Winter Olympics

Guide Note

The Winter Olympics are held every four years and involve athletes from countries around the world competing in various sporting events. Beginning in 1994, the Summer and Winter Olympic games were staggered, so that there is one set of Olympic games, summer or winter, alternating every two years.

Fast Facts

1. The 2010 Winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from February 12-28
2. 86 events in 7 sports will be featured at the 2010 Winter Olympics¹
3. 2,508 athletes from 80 countries participated in the 2006 Winter Olympics²
4. The 2014 Winter Olympics will be held in Sochi, Russia
5. An organizing committee determines host locations
6. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded respectively to the first, second and third place finishers in each event

The first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. Originally called "The International Winter Sports Week," the games featured athletes from 16 countries competing in 16 events.³