HistoryData
sports1964

Ice hockey at the 1964 Winter Olympics — 1964 edition of the ice hockey tournament during the Olympic Winter Games

January 1, 1964

The Soviet Union claimed its second Olympic ice hockey gold while Canada, for the first time, failed to medal in Olympic ice hockey history.

Quick Facts

Year
1964
Category
sports

Key Facts

Olympic Championship edition
10th Olympic ice hockey championship
Also served as
31st World Championships and 42nd European Championships
Gold medalist
Soviet Union (2nd Olympic gold)
Canada's finish
4th place — first time without a medal
Canada's coach
Father David Bauer (first purpose-built national team)
Venue
Olympiahalle Innsbruck

By the Numbers

10
Olympic Championship edition
31
Also served as
2
Gold medalist
4
Canada's finish

Location

Map of Innsbruck, AustriaMap of Innsbruck, AustriaInnsbruck, Austria

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

The 1964 Winter Olympics provided the occasion for the tenth Olympic ice hockey tournament, held in Innsbruck, Austria. Canada participated for the first time with a purpose-built national team organized and coached by Father David Bauer, a departure from the country's previous practice of sending club teams to represent the nation.

Event

The Soviet Union dominated the tournament at the Olympiahalle Innsbruck, winning gold and claiming its fourth World Championship title. Canada remained competitive for the gold medal until the final day but lost to the Soviets and was ultimately denied even a bronze medal, finishing fourth in what was also the 31st World Championships and 42nd European Championships.

Consequence

The Soviet Union reinforced its dominance in international ice hockey with its second Olympic title and eighth European Championship. Canada's failure to win a medal for the first time in Olympic ice hockey history marked a watershed moment, signaling the growing gap between Soviet state-supported hockey and other nations' programs.

Result

Soviet Union
Soviet Union Gold; Canada 4th
Canada

at Olympiahalle Innsbruck

First time Canada failed to win a medal in Olympic ice hockey

Timeline Context

Timeline around 196419641961196219631965196619671964 World Men's Handball Championship — 1964 edition of the World Men's Handball ChampionshipFootball at the 1964 Summer Olympics — association football played at the 1964 Summer Olympics1964 Winter Olympics — 9th edition of Winter Olympics, Innsbruck, AustriaVolleyball at the 1964 Summer Olympics — volleyball at Summer Olympics1964 Formula One season — sports seasonAthletics at the 1964 Summer Olympics1964 AFC Asian Cup — football tournament1964 Summer Olympics medal tableice-hockey-at-the-1964-winter-olympics-1964-edition-of-the-1964