Venues of the 1932 Winter Olympics
Encyclopedia
For the 1932 Winter Olympics
in Lake Placid, New York
, United States
, a total of five sports venues were used. This was unchanged from the previous games
in St. Moritz
. For the first time in the history of the Winter Olympics, an indoor venue was used for the figure skating and six of the twelve ice hockey events at the Olympic Arena. The first bobsleigh venue outside of Europe
was constructed for use. Four different 18 km and five different 50 km venues were submitted for approval prior to the Olympics. After the 1932 games, three of these venues served as host for their respective championships that were held outside of Europe
for the first time.
Cross country skiing trails took place around the hills of Lake Placid. Maintenance of the trails were first done by the New York State Conservation Department (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
since 1970) Within a 10 mi (16.1 km) radius around Lake Placid at the time of the 1932 Games, there were 250 mi (402.3 km) worth of good ski trails. Despite this, an additional 70 mi (112.7 km) had to be built and were accurately measured with steel tape to the nearest 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi) in order to meet the requirements of the International Ski Federation
(FIS). Four different courses for the 18 km event and five different courses for the 50 km event were submitted to the FIS.
The Stadium was constructed at the local high school. This purchased was approved by the city in 1929 following a series of local board meetings. A total 7.3 acre (3 ha) was leased by the Park Commission from the Lake Placid Board of Education that would run until 2028. Construction began in December 1929 and was completed by November 1931. At the arena was a 400 m (1,312.3 ft) long, circular track used for speed skating.
The Arena was an idea of Godfrey Dewey, president of the Organizing Committee, after he saw what sudden thaws had done to the Winter Olympics both in Chamonix
and in St. Moritz
. A visit by International Olympic Committee
President Count Henri de Baillet-Latour
in September 1930 encouraged Dewey to construct the indoor arena. This was approved at a board meeting later that month to investigation. Discussions ensued among the Olympic organizers until a site was approved in April 1931. Property was purchased in June of that year followed by an approval of a municipal bond
in July. Construction took place between August 1931 and January 1932. Over 9 mi (14.5 km) of steel pipes of were laid down on the floor to help make the ice.
The Bob Run was constructed during August-December 1930 and opened on Christmas Day 1930. This was done after site selection was met with protest over the use of the track in state-owned lands.
Weather also gave problems for the four-man bobsleigh event that were so bad that it delayed the finals until after the closing ceremony. Officials wanted to have all four runs be done on 14 February. After the second run, American
bobsledder Francis Stevens protested the racing conditions of the track by walking off. Most of the other bobsledders followed Stevens. The final two runs were set on the 15th as a result.
The 50 km event on 13 February was held in a raging blizzard
. Skiers and officials argued about the course itself, delaying the start of the race for three hours. Despite this, it produced the closest 50 km race in Olympic history then when Finland
's Veli Saarinen
defeated his fellow countryman Väinö Liikkanen
by 20 seconds. This record would stand until the 1968 Winter Olympics
, when Norway
's Ole Ellefsæter
beat out the Soviet Union
's Vyacheslav Vedenin
by 16.7 seconds.
for the first time. After the 1932 Games, the Stadium hosted the World Allround Speed Skating Championships for Men
(Women
's would not take place officially until 1936.). The bob track would host the International Bobsleigh World Championships
in 1949
. In 1950, the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
, the ski jumping and the ski jumping part of the Nordic combined event took place at the ski jump used for the 1932 games.
1932 Winter Olympics
The 1932 Winter Olympics, officially known as the III Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1932 in Lake Placid, New York, United States. The games opened on February 4 and closed on February 15. It would be the first winter olympics held in the United...
in Lake Placid, New York
Lake Placid, New York
Lake Placid is a village in the Adirondack Mountains in Essex County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village had a population of 2,638....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, a total of five sports venues were used. This was unchanged from the previous games
1928 Winter Olympics
The 1928 Winter Olympics, officially known as the II Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated February 11–19, 1928 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The 1928 Games were the first true Winter Olympics held on its own as they were not in conjunction with a Summer Olympics...
in St. Moritz
St. Moritz
St. Moritz is a resort town in the Engadine valley in Switzerland. It is a municipality in the district of Maloja in the Swiss canton of Graubünden...
. For the first time in the history of the Winter Olympics, an indoor venue was used for the figure skating and six of the twelve ice hockey events at the Olympic Arena. The first bobsleigh venue outside of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
was constructed for use. Four different 18 km and five different 50 km venues were submitted for approval prior to the Olympics. After the 1932 games, three of these venues served as host for their respective championships that were held outside of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
for the first time.
