Saturday, February 8 , 1992 @ Saturday, February 8 , 1992 XvViWinte OLYMPIAD —XVIWinterOLYNMIPIAD OLYMPICS February 10 The women’s 500-meter speed skating trials and fi- nals highlight the day’s events, with a talented roster of participants including Germany’s duo of Monique Garbrecht and Angela Hauck, both World Sprint champions. American Bon- nie Blair, gold medal winner at Calgary in 1988, should also be near the top. In the men’s luge, the Unit- ed States will be in medal contention with Duncan Kennedy, winner of the 1991 NYNEX Invitational at Lake Placid, N.Y. Ger- many’s Georg. Hackl and Jens Mueller, one-two fin- ishers at the 1988 games, will also be among the top competitors, along with 1991 World Cup champion Markus Prock of Austria and Italy’s Amold Huber. _ Other scheduled events in- clude the men’s 30-kilome- ter cross-country skiing event, men’s combined downhill and the ballet finals of men's and women’s freestyle skiing. (Editor’s Note: The follow- ing is the first in a series of ar- ticles on the history of the Olympics that will appear in conjunction with The News’ special coverage of the Games.) The ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, every four years from at least 776 B.C., until they were banned by Emperor Theodosius in 393 A.D. Originally there was only one race, a sprint, and the prize for the winner was an olive wreath. As time went on, other races were added, as were other sports, including boxing and wrestling. Prizes became more elaborate, and there: were even cases of bribery, corruption and boy- cotts. Inspired by the original, un- corrupted Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin of France conceived the modern Olympic Games. He proposed the idea publicly for the first time in 1892 and then spent the next three and a half years drum- ming up support. Interest was strongest in Greece, so it was decided to pom the first OL ics in 5 "although the quality of the athletes’ performances at the 1896 Athens Games was only Canada’s men’s and women’s Olympic curling teams: (Back L to R) Kevin Martin, skip; Kevin Park a third; Jules Owchar, alternate; Dan Petryk, second and lead Don Bartlett. (Front L to R) Julie Sutton, skip; Jodie Sutton, third; Elaine Dagg-Jackson, alternate; Melissa Saligo, second and lead Karri Wilms. How it all Began 1896 The second Olympic Games were held in de Coubertin’s hometown of Paris in 1900, but they turned out to be a fail- ure. Reduced to a mere ap- pendage to the World Exhibi- tion of that year, the events of the Olympics were spread out over five months. De Coubertin had high hopes for the 1904 Games, which were scheduled for Chicago because Americans had shown such great enthu- siasm for the first two Olympics. However, a dispute broke out between Chicago and St. Louis, which wanted the Games to be held as part of the Louisiana Purchase Exhibi- tion. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt eventually sided with St. Louis, and the Games were moved. The change of cities proved to be an awful mistake, as the St. Louis organizers turned out to be even less competent than the Paris organizers. Most European nations skipped the Games, and not even Baron de Coubertin both- ered to attend. Events were spread out over four and a half months, and some included only U.S. athletes. After two straight disasters the Olympic movement might have died had it not been for the Intercalated (or Interim) 1992 Games of 1906. After the suc- cess of the 1896 Games, the Greeks had hoped to hold their own international games ev- ery four years between Olympics. However the pro- posed Games of 1898 had to be cancelled because of political and economic upheaval, and the 1902 Games weren’t even considered. By 1906, though, the Greeks were ready to try again. Although de Coubertin opposed the Intercalated Games, they were quite suc- cessful. These Games are con- sidered unofficial by the Inter- national Olympic Committee. The 1908 Games had been planned for Rome, but the Ital- ians backed out for financial reasons, and the Games were then awarded to London. ; In London, most of the events were held in Shepherd’s Bush Stadium, which included OLYMPICS February 11 The essence of the Winter games is dramatized by the grace and beauty of the pairs figure skating competition. Current world champions: Natalia Mishkutenok and Artur Dmitriev of the Com- monwealth of Independent States, and 1991 World Championships silver medalists Isabelle Brasseur and Lloyd Eisler of Canada hope a solid freestyle pro- gram will lead them to gold. Bronze medalists Natasha Kuchiki and Todd Sand will try to rebound from a disap- pointing showing in the re- cent United States nationals. Also featured in the day's events is the women's 7.5- kilometer biathlon. This first-time Olympic event, which combines cross coun- try skiing and rifle marks- manship, features United States champion Patrice An- derson and world champion Grete Ingeborg of Norway. Other events: first and sec- ond runs of the men's com- bined slalom; women's luge; 90-meter ski jumping for the nordic combined event. Olympic powerhouse, as a cycle track, a running track, a soccer field, a swimming ‘The London Games were basically well organized and produced the first comprehen- sive officia] report. There were, however, nu- merous disputes. The Russians tried to prevent the Finns from displaying