Nordic Games

historical international winter sports competition

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July 1, 2026

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The Nordic Games were an international winter sports competition held in Sweden, starting in 1901 and occurring every four years. These games were a precursor to the modern Winter Olympics, which officially began in 1924 in Chamonix, France. The Nordic Games initially included only athletes from Scandinavian countries and featured events that would later become staples of the Winter Olympics, such as cross-country skiing and ski jumping. While figure skating and ice hockey were included in the 1908 and 1920 Summer Olympics, the establishment of a separate Winter Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1924 marked a significant step in formalizing winter sports competitions.123

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skiing
Alpine skiing
…Oslo (from 1892) and the Nordic Games (held quadrennially from 1901 to 1917 and 1922 to 1926) to be the only proper representation of the sport of skiing. In 1930, however, the Nordic skiing countries of Norway, Sweden, and Finland finally withdrew their resistance and allowed Alpine events to be…
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…Oslo (from 1892) and the Nordic Games (held quadrennially from 1901 to 1917 and 1922 to 1926) to be the only proper representation of the sport of skiing. In 1930, however, the Nordic skiing countries of Norway, Sweden, and Finland finally withdrew their resistance and allowed Alpine events to be…
Read More

Origins of the Olympic Winter Games
This competition, the Nordic Games, included only athletes from the Scandinavian countries and was held quadrenially in Sweden, beginning in 1901. Figure skating was included in the Olympics for the first time in the 1908 Summer Games in London, although the skating competition was not actually held until…
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This competition, the Nordic Games, included only athletes from the Scandinavian countries and was held quadrenially in Sweden, beginning in 1901. Figure skating was included in the Olympics for the first time in the 1908 Summer Games in London, although the skating competition was not actually held until…
Read More