{"id":4459,"date":"2025-04-30T14:35:53","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T14:35:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh-wordpress.ramapo.edu\/discovering1920s\/?p=4459"},"modified":"2025-05-07T19:09:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T19:09:17","slug":"the-first-winter-olympic-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh-wordpress.ramapo.edu\/discovering1920s\/blog\/2025\/04\/30\/the-first-winter-olympic-games\/","title":{"rendered":"The First Winter Olympics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 1894, Baron Pierre de Coubertin held the Olympic Organization Congress in Paris, France. This congress laid the foundation for the modern Olympic Games. Two years later, Athens would host the athletic competition; a tradition was born. Every four years, the world would gather together to celebrate global friendship and international cooperation through the lens of athletic competition.1<\/a><\/sup> However, the modern iteration of the Olympic Games was limited to summer sports. It would take nearly thirty years for winter sports to gain enough popularity and credibility to inspire the creation of their own dedicated international athletic competition under the Olympic banner.2<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Origin of Winter Sports Competition <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Winter sports have existed in some capacity for centuries across the Northern Hemisphere. Speed skating developed in the Netherlands in the thirteenth century, and there are records of cross-country skiing being used as a method of transportation in the ice- and snow-covered countries of Scandinavia for at least 6,000 years.3<\/a><\/sup> However, it was not until the nineteenth century that the more popular and recognizable winter sports developed. Figure skating, while having origins dating back to ancient times, came about in nineteenth-century England. The European Alps officially created alpine skiing around the same time. In the same century, the first ice hockey game was also recorded in Canada in 1875.4<\/a><\/sup> With the growing popularity of winter athletics, the predecessor to the Winter Olympics held its first competition. In 1901, the first Nordic Games occurred in Stockholm, Sweden. The winter sports competition was hosted by the Swedish Central Association for the Promotion of Sports. This athletic competition was not only a celebration of winter sports but also of Nordic culture. Instant global attention was brought to the region, especially Sweden, and to the fledgling world of winter sports. These games would occur in the years 1905, 1909, 1913, 1917, 1922, and 1926, always in the month of February and usually hosted in Sweden.5<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Olympic Future for Winter Sports <\/h5>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
An ice hockey match on the Nybroviken at the 1901 Nordic Games. Image from: https:\/\/hockeygods.com\/images\/14171-Nordic_Games_Hockey_Match_
on_the_Nybroviken__1901___Antique_Bandy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"\"
The Poster for the 1924 Winter Olympic Sports Week. Image from: Image from: Ioc, \u201cChamonix 1924 Winter Olympics – Athletes, Medals & Results.\u201d https:\/\/www.olympics.com\/en\/olympic-games\/chamonix-1924<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Even though there was not a dedicated winter sports competition under the Olympic name until 1924, two traditional winter sports made appearances at the Summer Games. At the 1908 London Games, figure skating made its Olympic debut. Both male and female athletes competed in the sport, with all three classes of medals\u2014gold, silver, and bronze\u2014being awarded to the top competitors. Following its London debut, figure skating took a twelve-year hiatus from Olympic competition, returning to the list of athletic events for the 1920 Games in Antwerp, Belgium. Once again, both male and female contestants participated in the sport, with all three classes of medals being awarded. Figure skating was not the only winter sport to make an appearance at the Antwerp Games. Ice hockey joined the sports roster for the first time, though the competition was limited to male athletes only. The top three teams from the competition were awarded medals.6<\/a><\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the success of ice hockey and figure skating at the Antwerp Games and taking inspiration from the Nordic Games, France\u2019s Marquis de Polignac came up with the idea for a winter sports competition under the Olympic banner. He presented his idea to the International Olympic Committee at their 1921 biannual meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland. However, there was immediate pushback from the Nordic countries. Norway even stated that they would not participate in a winter sports competition created by the IOC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the concern from Nordic countries, the International Olympic Committee ultimately decided to accept Polignac\u2019s proposal. Because France was hosting the next Olympic Games, the country would be allowed to hold a Winter Sports Week several months prior to the start of the Paris Games. The following year IOC, with the help of sports federations like the International Ski Congress, started to prepare for this new athletic competition.7<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Winter Sports Week of the VIII Olympiad<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Between January 25, 1924, and February 5, 1924, 260 athletes from 16 countries gathered in Chamonix, France, for the first Winter Sports Week. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Athletes at the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Sports Week on January 25, 1924. Image from: Ioc, \u201cChamonix 1924 Winter Olympics – Athletes, Medals & Results.