When the world gathered in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in 1948 for the V Olympic Winter Games, it wasn’t just to watch athletes compete in skiing, skating, and bobsledding. It was to witness the rebirth of the Olympic spirit after a devastating world war — a return to peace, international cooperation, and the simple joy of sport.
Known as the “Games of Renewal”, the 1948 Winter Olympics marked the first time the world had come together for Olympic competition since 1936. They were far from grand, but they were full of heart, and they remain one of the most meaningful editions in Olympic history.
A Symbolic Host: St. Moritz
St. Moritz was no stranger to the Olympics. The glamorous alpine town in the Swiss Alps had already hosted the Winter Games in 1928, and its neutrality during both World Wars made it a natural and uncontroversial choice for 1948.
Switzerland had stayed out of the conflict and, critically, had the necessary infrastructure intact. There was little time or money to build new venues after the war, so St. Moritz offered reliability, accessibility, and a peaceful setting — exactly what the world needed.
Austerity, Yet Optimism
Like the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, the St. Moritz Games were held on a shoestring budget. There were no lavish opening ceremonies, no new sports complexes, and minimal accommodation. Athletes stayed in modest hotels or military barracks, and many nations arrived with limited resources and old equipment.
But none of that mattered.
The excitement of competition — and the symbolism of unity — was more powerful than the cold or the scarcity. These Games weren’t about spectacle. They were about reconnection.
Who Came, and Who Didn’t
A total of 28 nations participated, including newcomers like Chile, South Korea, and Lebanon. Notably absent were Germany and Japan, who were not invited due to their roles in World War II.
The Soviet Union was also absent, though it would join future Games starting in 1956. Still, the event featured over 660 athletes, including women in events like figure skating and alpine skiing.
Highlights and Heroes
Some of the standout stories from St. Moritz 1948 include:
- Henri Oreiller of France, a former resistance fighter, who won two gold medals and one bronze in alpine skiing, becoming one of the Games’ biggest stars.
- Barbara-Ann Scott of Canada, who charmed the world and made history by becoming the first Canadian to win Olympic gold in figure skating.
- Dick Button of the United States, who won gold in men’s figure skating and landed the first-ever double Axel in Olympic competition — a leap that changed the sport forever.
- The Swiss bobsleigh teams, who dominated on their home ice, taking both gold and silver in the four-man event.
A Legacy of Peace and Resilience
The 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz didn’t just revive the Games — they helped heal the world. Athletes who had once faced each other on the battlefield now met on the slopes and ice rinks. Flags from dozens of nations flew side by side once again, not in conflict, but in celebration.
And the people of St. Moritz, many of whom had witnessed two World Wars in their lifetime, once again became hosts to history — this time, in the name of peace.
A Quiet Triumph
The 1948 St. Moritz Olympics may not have featured record-breaking television coverage or massive stadiums, but they achieved something far greater: they rekindled the Olympic flame in a world desperate for light.
They proved that sport could be a bridge between nations, even after the deepest divides. And in doing so, they laid the foundation for the modern Olympic movement’s revival.
