Chamonix 1924: The Figure Skating Competition

It's Women's History Month, so we're devoting this episode to the women of Chamonix 1924--all 13 of them. 

At the first Winter Olympics, women competed in ladies and pairs figure skating. We take a look at this competition, as well as the men's event, to learn just how different this Olympic sport was back in the day when Austria was a powerhouse (let's just say it doesn't include ice set on a specific Pantone color base). 

The competition features Olympic and figure skating legend Sonja Henie in her first Olympics. Entries also include many people who were influential to the history of the sport.

Check out this video, which features Henie, Gillis Grafstrom and Herma Planck-Szabo: https://youtu.be/pIz-cDy7sv8?si=k2PkYJhtecpGeHJ_

Source list:

OlyMADmen

https://olymadmen.com/editions/29/sports/FSK

https://olymadmen.com/results/12622

 

Olympedia

https://www.olympedia.org/results/12598

 

Olympics.com

https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/chamonix-1924/results/figure-skating

 

CBC

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/2.722/1924-chamonix-france-1.812439

 

Skateguard blog

https://www.skateguardblog.com/2015/02/the-gillis-grafstrom-story-part-one.html

 

Science Friday

https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/history-ice-skates/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

 

Photo credit: IOC

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Keep the Flame Alive: Games History Moment with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown is released monthly. In 2024, these episodes explore the first Winter Olympic Games at Chamonix, France in 1924. Look for our regular episodes every week, with daily editions during the Olympics and Paralympics.

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