Squaw Valley, a tiny California village in the High Sierras, was host to 850 athletes from 31 nations for the VIII Winter Games. Snow fell on the opening day, February 18, but thereafter the weather was excellent. The winter events began amid some grumbling about the site and the state of preparation, but the criticism turned to praise before the closing ceremonies on February 28.
The Russians, who competed in the Winter Olympics for the first time in 1956, greatly increased their supremacy, gaining seven gold medals and earning more than double the points of any other country in the unofficial scoring. The United States repeated its triumphs in both the men's and women's figure skating, and achieved a major upset by winning the hockey championship. In total points, the United States rose to third from sixth in 1956. …
The American hockey team was unbeaten with five victories, including a 2-to-1 triumph over Canada, the Canadians' only defeat. Backed by the excellent goal tending of Ted McCartan, the Americans defeated Russia by 3 to 2. The Soviet Union finished the tournament with two victories, two defeats and one tie.
In the finale of the round-robin play, the United States trailed Czechoslovakia, 4 to 3, after two periods. During the intermission, Soviet Captain Nikolai Sologubov visited the American dressing room and suggested that the disconsolate team try inhaling oxygen to offset the 6,200-ft. altitude. Taking this advice, the Americans went on to score six goals in the third period and defeat the Czechs, 9 to 4. Three of the last-period goals were scored by Roger Christian, who totaled four for the game.
The winter carnival attracted 240,900 spectators during the 11 days of competition, but did not prove a profitable venture for the promoting organization. However, the State of California provided financial backing and will develop the site further as a state park.
Bobsledding was omitted from the program because too few nations indicated an interest.
Medals table:
1. Soviet Union 7 gold, 5 silver, 9 bronze
2. Germany 4, 3, 1
3. United States 3, 4, 3
4. Norway 3, 3, 0
5. Sweden 3, 2, 2
6. Finland 2, 3, 3
7. Canada 2, 1, 1
8. Switzerland 2, 0, 0
9. Austria 1, 2, 3
10. France 1, 0, 2
11. Netherlands 0, 1, 1
11. Poland 0, 1, 1
13. Czechoslovakia 0, 1, 0
14. Italy 0, 0, 1
15. Argentina 0, 0, 0
15. Australia 0, 0, 0
15. Bulgaria 0, 0, 0
15. Chile 0, 0, 0
15. Denmark 0, 0, 0
15. Great Britain 0, 0, 0
15. Hungary 0, 0, 0
15. Iceland 0, 0, 0
15. Japan 0, 0, 0
15. South Korea 0, 0, 0
15. Lebanon 0, 0, 0
15. Liechtenstein 0, 0, 0
15. New Zealand 0, 0, 0
15. South Africa 0, 0, 0
15. Spain 0, 0, 0
15. Turkey 0, 0, 0
("Winter Olympics." Collier's Encyclopedia Yearbook (New York: Crowell-Collier Publishing Corporation, 1961) 582-583.)
Your desire to hold onto the winter Olympics makes me think of Homer Simpson after he was thrown out of the all you can eat seafood restaurant.
ReplyDeleteI'm watching a program called "Return to Sochi" on NBC Sports Network right now!
DeleteBobsledding was omitted? I had never heard that before.
ReplyDelete