The Winter Olympics That Almost Failed During the Great Depression

On February 4, 1932, the Winter Olympics opened in Lake Placid, New York, at the height of the Great Depression — and nearly collapsed before they began. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, Amy explores the true stories behind the smallest Winter Olympics ever held: athletes who paid their own way, competitors housed in local homes, events delayed by weather shortages, controversial rule changes, and a town that held a global event together through improvisation and perseverance. This strange but true history reveals how one fragile Olympics quietly shaped traditions still used today.

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