Venues
| Venue | Sports | Capacity | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intervales Ski-Hill Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex The Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex comprises a 90- and 120-meter ski jumps towers built for the 1980 Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York, United States... |
Nordic combined Nordic combined at the 1932 Winter Olympics At the 1932 Winter Olympics one individual Nordic combined event was contested. It was held on Wednesday, February 10, 1932 and on Thursday, February 11, 1932 . Unlike today the ski jump was the last event held... (ski jumping), Ski jumping Ski jumping at the 1932 Winter Olympics At the 1932 Winter Olympics one individual ski jumping event was contested. It was held on Friday, February 12, 1932.-Medalists:-Results:The competition took place at "Intervales Hill" with a K-Point of 61 meters .-Participating nations:... |
9,200 | |
| Lake Placid Lake Placid, New York Lake Placid is a village in the Adirondack Mountains in Essex County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village had a population of 2,638.... |
Cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing at the 1932 Winter Olympics At the 1932 Winter Olympics, two cross country skiing events were contested. The 18 km competition was held on Wednesday, February 10, 1932 while the 50 km event was held on Saturday, February 13, 1932.-Medal summary:... , Nordic combined (cross-country skiing) |
Not listed. | |
| Mt. Van Hoevenberg Bob-Run | Bobsleigh Bobsleigh at the 1932 Winter Olympics At the 1932 Winter Olympics, two bobsleigh events were contested. The competitions were held from February 9, 1932 to February 15, 1932. Events were held at the Lake Placid bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track.-Medal summary:-Participating nations:... |
12,500 | |
| Olympic Arena Herb Brooks Arena The Herb Brooks Arena, known as the Olympic Center until 2005, is a 7,700-seat multi-purpose arena in Lake Placid, New York. This arena was built for the 1932 Winter Olympics, the first indoor arena used for the Winter Olympics. For the 1932 Games, it hosted the figure skating and six of the twelve... |
Figure skating Figure skating at the 1932 Winter Olympics At the 1932 Winter Olympics, three figure skating events were contested. The competitions were held from Monday, February 8, 1932 to Friday, February 12, 1932... , Ice hockey Ice hockey at the 1932 Winter Olympics At the 1932 Winter Olympics, the ice hockey tournament was contested by only four teams. The competition was held from Thursday, February 4, 1932 to Saturday, February 13, 1932... (final) |
3,360 | |
| Olympic Stadium | Ice hockey, Speed skating Speed skating at the 1932 Winter Olympics At the 1932 Winter Olympics, four speed skating events were contested. For the only time in the Olympic history, the speed skating were held as packstyle events, having all competitors skate at the same time. This competition form was not common in Europe and gave the runners from the United States... |
7,475 | |
Before the Olympics
The first ski jump was constructed in Lake Placid in 1920. It had a 35 m (114.8 ft) hill. Three years later, the hill was rebuilt that was 50 m (164 ft) long. Finally, the hill was made 60 m (196.9 ft) long in 1927.Cross country skiing trails took place around the hills of Lake Placid. Maintenance of the trails were first done by the New York State Conservation Department (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for the conservation, improvement, and protection of natural resources within the U.S. state of New York. It was founded in 1970, replacing the previous Conservation Department...
since 1970) Within a 10 mi (16.1 km) radius around Lake Placid at the time of the 1932 Games, there were 250 mi (402.3 km) worth of good ski trails. Despite this, an additional 70 mi (112.7 km) had to be built and were accurately measured with steel tape to the nearest 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi) in order to meet the requirements of the International Ski Federation
International Ski Federation
The International Ski Federation, known by its name in French, Fédération Internationale de Ski is the main international organisation for ski sports...
(FIS). Four different courses for the 18 km event and five different courses for the 50 km event were submitted to the FIS.
The Stadium was constructed at the local high school. This purchased was approved by the city in 1929 following a series of local board meetings. A total 7.3 acre (3 ha) was leased by the Park Commission from the Lake Placid Board of Education that would run until 2028. Construction began in December 1929 and was completed by November 1931. At the arena was a 400 m (1,312.3 ft) long, circular track used for speed skating.
The Arena was an idea of Godfrey Dewey, president of the Organizing Committee, after he saw what sudden thaws had done to the Winter Olympics both in Chamonix
Chamonix
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or, more commonly, Chamonix is a commune in the Haute-Savoie département in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It was the site of the 1924 Winter Olympics, the first Winter Olympics...
and in St. Moritz
St. Moritz
St. Moritz is a resort town in the Engadine valley in Switzerland. It is a municipality in the district of Maloja in the Swiss canton of Graubünden...
. A visit by International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
President Count Henri de Baillet-Latour
Henri de Baillet-Latour
Count Henri de Baillet-Latour was a Belgian aristocrat and the third president of the International Olympic Committee....
in September 1930 encouraged Dewey to construct the indoor arena. This was approved at a board meeting later that month to investigation. Discussions ensued among the Olympic organizers until a site was approved in April 1931. Property was purchased in June of that year followed by an approval of a municipal bond
Municipal bond
A municipal bond is a bond issued by a city or other local government, or their agencies. Potential issuers of municipal bonds includes cities, counties, redevelopment agencies, special-purpose districts, school districts, public utility districts, publicly owned airports and seaports, and any...
in July. Construction took place between August 1931 and January 1932. Over 9 mi (14.5 km) of steel pipes of were laid down on the floor to help make the ice.
