Winter Olympic Games

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Participating Countries: Soviet Union (USSR)

Here is information about the Soviet Union / USSR at the Winter Olympic Games, and the performances of Soviet athletes. The USSR disbanded in 1991. In nine appearances at the Winter Olympic Games from 1956, the USSR was ranked first in the medal count seven times and second twice. At Albertville in 1992, athletes from the old USSR competed as the Unified Team, which finished second on the medal tally. See also about Russia and Georgia.

• In 1956, the Soviet Union (USSR) participated in its first ever Winter Olympics, and were able to take home the most medals, including the gold medal in ice hockey.

• In Squaw Valley 1960, The Soviets ended up with more than twice as many medals as their closest rivals, the Americans.

• The USSR ice hockey team won its fourth straight gold medal at Innsbruck in 1976.

• In 1980 at Lake Placid, the USA ice hockey team pulled off an upset victory over the heavy favorites USSR in the match now called the 'Miracle on Ice'. (see video)

Related Pages

• see about Georgia at the Olympics.
• more Winter Olympics Countries
• Winter Olympics main page.
• about Sport in Russia