\u201d  https:\/\/www.olympics.com\/en\/olympic-games\/chamonix-1924<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Week began on January 25, 1924, with the Opening Ceremony. The event was overseen by Gaston Vidal, the Secretary of State for Physical Education. Athletes from the 16 countries in attendance\u2014Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, and Yugoslavia\u2014paraded from the city hall to the skating venue.8<\/a><\/sup> Each national team had one representative proudly carrying its flag and another its emblem. Both also held the important task of saying the Olympic Oath for their country, which was said in French. For the United States, Clarence Abel carried the flag and Harry Duruy the emblem. As the teams walked through Chamonix, the band, the Twenty-seventh Alpine Blue Devils, played the national anthem of each country. Athletes from the Allied Countries received the most applause from the crowds. Upon reaching the rink, Vidal \u201cdeclared the official opening of the sports.9<\/a><\/sup>” Immediately following his declaration, 150 the athletes in attendance put on ice skates and started skating around the rink. In the spirit of friendly competition, some of the athletes held impromptu skating races, which excited the crowds. Approximately 4,000 to 5,000 spectators attended the opening ceremonies.10<\/a><\/sup> Overall the Opening Ceremony was considered a great success, exciting the world for the coming days of athletic competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

“We swear that we come to the Olympic Games as loyal competitors, respectful of the rules that govern them and willing to participate in them in a spirit of chivalry for the honor of our countries and the glory of sport,\u201d – Translated from French to English.11<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The Athletic Competition <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/span>
\n

Click to see video<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Athlete competing in speed skating event. Image from: Image from: Ioc, \u201cChamonix 1924 Winter Olympics – Athletes, Medals & Results.\u201d https:\/\/www.olympics.com\/en\/olympic-games\/chamonix-1924<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On January 26, 1924, the athletic competition began with speed skating. Over the course of two days, athletes competed in five different events\u2014the 500, 1,500, 5,000, and 10,000 meter races and the all-around. Some of the standout competitors from these events were Charles Jewtraw, Clas Thurnber, and Roald Larsen. Charles Jewtraw won the 500-meter race in 44 seconds.12<\/a><\/sup> He holds the title of being the first athlete to win an athletic event at the Winter Olympics, an honor that also belongs to the United States of America. Old Glory was the first flag flown in the gold medal position at the Winter Games. Clas Thunberg and Roald Larsen, both accomplished speed skaters, won medals in all five events. Thunberg won the most gold medals in the speed skating competition, returning home to Finland with three for his country.13<\/a><\/sup> <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most popular event of the Winter Olympic Sports Week began on January 28, 1924: the ice hockey tournament. It lasted a week, ending on February 3, 1924. This event was extremely popular in the United States and Canada. Newspapers in both countries closely followed the dominating gameplay of their respective teams and published titles like \u201cThe Canadian Olympic Team Won 22-0 Today14<\/a><\/sup>\u201d and \u201cAmerican Hockey Team Victorious.15<\/a><\/sup>\u201d Being leagues above the six other teams in the competition, some of the more dramatic game scores were the United States’ 19 to 0 win over Belgium and Canada’s 30 to 0 win over the Czechoslovakian team. After a week of dominating the competition, the United States and Canada met for the final on February 3, 1924. Despite the best efforts of the American team, Canada beat the United States 6 to 1. Both teams had extremely good plays, but the Canadian team was able to defend the American offensive, leading to their win.16<\/a><\/sup> Congratulations were sent to the team, with Premier Mackenzie King saying, \u201cPlease extend to members of the Canadian hockey team my heartiest congratulations\u2026 All Canada is proud of this latest feather in her cap.\u201d17<\/a><\/sup> The Canadian win allowed them to defend their Olympic title in ice hockey from the 1920 Antwerp Games. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
The mens curling tournament at the Winter Sports Week. Image from: Image from: Ioc, \u201cChamonix 1924 Winter Olympics – Athletes, Medals & Results.\u201d https:\/\/www.olympics.com\/en\/olympic-games\/chamonix-1924<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

While ice hockey dominated headlines for much of the Winter Sports Week, there were several other athletic competitions underway. One of these was curling, which remained a largely unknown sport until its appearance at the Games. When a Scottish member of the British curling team was on his way to Chamonix from Switzerland for the competition, he was stopped at the border by French authorities.18<\/a><\/sup> The French border agents humorously thought the curling stone was some type of precious material. The Scotsman almost received a fine for his sports equipment, but he was eventually allowed to bring the stone into France for free.19<\/a><\/sup> Following the British win over France in the curling final on January 30, 1924, the same Scotsman said, \u201cTis a precious stone. Indeed, there\u2019s not so precious to me.