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First Gold Medal
The first gold medal ever was awarded to Charles Jewtraw of the U.S in the 500-meter spead skate. This started a spark for other athletes to perform in the olympics. -
Great Depression
The Great Depression took its toll as only 27 nations participated making the events less competitive and not as entertaining. -
WWII
The Olympics were not held due to the war. Also the losing countries of the war (Italy, Germany, Japan, Bulgaria, Romania & Hungary) were not invited back to participate. -
Drug Testing
The IOC began testing athletes for performance enhancing drugs. However there was a problem with testing because of the lack of standardization of test procedures which underined the credibiltity of the tests. -
New Countries
A number of newly independent soviet republics, including Georgia, Russia & Ukraine send individual teams to the games. This marks the end of the Unified Team Arrangement. -
Bribery Scheme
Salt Lake City had been awarded to host the games. Soon After it was discvered the organizers had an elaborate scheme to curry with the IOC officials to let them host the games. -
Withdrew Medals
The IOC withdrew all the doped athletes' medals from the games , amending the result lists accordingly. -
Death
Nodar Kmaritashvili of Georgia died during a training runfor the 2010 winter olympics. Some blamed Canadas "Own The Podium" program and Georgia considered wthdrawing from the games. -
Boycott
A number or organization, includong human rights watch, called for a boycott of the 2014 winter olympics due to oppressive and homphobic legislation thta bans gay propoganda including the open acknowlegement of gay identies, display of rainbow flas & PDA between same sex couples. -
Gay Rights
Russia is banning any homosexual PDA, advertisement, etc in the 2014 games. This is being brodcasted all over the media causing disputes between the citizens and government.