Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympics - Athletes, Medals & Results
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- ️Thu Sep 21 2023
Olympic Winter Games Lake Placid 1980
Date13 February - 24 February
CountryUnited States
Athletes1072
Teams37
Events38
About the Games
Artificial Snow
To guarantee that all events took place in the best possible conditions, many snow machines were used to produce artificial snow—the first time this had been done at the Olympic Games.
Slalom Champions
The great Swedish skier Ingemar Stenmark won the giant slalom and the slalom. In both races, he was behind on the first run but came back sensationally on the second. Hanni Wenzel did the same in the women’s races, making her nation, Liechtenstein, the smallest country to produce an Olympic champion.
Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympic Games Legacy
Discover the lasting legacy that this edition of the Olympic Games created for its hosts.
Memorable Champions
Germany’s Ulrich Wehling won the Nordic combined for the third time, and Russian pairs skater Irina Rodnina achieved the same feat in her event. In the biathlon relay, Aleksandr Tikhonov of the USSR earned his fourth straight gold medal, while his compatriot Nikolay Zimyatov earned three gold medals in cross country skiing.
Five Historic Golds
American speed skater Eric Heiden won all five speed skating events from 500m all the way up to 10,000m, setting an Olympic record in every one. He became the first person in Olympic history to win five gold medals in individual events at the same Games.
NOCs: 37
Athletes: 1,072
Events: 38
Volunteers: 6,703
Media: N/A
A Second Time
This was the second time the Games were held in Lake Placid, the first being in 1932.
Ceremonies
February 1980, Lake Placid. Procession of the delegation of Costa Rica (CRC).
Official Opening of the Games by:
Vice President of the United States, Walter Mondale
Lighting of the Olympic Flame by:
Dr Charles Morgan Kerr
Olympic Oath by:
Eric Heiden (speed skating)
Officials' Oath by:
Terry McDermott (speed skating)
Medal Table
See the list of teams and medals won by each.
Lake Placid
1980
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The Brand
A visual identity is developed for each edition of the Olympic Games.Brand
The Medals
Beginning as an olive wreath, medal designs have evolved over the years.Medals
The Mascot
An original image, it must give concrete form to the Olympic spirit.Mascot
The Torch
An iconic part of any Olympic Games, each host offers their unique version.Torch