The Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well as Large Group Performances will take place in the Pontaise Olympic Stadium, which is situated just above (about 8 minutes on foot) the Beaulieu Lausanne complex, which is the centre for the event.

Thanks to some changes, during the Gymnaestrada, the stadium will be able to accommodate 30,000 people, compared with its present capacity of 15,850 places.

The stadium which is surrounded by no less than 9 sports fields, offers optimum conditions to gymnasts in preparation for the Opening Ceremony parade and for the Large Group Performances.
In order to make the time waiting at the entrance to the stadium more convivial and amusing, numerous stands and drinks stalls, as well as an adapted sanitary block, will be installed. 

The proximity of the Beaulieu Lausanne complex will allow participants in Large Group Performances to go there for their lunch and, for many spectators, to benefit from this great mobility and attend both the indoor and outdoor demonstrations.

The Pontaise is host to one of the most prestigious athletics meets of the IAAF Samsung Diamond League every year in early July. In 2001 and as a direct result of a fantastic spirit of flexibility on the part of organisers, Athletissima will be held exceptionally on 30 June 2011 to avoid interfering with preparations for the World Gymnaestrada.

The Pontaise is also a legendary venue coined Rock ’n’ Roll for having organised the historic Rolling Stones concert of August 2007 with 42,600 fans!

In a nutshell, the Pontaise is … Sprint, Gym and Rock ‘n’ Roll!