Winter Olympics at Squaw 1960...
When the sun is gleefully present and warm. When you have a published Squaw Olympic expert willing to spend the day sharing his knowledge freely with you. When you have two friends who are up for pretty much anything and you throw in Walt Disney-
You have the makings of an extremely awesome day.
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| 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. We learned how much work went into getting the bid. So very interesting! |
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| David Antonucci's two-hour tour took us on a walking exploration of various Olympic venues and sites in the base area of Squaw Valley. We visited the Olympic Village Lodge (athlete's housing), California and Nevada Welcome Centers, as well as race courses, the site of Blyth Arena, ski jump hill remnants, IBM computer building (first time using computers to tabulate), media center, and other historic sites. David recounted incredibly interesting stories of the epic competition at the athletic venues. |
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| As we strolled the village, we kept feeling like we were in an adult Disneyland. It had this magical aura to it and we were so happy to just be there. |
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| So the biggest surprise was that it really was Disneyland. In 1959, Walt Disney was asked to chair the Pageantry Committee for these Olympics, creating the opening and closing ceremonies that broke the mold—and set
the gold standard for Olympic Games to come. A reporter wrote, “The opening ceremony was the most remarkable thing I ever saw. No matter how much credit you give Walt Disney and his organization, it isn’t really enough." It stands to reason that a production spearheaded by Walt and his team would make an impression—but Walt’s reach during the 1960 Winter Games didn’t stop at the ceremonies. Walt entertained athletes with the first film festival during an Olympics… and Art Linkletter brought in live performers for the first time in Olympics history. The legendary Danny Kaye even traveled to Squaw Valley to make an appearance. Walt even had a hand in decorating the Olympic Village which is why it still feels "Disney-like" to us, 53 years later. |
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| This was an Olympic event of FIRSTS. This was the first time there was ever a bidding war for television rights. CBS won with a bid of $50,000. The first instant replay happened when officials became unsure as to whether a skier had missed a gate
in the men's slalom and they asked CBS-TV if they could review a videotape
of the race. This gave CBS the idea of inventing the now ubiquitous
"instant replay".
Men's biathlon and women's speed skating made their Olympic debuts. Frenchman Jean Vuarnet (sunglasses fame) became the first skier to win a medal on composite skis, instead of the traditional wooden ones. Here is a great video overview of the actual event. |
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| After filling our heads with interesting knowledge, we decided to sit, gazing at the slopes, and fill our stomachs as well. The information was almost overwhelming... in a good way! |
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| There were sweet sights to be seen throughout the village. |
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The
Olympics are a wonderful metaphor for world cooperation,
the kind of
international competition that's wholesome and healthy,
an interplay
between countries that represents the best in all of us.
~John Williams
1 comments:
Well, it isn't the Japanese Olympics but it will have to do. :) How fun that Disney was involved. It did get me thinking. Maybe instead of Fred dreaming of being in the Olympics (even if it is the senior Olympics!) he should dream of hosting a game instead.
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