In which year were the Olympic Winter Games introduced?

The Olympic Winter Games were first held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. This inaugural edition, held from January 25 to February 5, 1924, brought together some 250 athletes from 16 nations. It marked a turning point in the history of sport, being the first international competition devoted solely to winter sports such as skiing, figure skating, ice hockey and bobsleigh.

The Winter Games were born of the expansion of snow and ice sports in Europe and North America at the beginning of the 20th century. Before 1924, winter sports were sometimes included in the Summer Olympic Games. Figure skating, for example, was introduced at the London Games in 1908 and again at the Antwerp Games in 1920. However, with the rise of winter sports and the development of winter sports resorts, the idea of creating a separate event for these disciplines took shape.

Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, supported the idea, although there was initial resistance, particularly from Sweden, which saw the new Winter Games as competition to its own Nordic Games. Nevertheless, in 1924, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) authorized the organization of an International Winter Sports Week in the Chamonix valley, under the patronage of the Olympic Games. The event was so successful that the IOC officially recognized it as the first Winter Olympic Games.

Since then, the Olympic Winter Games have been held every four years, constantly evolving in terms of disciplines and participants. They have become a global event celebrated by millions of spectators and television viewers, highlighting the performances of athletes in a variety of sports such as snowboarding, biathlon and curling. In 1994, a major change took place: the Winter Games alternated with the Summer Games to spread Olympic interest more evenly, allowing the Winter and Summer Games to be held every two years.

The Winter Olympics have not only showcased winter sports, they have also helped to promote values of endurance, precision and self-control, particularly in often extreme climatic conditions. Iconic venues such as Lake Placid, Innsbruck, Nagano and more recently PyeongChang have hosted subsequent editions, each adding its own touch to the history of the event. Today, the Olympic Winter Games continue to represent a leading international platform for athletes, while inspiring generations of winter sports enthusiasts around the world.

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