In this week’s publication of This Week in Olympic Sports History, we will revisit some significant sports events from April 22-28.
Ice hockey, a sport commonly associated with winter, made its debut at the Olympic Games in Antwerp on April 23, 1920. Despite its current status as a Winter Olympics staple, its initial appearance established the foundation for the sport’s popularity.
During the inaugural hockey tournament, teams participated in the Bergvall System, with seven players per side. Canada emerged as the dominant force, effortlessly securing the gold medal. The Winnipeg Falcons, champions of the national amateur championship, claimed Canada’s first of nine gold medals in the men’s competition.
The success of the tournament paved the way for ice hockey’s permanent inclusion in the Winter Olympics, beginning from 1924 onwards. This significant occurrence, advocated by IOC founder Pierre de Coubertin, acted as a catalyst for the sport’s future in the Olympic Games.
In the realm of women in sports, Donna De Varona, born on April 26, 1947, has been a prominent advocate for women’s rights in the athletic world. Her remarkable career as a swimming champion was punctuated by numerous accomplishments, including winning gold at the Rome Olympics in 1960 at the tender age of 13 and setting 18 world records in just four years.
Following her retirement, De Varona continued to leave an impact by promoting women’s sports and amateur sports in general. She championed gender equality and made history as the first female sportscaster to cover the Olympic Games on television. Her efforts extended to legislative involvement, as she played a pivotal role in the development of the U.S. Amateur Sports Act and advocated for Title IX, ensuring gender equality in educational programs.
As we conclude this edition of This Week in Olympic Sports History, we encourage you to stay tuned to Olympics.com for more sports and Olympic history in the upcoming weeks.