Photos: The 1932 Olympic Winter Games In Lake Placid

Norway’s Johan Gröttumsbraaten was the winner of the combined ski event, an 18-km cross country race followed by the ski jump.

The gold-medal United States four-man bobsled team. Billy Fiske, the driver, died in 1940 from combat injuries sustained while flying for the RAF during the Battle of Britain. Eddie Eagan, in the second seat, is the only person to have won a gold medal in both the winter and summer Olympic Games. Eagan won the light-heavyweight boxing gold in 1920.

IOC President Count de Baillet-Latour and New York Governor Franklin Delano Roosevelt were among the dignitaries at the opening of the 1932 Olympic Winter Games. Roosevelt was elected President of the United States nine months later.

The Olympic Stadium, built at a cost of $155,879.77, was the site of speed skating, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, some hockey games, and the start and finish of the 18-km cross country ski race and sled dog competitions.

Japanese speed skaters. Japan was the only Asian nation to send athletes to the 1932 Olympic Winter Games.

Straightaway on the Mt. Van Hoevenberg bobsled run. Built by 100 men in three months, the run cost $215,000.

Sonja Henie of Norway won the women’s figure skating. Henie won three Olympic championships (1928, 1932, 1936) before starring in several Hollywood movies and producing her own ice skating shows.

Sled dog racing was a demonstration sport in 1932. Alaska’s Leonard Seppala and his dogs finished second. The field of 13 drivers included one woman, Eva Seeley of Wonalancet, NH.

Michigan versus Quebec in the demonstration sport of curling. Eight teams representing U.S. states and Canadian provinces competed, with Manitoba winning the tournament.

Canada defeats the United States, 2-1, in the opening game of the ice hockey tournament. Canada went on the win the gold medal; the US took silver. Until 1998, only men played ice hockey in the Olympic Winter Games.

Feeding station at halfway point of the 50-km cross country race, won by Finland’s Veli Saarinen in 4 hours, 28 minutes.

American skier Norton Billings drinks from a stream during the 50-km cross country race. Alpine skiing was not an Olympic sport in 1932. It joined the Olympic program in 1948 in St. Moritz.

Women’s speed skating was a demonstration event in 1932. Canadian Jean Wilson won the 500 meters. Americans Elizabeth Dubois and Kit Klein won the 1000-meter and 1500-meter races.

A map of Lake Placid depicting the village streets and sports venues. Lodging costs ranged from “$4 a day at the smaller cottages to $15 a day for the best rooms at the larger hotels.”

Cover of booklet published by the III Olympic Winter Games Committee outlining plans, facilities and budget for the 1932 Winter Games. In 1932, Lake Placid was a 12-hour train or automobile ride from New York City. Today it is a 5-hour drive.