On 25 January 1924, in the French Alpine resort of Chamonix, the International Winter Sports Week, held in connection with the Paris Summer Olympics and later recognised as the first Winter Olympic Games, opened with 258 athletes from 16 countries, 11 of them women, competing in skiing, speed skating, figure skating, ice hockey, curling and bobsleigh. Charles Jewtraw of the United States won the first gold medal, in the 500 metres speed skating. Norway topped the medal table, and an 11-year-old Norwegian, Sonja Henie, finished last in the figure skating before winning three gold medals from 1928. The IOC recognised the event as the first Winter Games in 1925, and they have been held every four years since.
Before and after
- 1924Origins of Allsvenskan
- 1924Founding of Colombia men's national football team
- 7 January 1924Founding of International Hockey Federation
- 21 January 1924Death of Vladimir Lenin
- from 25 January 1924 to 5 February 1924The first Winter Olympic Games open at Chamonix
- 2 February 1924Founding of International Ski and Snowboard Federation
- 3 February 1924Death of Woodrow Wilson
- 21 February 1924Birth of Robert Mugabe
- 3 April 1924Birth of Marlon Brando
More in Society, economy & sport
- 16 October 1923Founding of The Walt Disney Company
- 1937Nanjing Massacre
- 1938Founding of Samsung Group
- 1940Katyn massacre
- 15 May 1940Founding of McDonald's
- 1941Rise of Vietnamese Independence League
The era
This moment belongs to the Modern era (1914 CE to 1945 CE), world wars and a changing world. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.