The Winter Olympics captivate the world every four years with stunning displays of athleticism on ice and snow. However, the history of the Games is full of strange surprises and logistical nightmares. For instance, the Austrian army once had to haul thousands of tons of snow to save the event. Furthermore, horses used to pull skiers in a forgotten race. Consequently, these stories reveal the wild side of the competition. Therefore, grab your parka and explore these frozen secrets.
Winter Olympics
The first Winter Olympics in 1924 were not originally called the Olympics. Instead, organizers named the event the “International Winter Sports Week.”
Horses once pulled skiers in a sport called Skijoring. Specifically, this dangerous event appeared only once during the 1928 Games in St. Moritz.
The 1964 Games in Innsbruck faced a major crisis due to a lack of snow. Therefore, the Austrian army hauled 20,000 blocks of ice to the tracks.
Surprisingly, Summer and Winter Games took place in the same year until 1992. After that, the committee shifted the winter schedule to alternate every two years.
Walt Disney served as the Chairman of Pageantry for the 1960 Games. He organized the opening ceremony and even introduced high school bands.
A bobsled team from Jamaica famously competed in 1988. Although they crashed, they inspired the popular movie Cool Runnings.
Only one person has won gold in both Summer and Winter Olympics. Specifically, Eddie Eagan won in boxing and bobsledding.
Figure skaters used to trace patterns on the ice. In fact, these “compulsory figures” accounted for 60% of their total score until 1990.
The 2014 Sochi torch relay went underwater. Divers passed the lit flame at the bottom of Lake Baikal in Russia.
Norway holds the record for the most medals in Winter Games history. Consequently, this small nation dominates the medal table nearly every time.
Ski Ballet was once a demonstration sport. During the 1980s and 90s, skiers performed dance routines with music on a snowy slope.
The youngest male gold medalist was just 16 years old. Toni Nieminen won the ski jumping event in 1992 for Finland.
Medals contain very little actual gold. In reality, the gold medal is mostly silver with a thin layer of gold plating.
Steven Bradbury won gold because everyone else fell. The Australian skater was in last place until a massive crash took out all his rivals.
Finally, live pigeons were released at the 1960 opening ceremony. Unfortunately, the birds froze in the cold air.
