1924 winter Olympics

 The historical countdown to Beijing starts in 1924 in Chamonix France.  They were held from January 25-Febrary 5. 16 nations and 258 athletes were at these games. Highlights include:

1. They were originally called International Winter Sports Week.  In 1925 the IOC decided to rename it the first winter Olympics and had them independent from the summer games. 

2. The tradition of having them the same year as the summer games also began here. 

3. The first winter Olympics gold went to Charles Jewlain in the 500m speed skating event. 

4. Sonja Henie of Norway participated in her first Olympics at 11 years old. Although she finishes last here, she would win gold in three straight Olympics.

5. Gilles Grafstrom of Sweden defends his 1920 summer Olympics gold in figure skating.

6. Canada, represented by the Toronto Granites, also defend their 1920 summer Olympics gold.

7. There were two podium sweeps here, both by Norway, and both by Thorlief Haub, Thoralif Stromstad and Johan Grottumsbraten.  First was January 30 in the men's 50k cross country skiing. The second was February 4 in the Nordic combined. 

8. Canada finished the games with one medal - the Gold medal in hockey. Tomorrow - the 1928 games in St. Moritz Switzerland.