Winter Olympics History: The Lost Games of 1940 and 1944
The history of the Winter Olympics is marked by moments of triumph and athletic excellence, but it also contains a turbulent period where global conflict and diplomatic disputes erased entire Games from the calendar. The years surrounding the 1940 and 1944 editions serve as a stark reminder of how geopolitical instability can halt the world's greatest sporting events.
The Turbulent Road to the 1940 Games
The journey to organize the fifth edition of the Winter Olympics was fraught with complications. In March 1936, Sapporo was selected as the host city, with the event scheduled for February 3–12, 1940. However, following the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, Japan returned the Games to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in July 1938.
The IOC subsequently awarded the Games to St. Moritz, Switzerland, which had previously hosted in 1928. This arrangement also failed due to a disagreement over amateurism. The Swiss organizers argued that ski instructors should not be classified as professionals, a stance the IOC rejected, leading to the withdrawal of the Games once again.
War and Cancellation
In June 1939, the IOC gave the 1940 Winter Olympics—now rescheduled for February 2–11—to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. However, the onset of World War II made the event impossible. On September 1, Germany invaded Poland, triggering the European theatre of the war, and the Winter Games were officially cancelled in November.
The cycle of cancellation continued into the next quadrennial. The 1944 Games, which had been awarded to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, in 1939, were cancelled in 1941 as the global conflict intensified.
Eventually, the Olympic spirit returned to these regions in the post-war era. St. Moritz hosted the first post-war games in 1948, and Cortina d'Ampezzo finally welcomed the Games in 1956.
Germany's Subsequent Bids
Since hosting in 1936, Germany has not held the Winter Olympics. The nation has made several attempts to bring the event back to its soil, but these bids were unsuccessful. On October 16, 1986, Berchtesgaden lost the bid for the 1992 Winter Games to Albertville, France. More recently, on July 6, 2011, Munich lost the bid for the 2018 Winter Games to Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Key Facts
- Sapporo was the first city selected for the 1940 Games before returning them in 1938.
- The 1940 Games were shifted three times: from Sapporo to St. Moritz, then to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, before final cancellation.
- The 1944 Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo were cancelled in 1941.
- Germany has not hosted a Winter Olympics since 1936.
- St. Moritz (1948) and Cortina d'Ampezzo (1956) eventually hosted post-war Games.
| Scheduled Year | Proposed/Awarded Host(s) | Outcome | Reason for Cancellation/Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | Sapporo, St. Moritz, Garmisch-Partenkirchen | Cancelled | War and professional status disputes |
| 1944 | Cortina d'Ampezzo | Cancelled | World War II |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the 1940 Winter Olympics cancelled?
The 1940 Games were cancelled primarily due to the outbreak of World War II following Germany's invasion of Poland in September 1939.
Why did Japan give back the 1940 Games?
Japan returned the Games to the IOC in July 1938 following the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937.
What caused the dispute between the IOC and St. Moritz?
The conflict arose because Swiss organizers believed ski instructors should not be considered professionals, a view the IOC did not share.
When did Cortina d'Ampezzo eventually host the Winter Olympics?
After the 1944 Games were cancelled, Cortina d'Ampezzo eventually hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956.
Has Germany hosted the Winter Olympics since 1936?
No, Germany has not hosted since 1936, having lost bids in Berchtesgaden (1992) and Munich (2018).