In 1921, the International Olympic Committee gave its patronage to a Winter Sports Week to take place in 1924 in Chamonix, France. This event was a great success, attracting 10,004 paying spectators, and was retrospectively named the First Olympic Winter Games.
American Charles Jewtraw became the first Winter Games champion by winning the first event, the 500m speed skating. The outstanding individual performer was Finland’s Clas Thunberg, who took five medals, including three golds, in the five speed skating events.
In ice hockey, the Canadian team managed to score 85 times without conceding a goal in its first three matches. Canada won the tournament by scoring 122 goals, with only three scored against them.
American Anders Haugen would have to wait 50 years to receive his bronze ski jumping medal. Deprived of his third place because of a marking error, Haugen eventually won his case and obtained his medal in 1974, aged 83.
NOCs: 16
Athletes: 260 (13 women, 247 men)
Events: 16
Volunteers: N/A
Media: N/A
Official Recognition
The first Olympic Winter Games were originally known as the "Winter Sports Week.” In 1926, during the 25th Session of the International Olympic Committee in Lisbon, the Chamonix Games were recognised as the first Olympic Winter Games.
Medal Presentation
The official medal ceremony was not held until 5 February, shortly before the closing speech by Pierre de Coubertin. As some athletes had already gone home, Frantz Reichel presented their medals to other members of their teams.
Track at the Foot of the Glaciers
The bobsleigh competition was held on the Pélerins track, named after the glacier which dominates it. The equipment was transported to the top of the track using the old cable car of the Aiguille du Midi.
Equipment on Shoulders
For the parade of the delegations during the Opening Ceremony, many athletes marched with their equipment on their shoulder (skis, hockey sticks, etc.). Indeed, according to the rules in place at the time, the athletes had to march in sportswear, and the skis or hockey sticks were part of their equipment. Today, the delegations no longer wear their sportswear, but they try to outdo each other in terms of imagination to appear in all their finery.
Last, but at Least Ranked
In cross country skiing, in the 50km event, held in a violent and icy cold wind, the last ranked competitor finished 2h 30m after Norway’s Thorleif Haug, who won the event in 3h 44m.
Ceremonies
25 January 1924, Chamonix. Delegations in the Olympic Stadium.
Official Opening of the Games by:
Under Secretary for Physical Education, Gaston Vidal
Lighting the Olympic Flame by:
A symbolic fire at an Olympic Winter Games was first lit in 1936 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Olympic Oath by:
Camille Mandrillon (military patrol)
Officials' Oath by:
The officials' oath at an Olympic Winter Games was first sworn in 1972 at Sapporo.
