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Fascinating Photos Capture The First Ever Winter Olympics In 1924

Fascinating Photos Capture The First Ever Winter Olympics In 1924

There’s not a sponsorship logo or LED scoreboard in sight.

More than a century ago, in January 1924, some 258 athletes from 16 nations gathered in the French alpine resort of Chamonix to take part in the very first Winter Olympics.

Black-and-white photographs from the inaugural Games offer a striking glimpse into how different the sporting showdown once looked, and are a stark contrast to what audiences will see at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, when around 3,500 athletes from more than 90 countries are expected to compete.

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The archival images capture moments from the opening ceremony, skaters posing in training and even the aftermath of a dramatic bobsleigh crash — but all without a sponsorship logo or LED scoreboard in sight.

See the photos below:

The United States delegation during the Opening Ceremony of the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France. The teams of all the nations paraded from the City Hall to the skating rink, where the actual competitions began the following day.
The United States delegation during the Opening Ceremony of the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France. The teams of all the nations paraded from the City Hall to the skating rink, where the actual competitions began the following day. via Associated Press
Eleven-year-old Sonja Henie, left, and world champion skater Gilles Grafstrom, at the 1924 Olympics.
Eleven-year-old Sonja Henie, left, and world champion skater Gilles Grafstrom, at the 1924 Olympics. via Associated Press
American speed skaters practising in Chamonix.
American speed skaters practising in Chamonix. Topical Press Agency via Getty Images
French figure skater Andree Joly and U.S. figure skater Beatrix Loughran posing during a practice session.
French figure skater Andree Joly and U.S. figure skater Beatrix Loughran posing during a practice session. Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Norwegian ski jumper Jacob Tullin Thams takes flight.
Norwegian ski jumper Jacob Tullin Thams takes flight. Topical Press Agency via Getty Images
Delegates of the competing nations gather near Saint-Michel Church and the Hotel de Ville for the opening ceremony.
Delegates of the competing nations gather near Saint-Michel Church and the Hotel de Ville for the opening ceremony. Topical Press Agency via Getty Images
American speed skater Charles Jewtraw in the process of winning gold in the men's 500 metres speed skating, becoming the first ever Winter Olympics gold medallist.
American speed skater Charles Jewtraw in the process of winning gold in the men's 500 metres speed skating, becoming the first ever Winter Olympics gold medallist. Topical Press Agency via Getty Images
Norway's Sonja Henie competing, at the age of just 11, in the ladies' singles figure skating.
Norway's Sonja Henie competing, at the age of just 11, in the ladies' singles figure skating. Topical Press Agency via Getty Images
The competitors being taken to the starting point of the bobsleigh event.
The competitors being taken to the starting point of the bobsleigh event. Topical Press Agency via Getty Images
Bringing down the injured following a bobsleigh crash.
Bringing down the injured following a bobsleigh crash. Topical Press Agency via Getty Images
Belgian figure skater Freddy Mesot posing during a training session.
Belgian figure skater Freddy Mesot posing during a training session. Topical Press Agency via Getty Images
The Italian team during the inaugural opening parade.
The Italian team during the inaugural opening parade. DE AGOSTINI PICTURE LIBRARY via Getty Images
The start of the 10,000-meter speed skating event.
The start of the 10,000-meter speed skating event. DE AGOSTINI PICTURE LIBRARY via Getty Images
U.S. ice hockey goalkeeper Alphonse Lacroix during practice, ahead of winning a silver medal with the team.
U.S. ice hockey goalkeeper Alphonse Lacroix during practice, ahead of winning a silver medal with the team. Bettmann via Getty Images
Britain's four-man bobsleigh team in action in Chamonix.
Britain's four-man bobsleigh team in action in Chamonix. Topical Press Agency via Getty Images
Figure skaters Herma Planck-Szabo of Hungary, Ethel Muckelt of Britain and Beatrix Loughran of the U.S.
Figure skaters Herma Planck-Szabo of Hungary, Ethel Muckelt of Britain and Beatrix Loughran of the U.S. Topical Press Agency via Getty Images
English speed skaters training in Chamonix.
English speed skaters training in Chamonix. Topical Press Agency via Getty Images
The Canadian ice hockey team, the Toronto Granites, beat the United States in the final 6-1 to take the gold medal.
The Canadian ice hockey team, the Toronto Granites, beat the United States in the final 6-1 to take the gold medal. Topical Press Agency via Getty Images
Herma Planck-Szabo of Austria on her way to winning the women's figure skating gold medal.
Herma Planck-Szabo of Austria on her way to winning the women's figure skating gold medal. Topical Press Agency via Getty Images
French athletes swear to conduct the Games in a loyal way.
French athletes swear to conduct the Games in a loyal way. Topical Press Agency via Getty Images
The Canadian ice hockey team scoring during the final in which they beat the United States, 6-1.
The Canadian ice hockey team scoring during the final in which they beat the United States, 6-1. Hulton Archive via Getty Images

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Category: General Sports

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