A Century on Ice: 100 Years of the Winter Olympics

This article examines the history of the Winter Olympics over the past century. 

(Image credit to BBC.co.uk)

The Olympic Games in Chamonix back in 1924 only consisted of 16 Nations. The sports competed in this edition of the Winter Olympics were Figure Skating, Speed Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Ski Jumping, Bobsleigh, and the newly emerging Ice Hockey. 

But by the time that Snt Moritz had hosted the Winter Olympics 4 years later in  1928 the games had found a blend of both tradition and innovation, which only the Winter Olympics can bring. Over the years, the Winter Olympics have expanded from Lake Placid to vancouver each edition creating memories that some will never forget. 

Moments That Defined a Century

Sonja Henie’s reign - Back in the 1920s and 1930s, Sonja Henie had transformed Figure Skating into a form of art. 

The rise of snowboarding - In the 1990s and the early 2000s, many young players were making a name for themselves in snowboarding. 

The dominance of athletes like Marit Bjørgen, Shaun White, and Yuzuru Hanyu has shown the world what excellence on both snow and ice looks like. 

Innovation on Ice

The Winter Olympics have changed over the years. As technology has transformed things from broadcasting to equipment. The introduction of artificial snow and advanced timing systems has pushed the athletes' performances to all-new heights. 

A Global Stage for Human Stories

Over the last 100 years, the Winter Olympics have showcased many athletes who train obsessively for a moment that could last for less than a minute. From the precision of the Biathlon to the chaos that happens on the ice and out on the snow, the games offer a whole load of emotion that is unmatched in sport. 

Article written by Elsie Nash © Elsie Nash 2026