Squaw Valley 1960

NOCs: 30

Athletes: 665 (144 women, 521 men)

Events: 27

Volunteers: N/A

Media: N/A

Everything is Still to be Done

When Alexander Cushing put forward Squaw Valley's bid to the International Olympic Committee in 1955, the resort did not even exist. He was the only inhabitant and homeowner in the whole place (300km from San Francisco and 1,900m above sea level).

A Definitive Official Anthem

In 1958, the IOC made the decision to adopt the Anthem composed by Spyros Samaras, with words by Kostis Palamas, as the official Olympic Anthem. Following this decision, for the Olympic Winter Games, it was first played in Squaw Valley. The Anthem had originally been composed for the celebration of the Games of the I Olympiad that took place in Athens in 1896.

The Return to a Symbolic Nordic Flame

A symbolic Nordic flame was again lit in the hearth of the Morgedal House in Norway, birthplace of Sondre Norheim, the great pioneer of modern skiing. From there, it was sent across the Atlantic and on to Squaw Valley by torch relay.

Ceremonies

February 1960, Squaw Valley. The Olympic Flame and the "Tower of the Nations".

Official Opening of the Games by:

U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon

Lighting the Olympic Flame by:

Kenneth Charles (Ken) Henry (1952 Olympic champion in 500m speed skating)

Olympic Oath by:

Carol Heiss (figure skating)

Officials' Oath by:

The officials' oath at an Olympic Winter Games was first sworn in 1972 at Sapporo.