Baghdad Gymnasium, Baghdad

Baghdad Gymnasium, formerly Saddam Hussein Gymnasium, is a sports complex in Baghdad, Iraq adjacent to the Al-Shaab Stadium. Designed by Le Corbusier under the commission of King Faisal II in 1956 for potential use in the 1960 Summer Olympics. After Faisal II was overthrown in a military coup in 1958 the project went through several changes of design and location. The architect died in 1965, leaving a wealth of drawings and studies for the multi functions of Baghdad's Sports Complex that included a large stadium, tennis courts, swimming pools and a gymnasium. Only the later was finally built between 1978 and 1980, to be inaugurated by and named after Iraq's president Saddam Hussein. The American army troops occupied the Gymnasium as well as the Shaab district for some years following the Fall of Baghdad in 2003. ()