5 Extraordinary Homes for Olympic Sports Fans–and Fantasy Olympians

The Olympic theme, distinctive with the opening pound of kettle drums followed by the rousing blare of trumpets and crash of cymbals, are quite simply the most inspiring bars of sports music ever created. It will, of course, be a mainstay of the Tokyo Games telecasts beginning this weekend and running through August 8. An estimated audience of 100 million will be tuning in from their living rooms to watch…and listening.

Fun fact about that music. Grammy-winning composer John Williams–also known for the theme music of Star Wars, Jurassic Park and Harry Potter–wrote the fanfare for the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. This replaced the work of Leo Arnaud, that tympanic wonder comprising the first 45 seconds of the current theme, composed in 1958 and appearing on the Olympic scene in 1968. For the Atlanta Games in 1996, network executives fused the old and new and voila. A masterpiece to stir the soul of every athlete, despite their talents or fitness levels.

Luxury Defined presents five estates with Olympian amenities. After watching the Games, with the Olympic Theme playing in your head, have your own gold medal moment without even leaving home.

De Negen Linden, Near Amsterdam, Netherlands

Attention, ardent equestrians. In addition to its eye-popping architectural grandeur and 30-acre estate where forest, meadows, ponds, and parkland await, “De Negen Linden” boasts five horse stables with 25 boxes, two wash stalls and a solarium, a paddock with a treadmill, and two competition-ready riding arenas. After days spent atop a horse, ease aching muscles in the indoor pool, steam room, and sauna, or get competitive in the billiards room. This eight-bedroom modern mansion is fitted with Italian marble, natural stone, oak, and parquet floors, and features a tennis court and wine cellar.

Chelston on Grape Bay Beach in Paget Parish, Bermuda

This magnificent estate is unrivaled in Bermuda and can be counted amongst the finest homes in the world. Chelston was originally designed and built between 1939 and 1941 for C. P. Dubbs, inventor of the Dubbs Process, a crude oil thermal “cracking” technology. From 1964 to 1999, Chelston served as the official Bermuda residence of the U.S. Consul General. In 1999, the current owners purchased the property and embarked on an extensive three-year renovation project detailing every aspect of the estate with a team of international architects and artisans. The result is a private family beachfront compound of the highest order. The stately, 10,000-square-foot main house, some 200 feet above Grape Bay Beach, commands vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, the city of Hamilton, and the estate’s gardens and sweeping lawns. The gated compound also includes three, three-bedroom guest cottages; a two-bedroom staff cottage; a cinema; gym, pool house, and beach pavilion. A 75- by 40-foot zero-edge pool, a croquet lawn, acres of rolling lawns for myriad sporting pursuits, and the pink sands of Grape Bay Beach are among the many amenities.

The Equestrian Estate in Deauville, France

Located near the beautiful seaside commune of Deauville in the Normandy region of France, this impressive complex encompassing nearly 50 acres is dedicated to equestrian sports at the international level. The superb estate’s exceptional facilities include indoor and outdoor show-jumping arenas, a Grand Prix dressage arena, training tracks, numerous paddocks, more than 40 box stalls, tack rooms, a covered horse walker, a breeding center, and a quarantine area. The living spaces are equally appealing, with more than 15,000 square feet arranged across a manor house, converted outbuildings, and an expansive loft. Completely renovated and beautifully appointed throughout, the accommodations have been elegantly modernized, combining the traditional Normandy style with luxurious contemporary elements. This allows for an array of options for owners, guests, grooms, and staff. A sophisticated clubhouse, offices, outbuildings, several garages, and a spring garden are further highlights.

A Plethora of Sports on 16 Treed Acres in Fairfield, Connecticut

Ultimately secluded and private, this lovely estate offers a lighted tennis court, golf green with sand traps for chipping practice, basketball court to channel the USA’s Dream Team (you shoot, you score!), and plenty of room to build new fantasy Olympic moments. Plus a media room to watch and enjoy the actual Olympic moments on a large screen TV. This space is large enough to also accommodate both a ping pong table (an Olympic sport since 1988) and a pool table (petitioning to be part of the Paris Games in 2024.) The contemporary manse of 10,138 square feet on three levels, has six bedrooms, six and one-half baths, and is situated on 16 acres with a high vantage of Candlewood Lake and Squantz Pond. The kitchen is a chef’s delight with twin Subzero refrigerators, a six-burner Wolf range, and a grand island with stone counters and bar seating. There is also a climate control wine cellar. The indoor entertaining space is sublime, as is the alfresco spaces with multiple stone patios, a pool and outdoor kitchen. The gym is state-of-the-art and there is a sauna on the property to pamper those gloriously overworked muscles.

Resort-Style Escape in Sandy Springs, Georgia

This elegant home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, sits on nearly an acre of private grounds with a sports court, saltwater swimming pool, and a pool house with a recreation area and bar. The indoor spaces are equally suited to entertaining with a chef’s kitchen with stainless steel appliances, dual ovens, custom cabinets, and a breakfast bar. The heart of the home is a two-story great room with custom fireplace. Farther along is a wood-paneled formal dining room and a bright open sunroom with floor to ceiling windows, a fireplace, and ceiling fan. There are six bedrooms, including the main level primary suite with a fireplace and spa-style bathroom. Upstairs are four bedrooms and two luxurious bathrooms. The lower level is dedicated to a movie theater and recreation area and includes a full bathroom and guest bedroom.