CANADA - Sports

1988 Olympic Games in Calgary

Officially recognized as the 15^th Winter Olympics Games, they were held in Calgary, Canada from the 13^th to the 28^th of February in 1988 . The Association of Calgary Olympic Development was created in 1957 to prepare as a proper candidate to host the 1964 Olympics and 1968, both without results. Calgary was awarded the 1988 Winter Games at its third nomination by defeating the cities of Falun in Sweden and Cortina Ampezzo in Italy. Canada hosted the Olympic Games for the second time after the Summer Games in 1976 in Montreal and, after eight nominations, its first Winter Games. All sites were located in Calgary to share the Nordic Canmero center, which hosted events and the Nakista station, which received the Alpine skiing competitions. The organizing committee was supported by contributions from the governments of Canada, the Province of Alberta and Calgary to fund the Games. With a broadcasting contract signed by a record amount with the American channel ABC they obtained a profit.

The organizing committee sold over a million and a half tickets for sporting events and ceremonies. This number far exceeded the amount of tickets sold during the previous Winter Games. Sales were open on September 30^th, 1986, and 77.3% of them in Alberta. Requests for tickets were very high for certain events and several controversies erupted during the distribution. Irregularities in sales in the United States by World Tickets were identified. James McGregor, manager of tickets and company owner, was then accused of fraud and theft.

During the Olympic Games, athletes held the Olympic flame when running games.

Biathlon : the 1988 Winter Olympic games took place in the Provincial Park between the 20^th and 16^th of February
Bobsleigh : The bobsleigh competition was held at National Park of Canada , Calgary, between the 20^th and 28^th of February 1988 .
Nordic combined : It took place in and around the National Park of Canada. It was the first time that the team was on the Olympic program. It is also the first time that the Gundersen method was used to convert points into seconds in the Olympic Games.
Ice Hockey :The Ice Hockey Winter Tournament in the Calgary Olympic Games was from the 13^th to the 28^th of February and was won by the USSR team.
Luge: The luge competitions for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games were held at the National Park of Canada in Calgary, between the 14^th and 19^th of February 1988 They were dominated by the Eastern Germany team, earning six medals, including three gold ones.
Figure Skating : Figure Skating Olympic Games were held from the 14th to the 27^th of February in the Olympic Saddledome and Corral Stampe, in Calgary, Canada

LUIS & IBRAHIM