\u201d20<\/a><\/sup> Britain beat the French team 46 to 6, placing first in the curling competition, followed in second by Sweden, and finally in third by the French team.21<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Danger and Dominance in the Competition <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Unlike ice hockey and curling, which were followed by exciting headlines and humorous tales in newspapers, bobsledding proved to be infamous for other reasons. The bobsled chute at Chamonix quickly proved to be extremely dangerous, seriously injuring several athletes over the course of the competition. On January 30, 1924, two members of the French bobsled team were injured during a training accident. The captain of the team, Count de la Fregoliere, suffered a broken arm, while another member of his team suffered a skull fracture.22<\/a><\/sup> The following day, the skipper of the British bobsled team seriously broke both of his legs when his bobsled overturned. Thankfully the four other members of his team were unscathed. The chute was closed for a time but reopened to allow the continuation of the competition.23<\/a><\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Athletes posing with their bobsled at the Chamonix Games. Image from: Image from: Ioc, \u201cChamonix 1924 Winter Olympics – Athletes, Medals & Results.\u201d https:\/\/www.olympics.com\/en\/olympic-games\/chamonix-1924.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Indianapolis Star said, \u201cThe bobsleigh chute has been voted the most difficult in the world to negotiate safely.\u201d24<\/a><\/sup> Similar issues occurred with the sky jump. Work crews had to remove sharp, unsafe corners from it before the skiing competition could occur, which still did not prevent an American skier, Ragnar Omtvedt, from receiving serious injuries that left him bedridden for ten to fifteen days.25<\/a><\/sup> Ultimately, both dangerous pieces of equipment were used in competition. In the bobsled competition, Switzerland took first, Britain took second, and Belgium took third. In the ski jumping competition, two Norwegian athletes, Jacob Tullin Thams and Narve Bonna, took first and second. American athlete Anders Haugen took third.26<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The remaining athletic events had little coverage in the news, other than to state Norway’s impeccable dominance. Norway took home both first places in the cross-country skiing competitions at the distances of 18 kilometers and 50 kilometers and all three medals in the Nordic combined, which was a combination of both ski events: cross-country and jumping.27<\/a><\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women at the Winter Olympics <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Of the 260 athletes to compete at the First Winter Sports Week, only 13 of them were women. The 13 female athletes were only allowed to compete in figure skating, which was called \u201cfancy ice skating28<\/a><\/sup>\u201d by the newspapers. Figure skating had three divisions of competition. Two individual sections, one for the men and one for the women, and a partnered section where a male and female athlete would skate together. In the individual women\u2019s competition, Austrian skater Herma Plank-Szabo blew the competition away. Beatrix Loughran from the United States took second, and Ethel Muckelt of Great Britain took third.29<\/a><\/sup> In partner skating, the team from Austria took first, Finland second, and France third. Even though several were outnumbered and neglected by the press, the 13 women who competed in these Games laid the foundation for all future female athletes at the Winter Olympics.30<\/a><\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closing Ceremonies <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

 On February 5, 1924, the Olympic Winter Sports Week came to an end. The medals were distributed to the winners at the Closing Ceremony by the IOC president, Baron Pierre de Coubertin. First place received gold, second silver, and third bronze. Norway ranked first among the participating countries, and Finland was a close second. Surprisingly, most of the athletes had left Chamonix by the time the closing ceremonies happened. People from their respective nations were chosen to receive the medals, standing in place of the absentee athletes. Overall, the winter sports week was considered a great success.31<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Winter Olympics <\/h5>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
A female athlete competing in figure skating at the 1924 Winter Sports week. Image from: Ioc, \u201cChamonix 1924 Winter Olympics – Athletes, Medals & Results. https:\/\/www.olympics.com\/en\/olympic-games\/chamonix-1924.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On May 6, 1926, at an IOC meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, a vote was taken, and 23 or 24 members of the International Olympic Committee chose to rename the Chamonix Winter Sports Week into the First Winter Olympic Games. Unfortunately, the growing success of the Winter Olympics meant the death of their predecessor, the Nordic Games, with its last competition being held in 1926.32<\/a><\/sup> In 1928, the Second Winter Olympics would occur in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Like their predecessor, the Games proved successful and marked the first time Germany was allowed to compete in an Olympic competition since the end of World War I.33<\/a><\/sup> Unfortunately, female athletes would have to wait over a decade until the introduction of Alpine skiing at the 1936 Winter Olympics to finally be allowed to compete in more than just figure skating.34<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2024 marked 100 years since the creation of the Winter Olympics, and the upcoming 2026 Games in Milano Cortina will mark the twentieth Winter Olympiad.35<\/a><\/sup> Much has changed since the Games originated, but the desire for global athletic competition and celebration of winter sports remains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n