Often considered to be the precursor to biathlon, military patrol was one of the more unusual competitions of the first Winter Olympic Games at Chamonix, France in 1924.
In this event, teams from six countries competed in a 30-kilometer ski race combined with a shooting segment that involved balloons. The weather and some unforeseen illnesses made it tough for the competitors, but one did emerge victorious.
Of course, it wouldn't be an Olympics without some colorful characters, and from this competition that includes Vaino Bremmer, the Finnish officer who competed in modern pentathlon in the 1924 Summer Olympics and was known for his aviation exploits.
Sources:
olympics.com
https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/chamonix-1924/results/military-patrol/military-patrol-men
https://olympics.com/en/news/switzerland-land-military-patrol-gold
Olympedia
https://www.olympedia.org/results/1615
Inside the Games
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1118962/fact-of-the-day-mens-military-patrol
CBC Sports
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/2.722/1924-chamonix-france-1.812439
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
https://en.chamonix.com/espace-pro-presse/1924-les-premiers-jeux-olympiques-d-hiver
For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.
Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!
***
Keep the Flame Alive: Games History Moment with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown is released monthly. In 2024, these episodes explore the first Winter Olympic Games at Chamonix, France in 1924. Look for our regular episodes every week, with daily editions during the Olympics and Paralympics.
Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support
Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod
Hang out with us online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod
Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod
X: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod
Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flamealivepod
Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod
VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
Episode 193: Ben Ryan on Rugby Sevens
Episode 192: McKenna Geer on Para Shooting
Episode 191: Olympic Gold Medalist Michelle Carter on Shot Put
Episode 190: Film Buff Fran on Foxcatcher
Episode 189: Olympic Gold Medalist Ginny Thrasher on Rifle Shooting
Episode 188: Paralympian Sydney Collier on Para Dressage
Episode 187: Ginny Fuchs on Boxing and OCD
Episode 186: Book Club Claire and Jason Bryant on "Foxcatcher"
Episode 185: Olympic Gold Medalist Connor Fields on BMX Racing
Episode 184: Olympian Evan Dunfee on Race Walking Pt. 2
Episode 183: Evan Dunfee on Race Walking - Part 1
Episode 182: Olympian and Coach Laura Berg on Softball
Episode 181: Olympic Equestrian Phillip Dutton on Eventing
Episode 180: Team USA's Dominique Jones on 3x3 Basketball
Episode 179: Stephanie Roble and Maggie Shea on Olympic Sailing's 49erFX Class
Episode 178: Will This Lightning Round Have Spectators?
Episode 177: Will Brisbane Host the 2032 Olympics?
Episode 176: Jordan Gray on Decathlon and Heptathlon
Episode 175: Film Buff Fran on "The Other Side of the Mountain"
Episode 174: Cat Ariail on Passing the Baton
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Coach Carvalho Podcast
From Corner2Corner Podcast
Golf Podcast: next on the tee
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
The MeatEater Podcast