1976 winter games

the 1976 winter Olympics were held in Innsbruck Austria and held from February 4 - 15.  37 nations went to these games.  they were originally awarded to Denver in 1970.  voters there rejected funding for the games in 1972, so for the first and only time, a city that was awarded the games had to reject them.  Denver withrew on November 15, 1972.  the IOC offered the games to Whistler B.C., but they declined due to a change in government.  Salt Lake offered but was denied.  Innsbruck offered and accepted.  highlights include:  1. Rosi Mittermaier of West Germany came within 0.13 second of sweeping the alpine skiing golds.  she wins 2g and 1s. 2. Tatiana Averina of the Soviet Union wins four medals, while the U.S. win six medals in speed skating.  3. the East German 4 man bobsled team wins the first of three consecutive Olympic golds.  4. the Soviet Union wins its 4th straight hockey gold (matched by Canada's womens hockey team later).  Canada did not send a team for the second Olympics in a row, citing amateur rules.  Sweden joined them here.  5.  Bobsled and luge competed on the same track for the first time.  figure skater Terry Kubicka of the U.S. attempted - and completed - a dangerous backflip.  it was legal at the time and was banned afterwards.  Canada won three medals - 1g, 1s, 1b at these games.  tomorrow - the 1980 games.  here is the logo for these games.