TURIN, Feb. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- The 8th Winter Olympic Games:

    The 1960 Squaw Valley Games were preceded by a controversy whenthe organizing committee refused to build a bobsled run because only nine nations had indicated an intention to take part. This was the only time that bobsledding was not included in the Olympicprogram. As the Games were held in California, it seemed fitting that the chairman of the Pageantry Committee in charge of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies was none other than Walt Disney. A new sport, biathlon (a combination of cross-country skiing and shooting) was added to the Olympic program. The first race was wonby Klas Lestander of Sweden. Women competed in speed skating for the first time. Male speed skater Yevgeny Grishin gained victoriesin the 500m and the 1,500m, just as he had in 1956. The United States ice hockey team won an unexpected championship, upsetting both Canada and the USSR.

    Numbers:

    30 NOCs

    665 athletes (144 women, 521 men)

    27 eventsEnditem