The Bob Run was constructed during August-December 1930 and opened on Christmas Day 1930. This was done after site selection was met with protest over the use of the track in state-owned lands.
During the Olympics
Ice hockey was initial scheduled to have ten of their twelve games at the Stadium while two would be at the arena. A thawing in the ice outdoors forced four of the hockey games to be moved indoors to the arena.Weather also gave problems for the four-man bobsleigh event that were so bad that it delayed the finals until after the closing ceremony. Officials wanted to have all four runs be done on 14 February. After the second run, American
United States at the 1932 Winter Olympics
The United States was the host nation for the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.- Medalists :- Bobsleigh:- Cross-country skiing:Men- Figure skating:MenWomenPairs- Ice hockey:- Nordic combined :...
bobsledder Francis Stevens protested the racing conditions of the track by walking off. Most of the other bobsledders followed Stevens. The final two runs were set on the 15th as a result.
The 50 km event on 13 February was held in a raging blizzard
Blizzard
A blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterized by strong winds. By definition, the difference between blizzard and a snowstorm is the strength of the wind. To be a blizzard, a snow storm must have winds in excess of with blowing or drifting snow which reduces visibility to 400 meters or ¼ mile or...
. Skiers and officials argued about the course itself, delaying the start of the race for three hours. Despite this, it produced the closest 50 km race in Olympic history then when Finland
Finland at the 1932 Winter Olympics
Finland competed at the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, United States. Finland has competed at every Winter Olympic Games.-Medalists:- Cross-country skiing:Men- Figure skating:Men- Speed skating:Men-References:*...
's Veli Saarinen
Veli Saarinen
Veli Selim Saarinen was a Finnish cross-country skier who competed in the 1920s and 1930's.He was born in Martinsaari and died in Helsinki....
defeated his fellow countryman Väinö Liikkanen
Väinö Liikkanen
Väinö Liikkanen was a Finnish cross-country skier who competed in the 1920s and 1930's.He was born in Virolahti....
by 20 seconds. This record would stand until the 1968 Winter Olympics
1968 Winter Olympics
The 1968 Winter Olympics, officially known as the X Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1968 in Grenoble, France and opened on 6 February. Thirty-seven countries participated...
, when Norway
Norway at the 1968 Winter Olympics
-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's slalomWomen- Biathlon:Men1One minute added per close miss , two minutes added per complete miss.Men's 4 x 7.5 km relay...
's Ole Ellefsæter
Ole Ellefsæter
Ole Ellefsæter is a retired sportsman from Norway. He chiefly competed in cross-country skiing, and won two gold medals at the 1968 Winter Olympics. At the 1966 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships he won one gold and one silver medal, and in 1971 he became the first Norwegian to win Vasaloppet...
beat out the Soviet Union
Soviet Union at the 1968 Winter Olympics
The Soviet Union competed at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's slalomWomen- Biathlon:Men...
's Vyacheslav Vedenin
Vyacheslav Vedenin
Vyacheslav Petrovitch Vedenin was a Soviet cross country skier who competed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, training at Dynamo in Moscow.He won the 50 km silver at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble...
by 16.7 seconds.
After the Olympics
Three of the venues would become host to events that were held outside of EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
for the first time. After the 1932 Games, the Stadium hosted the World Allround Speed Skating Championships for Men
World Allround Speed Skating Championships for Men
The International Skating Union has organised the World Allround Speed Skating Championships for Men since 1893. Unofficial Championships were held in the years 1889-1892.-History:-Distances used:...
(Women
World Allround Speed Skating Championships for Women
The International Skating Union has organised the World Allround Speed Skating Championships for Women since 1936. Unofficial Championships were held in the years 1933-1935.-Distances used:...
's would not take place officially until 1936.). The bob track would host the International Bobsleigh World Championships
FIBT World Championships
The FIBT World Championships, part of the Fédération Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing , have taken place on an annual basis in non-Winter Olympic years since 1930. A two-man event was included in 1931 with a combined championship occurring in 1947...
in 1949
FIBT World Championships 1949
The FIBT World Championships 1949 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States. It marked the first time the championships took place outside of Europe.-Two man bobsleigh:-Four man bobsleigh:...
. In 1950, the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been held in various numbers and types of events since 1925 for men and since 1954 for women. Championship events include nordic skiing's three disciplines: cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and nordic combined...
, the ski jumping and the ski jumping part of the Nordic combined event took place at the ski jump used for the 1932 games.