The 1932 Winter Olympics, officially known as the III Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event in the United States, held in Lake Placid, New York. The games opened on February 4 and closed on February 15. It was the first of four Winter Olympics held in the United States; Lake Placid hosted again in 1980.
At the 1936 Winter Olympics, four speed skating events were contested. The competitions were held on Tuesday, February 11, 1936, Wednesday, February 12, 1936, Thursday, February 13, 1936, and on Friday, February 14, 1936.
Australia competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. A total number of 24 athletes competed, participating in alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsleigh, cross-country skiing, figure skating, freestyle skiing, short-track speed skating and snowboarding, which appeared for the first time at the Olympics. Freestyle skiers Kirstie Marshall and Jacqui Cooper were some of Australia's best gold medal hopes, but both missed the aerials finals. Zali Steggall won Australia's first individual Winter Olympics medal, gaining bronze in slalom.
Australia's second Winter Olympic Games appearance was at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway. It was 16 years since Australia's last Winter Games, as the 1940 and 1944 Winter Olympics were cancelled, and Australia did not compete in the 1948 Winter Olympics. Australia sent nine athletes and competed in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating and speed skating. Nancy Hallam and Gweneth Molony were Australia's first women athletes at the Winter Olympics.
Australia competed in the Winter Olympic Games for the third time at the 1956 Winter Olympics at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Australia sent 10 athletes that competed in alpine skiing, figure skating and speed skating.
Australia competed at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, United States. This was the first and last time Australia competed in ice hockey and nordic combined. While ice hockey gave Australia its only top ten finish in this games, the team lost all of their matches, conceding double-digit goals. Australia also competed in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and figure skating, where Mervyn Bower and Jacqueline Mason came twelfth in the pairs event.
Australia competed at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. Three athletes were sent, and Australia competed in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and speed skating.
Australia competed at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. Colin Coates' sixth place in 10000 metres speed skating was Australia's best result so far at the Winter Olympics.
Speed skating at the 1980 Winter Olympics, was held from 9 February to 18 February. Nine events were contested at James B. Sheffield Olympic Skating Rink.
Australia competed at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Eleven athletes participated, competing in alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, figure skating and speed skating. Australia's best result was 19th in downhill skiing by Steven Lee.
Australia competed at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. 23 athletes competed, participating in alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsleigh, cross-country skiing, figure skating, freestyle skiing, luge, short track speed skating and speed skating. Freestyle skiing and short-track speed skating were medal events for the first time, and Australia has competed in these events in every games since, accounting for five of Australia's six medals. Australia's best result at these games was seventh in the 5000 metres short-track relay.
Australia competed at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.
Michael "Mike" Richmond is a former ice speed skater from Australia, who represented his native country in three consecutive Winter Olympics, starting in 1980 in Lake Placid, United States.
The women's 500 metres in speed skating at the 1980 Winter Olympics took place on 15 February, at the James B. Sheffield Olympic Skating Rink.
The women's 1000 metres in speed skating at the 1980 Winter Olympics took place on 17 February, at the James B. Sheffield Olympic Skating Rink.
The women's 1500 metres in speed skating at the 1980 Winter Olympics took place on February 14, at the James B. Sheffield Olympic Skating Rink.
The women's 3000 metres in speed skating at the 1980 Winter Olympics took place on 20 February, at the James B. Sheffield Olympic Skating Rink.
The Olympic Center is a sports complex in Lake Placid, New York that acted as the Olympic Park for both the 1932 and the 1980 Winter Olympics.
