A Brief History of the Winter Olympic Games

Countries have been competing amongst each other in winter games shortly after the birth of the modern Olympics in 1896. It wasn't until the early 1920s, however, when these games were officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee and included in one of the most high-profile sporting events in the world.

The first "International Winter Sports Week" was held on January 25, 1924 in Chamonix, a town in the French Alps. Seven sports were represented: bobsleigh, curling, figure skating, ice hockey, military patrol, nordic skiing (cross-country, nordic combined and ski jumping) and speed skating. Military patrol is comparable to today's biathlon event, where athletes cross-country ski to a designated area and shoot targets with rifles. Over 200 athletes participated, yet less than 15 were women.  What's more, these women were only allowed to participate in figure skating events.

This week of winter sports was a huge success and the International Olympic Committee designated it as the first Winter Olympic Games. Four years later in 1928, the second Winter Games were held in Switzerland. Interesting fact: the opening ceremonies this year were held in a blizzard!  And though the early games were nominated by northern Europeans (Norwegians and Finns), contemporary Winter Olympics host strong athletes from all over the world.  The Winter Olympics have been steadily gaining recognition and popularity.

Participating nations: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden, United States and Yugoslavia.

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