Thorleif Haug, one of the Norwegian stars of Chamonix 1924. © Yearbook of the Swiss Ski Federation

The origins of the Winter Olympic Games

The Winter Olympics are today a global sporting event with enormous appeal – but their path to recognition was long and fraught with resistance. Here is the story from our guest author, Christof Thöny.

February 04, 2026

By: christof.thöny

The idea of ​​the Winter Olympics is almost as old as the idea of ​​holding the Summer Games, which were first held in Athens in 1896 based on proposals by the French Baron Pierre de Coubertin. He rejected the idea of ​​winter competitions, however, as he saw no ancient precedents. Moreover, the Swedish founding member of the IOC viewed them as competition for his Nordic Games. The Olympic Games planned for Berlin in 1916 would have included skiing events in the Black Forest. However, the First World War thwarted these plans.

After the war, skiers from the national federations were particularly eager for the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in international competition. Scandinavian officials remained hesitant, as they still considered themselves the guardians of "pure skiing," even though alpine disciplines were beginning to develop in the Alps, especially in the Bernese Oberland. The second Summer Olympic Games after the war were awarded to Paris in 1924, fulfilling a wish of Pierre de Coubertin.

Vinzenz Buchberger, ski jumper from Czechoslovakia.

Due to pressure from winter sports enthusiasts, the organizers felt compelled to hold an "International Winter Sports Week" in conjunction with the Games – albeit under the condition that the word "Olympic" should not be used in any way, nor could any corresponding symbols. Several French winter sports resorts offered to host the event, with Chamonix ultimately being chosen. The town offered the best conditions for the planned competitions and also boasted a newly built train station, which was expected to attract large crowds and thus generate economic growth. Even then, the connection between the Winter Games and the creation of infrastructure was emphasized, a connection that remains of great importance to this day.

Initially almost exclusively men

The competitions held between the opening ceremony on January 24 and the closing ceremony on February 5, 1924, included biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, figure skating, and speed skating, as well as cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and the combined event. The latter events were dominated by Norwegian athletes. The daily newspaper Sportliv headlined: "We have shown the world the Nordic way." Women were only permitted to compete in figure skating.

The success of the competitions in Chamonix spoke for itself. They were subsequently declared the first Winter Olympic Games. Thus began a tradition that continues now – more than 100 years later – in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.