Olympic Winter Games Lake Placid 1980

Lake Placid 1980

Date13 February - 24 February
CountryUnited States
Athletes1072
Teams37
Events38
Lake Placid 1980

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.

All Medals

Medal Table

See the list of teams and medals won by each.

Lake Placid
1980

Featured Athletes

All Athletes
Gold
Silver
Bronze
  • United States of AmericaUnited States of America
    5G
    -
    -
  • LiechtensteinLiechtenstein
    2G
    1S
    -
  • SwedenSweden
    2G
    -
    -
  • Soviet UnionSoviet Union
    1G
    -
    -
  • Replays from
    Lake Placid 1980

    All Replays
    Lake Placid
    1980

    Discover the Games

    The Brand

    A visual identity is developed for each edition of the Olympic Games.

    Brand

    Brand

    The Medals

    Beginning as an olive wreath, medal designs have evolved over the years.

    Medals

    Medals

    The Mascot

    An original image, it must give concrete form to the Olympic spirit.

    Mascot

    Mascot

    The Torch

    An iconic part of any Olympic Games, each host offers their unique version.

    Torch

    Torch