1968 Winter Olympics

1968 Winter Olympics
Name	X Olympic Winter Games
Host city	Grenoble, France
Nations	37
Athletes	1,158 (947 men, 211 women)
Events	35 in 6 sports (10 disciplines)
Opening	6 February 1968
Closing	18 February 1968
Opened by	President Charles de Gaulle
Cauldron	Alain Calmat
Stadium	Stade Olympique de Grenoble
Winter prev	Innsbruck 1964
Winter next	Sapporo 1972
Summer prev	Tokyo 1964
Summer next	Mexico City 1968

1968 Winter Olympics. The 1968 Winter Olympics, officially known as the X Olympic Winter Games, were held in Grenoble, France, from 6 to 18 February. These Games were a significant event in the history of the International Olympic Committee and marked a major step forward in the commercialization and global television broadcasting of the Olympic Games. The competition featured memorable athletic performances and introduced several enduring innovations in Olympic presentation.

Background and bidding

The International Olympic Committee awarded the Games to Grenoble during its 61st Session in Innsbruck, Austria, in 1964. Grenoble's successful bid triumphed over other candidate cities, including Calgary in Canada, Lahti in Finland, Lake Placid in the United States, Oslo in Norway, and Sapporo in Japan. The selection of Grenoble was part of a strategic effort by the French government, under President Charles de Gaulle, to promote regional development in the French Alps and showcase modern France to the world. The bid committee, led by Mayor Albert Michallon and supported by figures like Jean-Claude Killy, emphasized the city's plans for extensive new infrastructure.

Venues and infrastructure

The organization of the Games led to a massive construction program, scattering competition sites across the Isère department. The main Olympic Park was centered around the new Stade Olympique de Grenoble, which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. Alpine skiing events were held at several resorts, with the men's downhill famously staged on the challenging Piste de Chamrousse. The Palais des Sports de Grenoble hosted figure skating and ice hockey, while speed skating took place at the outdoor Anneau de Vitesse in the suburb of Échirolles. A dedicated Olympic Village was built, and the Games were notable for the introduction of a stylized, cartoonish mascot named "Schuss" and the first official use of pictograms for each sport.

Participating nations

A then-record 37 National Olympic Committees sent athletes, marking the first Winter Games appearance for Morocco. The two German states, the East and the West, participated as a unified team for the last time, competing as Germany. The Soviet Union led a strong contingent from the Eastern Bloc, while the United States and traditional winter sports powers like Norway, Sweden, and Austria also fielded large teams. Notably, the International Olympic Committee did not invite South Africa due to its policy of apartheid.

Sports and calendar

The program featured 35 events in six sports: alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsleigh, cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping, and speed skating. Alpine skiing saw a major format change with the separation of the combined event, while biathlon transitioned to using small-bore rifles. The ice hockey tournament was won by the Soviet Union, continuing its dominance. The Games' schedule was tightly packed over 13 days, with figure skating and ice hockey events occurring at the Palais des Sports de Grenoble throughout, and the final weekend featuring the premier alpine skiing and ski jumping competitions.

Medal summary

The host nation, France, topped the medal table, largely due to the spectacular performance of alpine skier Jean-Claude Killy, who won all three men's events (downhill, slalom, and giant slalom). The Soviet Union finished second, earning numerous medals in cross-country skiing, figure skating, and ice hockey. Norway placed third, with strong showings in speed skating and ski jumping. Other notable multiple gold medalists included Toini Gustafsson of Sweden in cross-country skiing and Peggy Fleming of the United States, whose victory in women's figure skating was a highlight. The men's bobsleigh events were won by Italy.

Legacy and impact

The Grenoble Games are often cited as a turning point toward the modern, highly commercialized Olympics, with extensive television rights sales and corporate sponsorship. The massive infrastructure investments transformed Grenoble and its surrounding region, though they also led to significant debt. The success of stars like Jean-Claude Killy and Peggy Fleming boosted the global popularity of winter sports. Critically, the Games also intensified debates about amateurism and the growing influence of professionalism in Olympic sports, setting the stage for future conflicts within the International Olympic Committee. The innovations in branding, from mascots to pictograms, became standard for all subsequent Olympic Games.

Category:1968 Winter Olympics Category:1968 in French sport Category:International sports competitions hosted by France Category:Olympic Games in France