1948 Winter Olympics — 5th edition of Winter Olympics, in Sankt Moritz, Switzerland
The 1948 Winter Olympics were the first Winter Games held after World War II, resuming international competition after a twelve-year gap.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 5th Winter Olympics (V Olympic Winter Games)
- Dates
- 30 January – 8 February 1948
- Participating nations
- 28 nations
- Athletes competed
- nearly 670 athletes
- Events
- 22 events in 4 sports
- Gap since last Winter Games
- 12 years (since 1936)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
World War II caused the cancellation of the 1940 and 1944 Winter Olympics, creating a twelve-year hiatus in Winter Games competition. Post-war resource shortages and the political climate shaped the 1948 host selection, with St. Moritz in neutral Switzerland chosen and Germany and Japan excluded from participation.
The V Olympic Winter Games were held in St. Moritz, Switzerland, from 30 January to 8 February 1948. Twenty-eight nations participated, with nearly 670 athletes competing across 22 events in four sports. Bibi Torriani became the first ice hockey player to recite the Olympic Oath, and notable performances came from figure skaters Dick Button and Barbara Ann Scott and skier Henri Oreiller.
The 1948 Winter Olympics successfully restored the tradition of the Winter Games following the wartime interruption, demonstrating that international sporting competition could resume despite post-war political tensions. Demonstration sport military patrol was later developed into the biathlon, while winter pentathlon was discontinued after these Games.
Result
at St. Moritz, Switzerland (outdoor venues)