History & Facts
30 years ago, the community of Lake Placid came together for the second time, making it one of only 3 towns in the world to have twice -hosted a Winter Olympic Games. The little town with the big dreams showed once again that it could claim center stage among the most elite communities in the world. In the midst of the Cold War the 1980 Olympics proved to be a true ice breaker and warmed the hearts of both athletes and fans.
Come celebrate with us in February and travel the path as you walk in the footsteps of our 1980 Olympians. Take home a little bit of the spirit that makes Lake Placid the Winter Sports Capital of the World!
Interesting Facts
- The United States' win over the powerful USSR became known as one of the greatest moments in sport history and rallied the entire American nation in 1980.
- The speed skater, Eric Heiden became the first person in Olympic history to win five individual Gold Medals at one Olympic Games.
- This was the first time fibre optics was used in an Olympic Games and was a first for transmitting network color TV programming.
- Artificial snowmaking had never been used before in Olympic competition. Man-made snow was used in all the skiing events for the 1980 Games.
- The Athletes Olympic Village became a Federal Correctional Institution after the Games.
- Lake Placid's high school was used as the Press Center and it is the only high school in the US to hold a liquor license. There were 3 lounges located in the building.
USA Medal Athletes
| Mens Skiing Slalom | Silver, Phil Mahre (USA) |
| Women Skating | Silver, Linda Fratianne (USA) |
| Men Skating | Bronze, Charles Tickner (USA) |
| Ice Hockey | Gold, USA |
| Speed Skating Women | |
| 500 M | Silver Leah Mueller (USA) |
| 1000 M | Silver Leah Mueller (USA) |
| 3000 M | Bronze Beth Heiden (USA) |
| Speed Skating Men | |
| 500 M | Gold, Eric Heiden (USA) |
| 1000 M | Gold, Eric Heiden (USA) |
| 1500 M | Gold, Eric Heiden (USA) |
| 5000 M | Gold, Eric Heiden (USA) |
| 10,000 M | Gold, Eric Heiden (USA |
Wild and Wacky World of Sports Artifacts
A presentation on History of Olympic Artifacts. download>
