disputes, the final regional slot for the 1966 World Cup in England had boiled down to Australia vs North Korea.

Australia had refused to host the North Koreans and weren’t keen on sending their side there either so up stepped King Sihanouk to offer Phnom Penh as host. 

To read about the friendship between King Sihanouk and Kim Il-Sung click here

The games took place with North Korea spanking Australia over two games. Sihanouk had ordered half the fans to cheer for Australia and the other half to root for North Korea. But it was the style and play of the latter that caught the attention of the fans. 

North Korea would famously go on to knock-out Italy before going 3-0 up against Portugal, before a certain Eusebio led one of the greatest comebacks in football history. One that resulted in a final score of 5-3 for Portugal.

To read about how Cambodia helped North Korea qualify in 1966 click here. 

The Modern Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium

Thankfully the stadium would survive the Khmer Rouge years, although tragically it was used as an execution site for former members of the Lon Nol Khmer Republic. Over the years the stadium has not only survived though but also been used for international matches and cup finals. It would have a bit of an overhaul in 2017.

During Covid the stadium was used as both a testing facility and makeshift overspill hospital. The 2021 Hun Sen cup final was held at the RSN Smart Arena and much like the Old Army Stadium, it now looks slightly outdated.

The 2023 Southeast Asian Games will not be held at the Olympic Stadium but at the brand new Morodok Techo National Sports Complex. And while Cambodia obviously welcomes having such a new and world class stadium, it will never forget the history of the Olympic Stadium that never held an Olympics. 

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