1924Primary sourceWell documented
The First Winter Olympics
On the timeline · around 1924 · Revival & the Early Modern Games
What happened
In 1924 an 'International Winter Sports Week' was held at Chamonix in the French Alps, featuring skiing, skating, and ice hockey. It was such a success that the International Olympic Committee recognized it retroactively as the first Winter Olympic Games, and a separate Winter Games has been held ever since.
Why it matters
The Winter Olympics extended the Olympic movement to cold-weather sports and nations, creating a second great four-yearly festival that brought skiing, skating, and other winter disciplines to a global audience.