The First Winter Olympics : Chamonix 1924
The idea of holding ice based sports at the Olympics wasn't quite the innovation people think it is. There was a figure skating medal awarded in London 1908 and Antwerp 1920, and so the idea of a Winter Olympics began to get some momentum, however as the IOC didn't confirm Winter Olympic status until 1925, the 1924 event was termed "The International Winter Sports Week" (but was granted it's offical title of the first Winter Olympics in 1925).
Sixteen nations entered the stadium in the French town of Chamonix and from January 24th until February 5th proved the idea of a Winter Olympics was not just viable, but was a great draw for spectators. Medals were awarded in Nordic Skiing, Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Bobsleigh and Ice Hockey and by the end of the week one thing was clear, Scandanvia were the kings of the Ice.
Top Medalists at Chamonix 1924
1) Clas Thunberg (FIN) winning 3 golds, 1 silver , 1 bronze in Speed Skating
2) Thorleif Hang (NOR) winning 3 golds in Nordic Skiing
3) Julius Skutnabb (FIN) winning 1 golds, 1 silver , 1 bronze in Speed Skating
The idea of holding ice based sports at the Olympics wasn't quite the innovation people think it is. There was a figure skating medal awarded in London 1908 and Antwerp 1920, and so the idea of a Winter Olympics began to get some momentum, however as the IOC didn't confirm Winter Olympic status until 1925, the 1924 event was termed "The International Winter Sports Week" (but was granted it's offical title of the first Winter Olympics in 1925).
Sixteen nations entered the stadium in the French town of Chamonix and from January 24th until February 5th proved the idea of a Winter Olympics was not just viable, but was a great draw for spectators. Medals were awarded in Nordic Skiing, Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Bobsleigh and Ice Hockey and by the end of the week one thing was clear, Scandanvia were the kings of the Ice.
Top Medalists at Chamonix 1924
1) Clas Thunberg (FIN) winning 3 golds, 1 silver , 1 bronze in Speed Skating
2) Thorleif Hang (NOR) winning 3 golds in Nordic Skiing
3) Julius Skutnabb (FIN) winning 1 golds, 1 silver , 1 bronze in Speed Skating