Winter Olympics Memorable Moments

Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff

The legends and foibles of the Winter Olympics

 

Alpine and Nordic Skiing

An Avalanche Named Killy
A controversial sweep in alpine skiing

Franz Klammer
The man who gave himself "terrible frights"

Bjorn Daehlie
The winningest Winter Olympian

Alberto "La Bomba" Tomba
The big Italian with the even bigger hair

Hermann Maier
The Hermanator's horrific spill in 1998

 

Figure Skating

Sonja Henie
Ten world championships, four Olympic appearances, and three consecutive Olympic gold medals

Dorothy Hamill
The media darling of 1976

Tonya and Nancy
An ex-husband, a metal baton, and a U.S. title

Katarina Witt
Near-flawless technique and charismatic style

Speed Skating

Eric Heiden
Won the speed skating equivalent of a sprint, a marathon, and everything in between

Bonnie Blair
One of the most decorated Winter Olympians in U.S. history

Jansen Saves His Best for Last
A gold medal and a world record in 1994

 

Bobsled

The Jamaican Bobsled Team
The tropical island's first representative at the Winter Olympics

Hockey

The Miracle of 1960
U.S. hockey's original golden boys

The Miracle of 1980
Cold war heroes

 

Ski Jumping

Eddie "the Eagle" Edwards
The comically inept British "ski jumper"

Happy Harada
Japanese ski-jumping legend

Trivia

Did You Know?
Fun Olympic facts for trivia buffs and novices

Olympic Fun Facts
Poland's "Stella the Fella" and other amazing trivia

 

History

Olympic Symbols and Traditions
Flames, doves, oaths, and more

Olympic Traditions
The Olympics draws on traditions of war, religion, economy

Olympics Timeline
From ancient Greece to the present day

Quizzes

Did You Know?
Did you know China won their first Winter Olympic gold medals in Salt Lake City? What sport did they win them in?

Winter Olympics Trivia
Who has won the most medals for the United States in the Winter Olympics?

Turin Olympics
Turin, Italy is the site of the 2006 Winter Games. The Winter Games were held in Italy once before. What year?

Winter Olympics History: Part I
What the was first year that female athletes could compete in events other than figure skating at a Winter Olympics?

Winter Olympics History: Part II
East Germany made its Olympic debut at which Winter Games?

Salt Lake City Recap
What country won the most medals at the Salt Lake City Games?

 
More about the 2014 Winter Olympics

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