Winter Olympic Games Olympics, France, would host a separate "International Winter Sports Week" under the patronage of the IOC. Chamonix was chosen to host this "week" (actually 11 days) of events. The Games proved to be a success when more than 250 athletes from 16 nations competed in 16 events. Athletes from Finland and Norway won 28 medals, more than the rest of the participating nations combined. Germany remained banned until 1925, and instead hosted a series of games called Deutsche Kampfspiele, starting with the winter edition of 1922 (which predated the first Winter Olympics). In 1925 the IOC decided to create a
Cross-country skiing at the 1924 Winter Olympics – Men's 18 kilometre the first, then all others starter within 30 seconds. Cross-country skiing at the 1924 Winter Olympics – Men's 18 kilometre The 18 kilometre cross-country skiing event was part of the cross-country skiing at the 1924 Winter Olympics programme. The competition was held on Saturday, February 2, 1924. Forty-one cross-country skiers from twelve nations competed. The competition began at 9:30 a.m. with the first starter Antonín Gottstein. The last starter was Ragnar Omtvedt at 9:55:30 a.m.. The first finisher was Tapani Niku at 10:51:56 a.m. and the event ended with the last finisher, who was again Ragnar Omtvedt at 12:00:33 p.m..