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 266: Film Buff Fran on "The Cutting Edge"
Episode 265: Izzy Cerullo on LA 2028
Episode 264: Visiting the Atlanta 1996 Archives
Episode 263: Lightning Round with Rob Snoek, Sydney Collier and McKenna Geer
Episode 262: Book Club Claire on "Snowball's Chance"
Episode 261: Paris 2024 Travel with Ken Hanscom
Episode 260: Ryan Shane on Short Track Speed Skating
Episode 259: Gymnastics Choreography with Nicole Langevin
Episode 258: Terrence Burns on Bidding for the Olympics
Episode 257: Terrence Burns on the Development of Olympic Sponsorship
Episode 256: Film Buff Fran on "Race"
Episode 255: Blake Hughes on Ski Jumping
Episode 254: Paralympian Louise Sugden on Para Powerlifting
Episode 253: Book Club Claire on Abdi's World
Episode 252: Athletics Lightning Round
Episode 251: "The Magnificent Seven" Creators Gordon Leary & Julia Meinwald
Episode 250: Film Buff Fran on "One Light, One World"
Episode 249: Author David Maraniss on Jim Thorpe
Episode 248: Modern Pentathlon with Jo Muir
Episode 247: George Hirthler on Pierre de Coubertin
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Coach Carvalho Podcast
From Corner2Corner
Golf Podcast: next on the tee
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
The MeatEater Podcast