HistoryData
sports1936

Ice hockey at the 1936 Winter Olympics — 1936 edition of the ice hockey tournament during the Olympic Winter Games

February 1, 1936

Great Britain ended Canada's four-game Olympic gold medal streak by winning the 1936 Olympic ice hockey tournament, simultaneously claiming the World and European Championships.

Quick Facts

Year
1936
Category
sports

Key Facts

Gold medalist
Great Britain
Olympic edition
5th Olympic ice hockey championship
World Championship edition
10th World Championships
European Championship edition
21st European Championships
Canada's streak ended
4 consecutive prior Olympic gold medals
Tournament start date
February 1, 1936

By the Numbers

5
Olympic edition
10
World Championship edition
21
European Championship edition
4
Canada's streak ended

Location

Map of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GermanyMap of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GermanyGarmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Canada had dominated Olympic ice hockey since the sport's introduction, winning four consecutive gold medals. Great Britain, fielding a competitive national team, entered the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, as a significant underdog but with enough talent to challenge Canada's long-standing supremacy in the sport.

Event

The men's ice hockey tournament at the 1936 Winter Olympics saw Great Britain defeat Canada and claim the gold medal, in what was widely considered a major upset. The tournament also served as the tenth Ice Hockey World Championships and the 21st European Championships, making it a triple-title event contested simultaneously.

Consequence

Great Britain became the first nation to win the Olympic, World, and European ice hockey championships in the same year, and the first to claim all three titles simultaneously. Canada's reign as unbeaten Olympic champion was broken, reshaping the perceived hierarchy of international ice hockey at the time.

Result

Great Britain
vs
Canada

at Garmisch-Partenkirchen Olympic venues

First team to win Olympic, World, and European Championships in the same year; first to end Canada's Olympic gold streak

Timeline Context

Timeline around 19361936193319341935193719381939Water polo at the 1936 Summer Olympics — water polo at the OlympicsRowing at the 1936 Summer Olympics — rowing regattaSpanish Revolution — workers' social revolutionSwimming at the 1936 Summer Olympics — swimming events at the OlympicsBasketball at the 1936 Summer Olympics — international basketball tournamentHandball at the 1936 Summer Olympics — overview of handball practiced at the 1936 Olympic Summer GamesAthletics at the 1936 Summer Olympics — athletics events at the 1936 Summer Olympics1936 Summer Olympics medal tableice-hockey-at-the-1936-winter-olympics-1936-edition-of-the-1936