In 1924, the French Olympic seized on the popularity of the cold-weather sports and hosted the first Winter Sports Week in Chamonix. Because of the popularity of the week, the International Olympic Committee retrospectively named that Winter Sports Week the first Winter Olympic Games in 1925.
Origins of the Winter Olympic Games
An idea introduced in 1911 by Italian Eugene Brunetta d’Usseaux, the winter Olympic Games were initially opposed by Scandinavian countries, which did not desire competition for the Nordic Games.
By 1922, the French Organizing Committee decided to host the International Sports Week on its own, without the support of the IOC. The event, which last 10 days, began on Feb. 25, 1924.
A new ice stadium was built to host the 258 athletes from 16 national organizing committees. The ice arena included two hockey rinks and a 400m ice track. Five sports were included in the multi-sport event: Bobsled, ice hockey, figure skating, speed skating and Nordic.
Athletes and Winners of the 1924 Winter Olympic Games
Despite superior preparation, poor weather conditions challenged both athletes and organizers. Winter thaws made conditions slushy and more difficult than normal.
And even though poor weather conditions made an impact, several athletes of course left the games with more gold than when they arrived, including Finnish speedskater Clas Thunberg, nicknamed “Nurmi on Ice.” Thunberg earned three gold medals, one silver and one bronze during his stay in Chamonix.
Canada dominated the ice hockey tournament, scoring 122 goals and allowing only three goals into the net. Canada would go on to win the ice hockey tournament at the 1928 and 1932 Olympic Games, as well, placing second for the first time in 1936.
American speedskater Charles Jewtraw was the first ever winter Olympic gold medal winner, earning first place in the 500m event. He won the only gold medal earned by the United States during the 1924 winter Olympic Games.
In fact, not surprisingly, the Scandinavian countries dominated the 1924 Chamonix Games. Norway earned the most medals, with four gold, seven silver and six bronze. Finland finished second in the medal count, taking home four gold, one silver and one bronze.
In the end, France’s International Winter Sports Week was a success, selling 10,004 tickets to spectators. The IOC declared the event the first winter Olympic Games in 1925 and scheduled a repeat Games in 1928, to be held in St. Moritz.
Sources:
- Chamonix, 1924. The Official Website of the Olympic Movement. Olympic.org.
- The Olympic Games: Athens 1896-Athens 2004. Dorling Kindersley Limited, London, 2004.
Kristen Nichols - Kristen is a freelance reporter and copywriter covering Olympic and Paralympic sport for Suite101.com. Kristen's love of sport developed ...
