This week in Olympic sports history: 29 Jan - 4 Feb, First podium medal ceremony

Olympics.com takes a look at the week in Olympic sports history, picking out some Olympian birthdays as well as notable sporting events for the week of January 29 - February 4

4 minBy Ontiou Dasylva
Winners Podium

Welcome to "This Week in Olympic Sports History," where Olympics.com explore the moments that have left their mark on Olympic sports.

This week, we are commemorating the first anniversary of a significant addition to the Olympic landscape—the debut of the podium as part of the medal ceremony, while we also celebrate the birth of two diving greats: Greg Louganis and Jack Laugher, among others.

Let's look at some of the most notable sports events and Olympic champions born this week in history.

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Notable Olympic birthdays, January 29 - February 4

Did You Know?

The Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York, which debuted on February 4th 1932, weren't just historic for the intense competition on the snow and ice but also for introducing a tradition that's now a staple of the Olympics: The podium medal ceremony.

Today, the medal ceremony is iconic and associated with Olympic history. During the 1930 Empire Games, the predecessor to the Commonwealth Games, the concept of medal presentation began to take shape. The former IOC President, Henri de Baillet-Latour, drew inspiration from the Empire Games' winner ceremony and decided it was time to introduce a similar spectacle at the Winter Games.

Breaking the Ice: Jack Shea, Pioneer of Podium Gold

Enter the victory podium, making its debut at the Lake Placid Winter Games. Speed skater Jack Shea became the first athlete to step onto the elevated structure, resembling three stacked crates.

In his hometown's Opening Ceremony, Shea took the athletes' oath on the podium. Later that day, he won the 500m race and became the first Olympic champion to receive a medal on the podium's top step. But, there was a slight hiccup during the ceremony – the positions were swapped. Norway's Bernt Evensen stood to Shea's left and Canada's Alexander Hurd to his right. A quick correction ensured the podium's proper use for the rest of the Games.

Fast forward to today, and podiums are set up at event locations, with different officials handling the medal presentations. The Olympic Winter Games also feature ceremonies at the "Medals Plaza" in city centres, adding a touch of glamour to the celebrations.

Since the Lake Placid Winter Games of 1932, the victory podium has witnessed countless iconic moments in Olympic history. The medal presentation ceremony is now an integral part of the Olympic tradition, with the victory podium standing tall as a symbol of Olympic achievement. So, the next time you see an athlete proudly standing on the podium, remember it all began in Lake Placid.

Quote of the week

Greg Louganis

Never underestimate your ability to make someone else's life better - even if you never know it.

These wise words came from four-time Olympic champion Greg Louganis, who clinched 3m sporingboard and 10m platform gold at both the Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988 Games. 

The Amerian produced a number of great quotes during his caerer. 

Another one is: 

"Fear is a part of everything you do ... You have to take great risks to get big rewards."

Don't forget to check back next week for another look into sports and Olympic history on Olympics.com.

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