The Winter Olympic Games started in 1924 in Chamonix, France. It held once in every four years but it once interrupted by World War II. No games were held in 1940 and 1944 but it again resumed in 1948. These events contain of five categories, which were then subdivided into nine. The Winter Olympic Game and the Summer Olymapic Games were held together till 1986, when a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) schedule the two games separate held on every four-year of intervals. To achieve this, the Winter Olympic Games were held in 1992 and 1994.
Winter Olyampic Game Evolution The sports and events included in the Winter Olympic Games have grown and changes over the year. For example many games added later to Winter Olympic Games. Like freestyle skiing,snowboarding, skeleton and many other games. Some games such as curling and bobsleigh, were first removed but later restored due to renewed interest and support. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) found a major funding sources by expanding of television rights,sponsorships and other advertising source.At the same time, the International Olympic Committee had to manage issues related to performance enhancing drugs, organizational misconduct, and political boycotting.
Athlete Participation and Nation Performance By 2017, twelve nations had maintained consistently sent athletes to the Winter Olympic Games, and half of these countries have secured medals at every times. The United States is the only country that secure to win a gold medal in every Winter Olympic Game. However, Norway rank first in terms of most gold medals won, as well as overall medal standings. Some countries, including Japan and Germany have been banned from participating in the Winter Olympic Games, especially in the post-war period. German ice hockey player Alois Schloder was the first athlete caught using prohibited substances after the IOC introduced random drug tests in 1967. As a result, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) introduced an independent body whose main purpose was to fight against the use of steroids. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was established in the month of November 1999, which enforces strict penalties against drug use in sports.