the Finnish flag, and the English did the same to the Irish. The competitions were run entirely by the British, which led to protests over the rules by representatives of various countries, including Canada. Fortunately, the 1912 Olympics were held in Stock- holm. Well-organized, the Stockholm Games saw the first use of electronic timing devices and a public address system. : The Swedes refused to allow boxing matches to be held in their. country, which led the 1.0.C. to pass a rule limiting the power of local organizing committees. The success of the 1912 Games helped the Olympic movement survive the inter- ruption that came to be known as World War I. In ancient times, all wars were suspend- ed during the period of the Olympics. In modern times, the reverse has been true. Scheduled for Berlin, the 1916 Olympics were cancelled. (Source: The Complete Book Of the Olympics by © David Wallechinsky) OLYMPICS ~> February 8 The traditional procession of Olympic athletes ushers in a new era of competition as the spectacular opening ceremonies welcome the world to Albertville, France, for the 16th Olympic Winter Games. The impact of dramatic, worldwide political changes will be reflected in these sporting events. The breakup of the Soviet Union is bound to affect medal distribution. since the former Soviet re- publics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will be com- peting as independent coun- tries for the first time in over 50 years; the remaining re- publics will compete for the Commonwealth of Indepen- dent ‘States. A unified Ger- many is expected to be an they field one team for the first time since 1964. The fighting in Yugoslavia has led to uncertainty over that country’s entry into the Olympics, Hockey is the only compe- tition of the day, with a strong Canadian team bat- tling the host French team; Czechoslovakia clashes with Norway and in the final game of the day, the Com- monwealth of Independent States plays Switzerland. Kerrin-Lee Gartner Alain Villiard Michelle McKendry Canadian Alpine Ski Team - Best Results in 1991-92 NAME Brian Stemmle Alain Villiard Edi Podivinsky Cary Mullen Felix Belczyk Kerrin Lee-Gartner Michelle Mckendry Nancy Gee DISCIPLINE Downhill Downhill Downhill Slalom Downhill Downhill Downhill Downhill Downhill Downhill Downhill Super G Downhill Downhill Slalom Downhill Super G G. Slalom Super G Super G DATE 7/12/91 14/12/91 11/01/92 24/11/91 14/12/91 11/01/92 17/01/92 14/12/91 11/01/92 11/01/92 17/01/92 7/12/91 14/12/91 21/12/91 20/01/92 25/01/92 26/01/92 27/01/92 7/12/91 7/12/91 SITE Val D'Isere (Fra) Val Gardena (Ita) Garmisch (Ger) Park City (USA) Val Gardena (Ita) Garmisch (Ger) Kitzbuhel (Aut) Val Gardena (Ita) Garmisch (Ger) Garmisch (Ger) Kitabuhel (Aut) Santa Caterina (Ita) Santa Caterina (Ita) Serre Chevallier (Fra) Piancavallo (Ita) Morzine (Fra) Morzine (Fra) Morzine (Fra) Santa Caterina (Ita) Santa Caterina (Ita) RESULT 16th 18th- 4th 19th 30th 11th 19th 34th 24th 19th 16th Sth 6th 4th 26th 10th 11th 16th 18th 33rd OLYMPICS February 9 The first full day of Olympic competition begins with men’s.downhill skiing from Val d’Isere. World Cup champion Franz Heinzer of Switzerland is the favorite, but he will get plenty of competition from other high- ly regarded downhillers in- cluding Norway's. Atle Skaardal and the United States’ A.J>Kitt. Ski jumpers will soar over the town of Courchevel in the 90-meter competition. In the past, athletes from Fin- land and Norway have domi- nated this event; this time a worldwide contingent led by Austria, Switzerland and Japan has a legitimate shot at the gold. Women speed __ skaters make their first appearance in the 3,000-meter contest. Emese Hunyady of Austria is one of the favorites, with competition coming from a very strong German team. Coverage for the day also includes the pairs original program portion of figure skating, the ballet exhibition heats for freestyle skiing, men’s luge and the women’s 15-kilometer cross-country skiing event. In hockey, Italy faces the United States, Poland meets Sweden, and Finland battles Germany. éb BOBSLED & LUGE fF HOCKEY _ FIGURE SKATING A SPEED SKATING > ae ALPINE & MOGUL SKIING NORDIC SKIING & BIATHLON “a EXHIBITION BALLET/AERIAL CURLING - Sunday 16" Bobsled: Two Man Canada vs. CIS; Czech. vs. Switz.; France vs. Norway Dance Original Set Pattern Men's 1500m Men's Super G Ski Jumping: 120m; Biathlon: Men's 4x7.5km Relay Freestyle Aerial Skiing Finals Monday 17" Finland vs. Italy; Germany vs. Poland; Sweden vs. USA Dance Freestyle Women's 5000m Women's Super G XC: Women's 4x5km Relay; Ski Jumping: 90m Team Nordic Com. Tuesday 1 gm Qualifying Game; Quarterfinals Games 1 and 2 Men's 1000m; Short Track: Heats Men's Giant Slalom XC: Men's 4x10km Team Relay; XC: Nordic Comb. 3x10km Relay Wednesday 19™ Qualifying Game; Quarterfinals Games 3 and 4 Women's Giant Slalom Biathlon: Women's 15km Speed Skiing: Group 2; Curling: Game 3 Thursday 2 om Consolation Games 1 -3 Women's Slalom Biathlon: Men's 20km Curling: 5th-8th Place Games ~ Friday 21° Bobsled: Four Man Consolation Game 4 Semifinal Games 1and2 Women's Freestyle XC: Women's 30km Saturday QOnp Bobsied: Four Man Seventh Place Game; 5th Place Game; Bronze Medal Game Exhibitions XC: Men's 50km Speed Skiing: Finals; Curing: Gold Medal Games Sunday ORR Gold Medal Game *CIS - abbreviation for Commonwealth of Independent States