Canada's Olympic Skiing/Snowboarding Memories

1952 Oslo, Norway

It might appear to have been a belated gesture on the part of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to award the VI Olympic Winter Games for the first time to a Scandinavian country, considered the birthplace of skiing. There was some initial scepticism that Norway could host an event of this magnitude. However, such doubts were quickly dispelled; the organization and venues were excellent and the Games proved to be extremely successful.

In November 1951, the Canadian Olympic ski team was officially named; alpine skiers Bob Richardson, Jack Griffin, André Bertrand, Gordie Morrison, George Merry (alternate), Joanne Hewson, Rhoda Wurtele-Eaves, Rosemarie Schutz, Lucile Wheeler; cross country skiers Claude Richer and Jacques Carbonneau; ski jumpers Jacques Charland and Lucien Laferté.

Known for his flamboyant style, Lucien "Cowboy" Laferté endeared himself to a massive crowd of 150,000 (20% of Norway's population at that time) watching the special jump competition. At the conclusion of his jump which ended in a fall with the loss of both of his skis, Laferté coolly sprang to his feet, smiling and bowing exaggeratedly to each section of the crowd. In a gesture of another kind, Canadian athletes observed fellow countryman Bob Richardson pocketing food at breakfast. They later discovered that he was giving the food to Norwegian children who hung around the Olympic village, as Norway was considered a poor country at the time.

Canadian skiers placed far better than at the previous 1948 Games, finishing much closer to the winners' times, largely due to the coaching skills of Harvey Clifford and Franz Gabl.

Opening date: February 14, 1952
Closing date: February 25, 1952
Candidate cities: Cortina d’Ampezzo (ITA), Lake Placid (USA)

To return to 'Canada's Olympic Skiing/Snowboarding Memories' exhibit, please click here.

For a brief history of the Olympic Games, please click here.

To learn more about the skiing disciplines at the Olympic Winter Games, please click here.