Winter Olympics quiz questions: ice, snow and sporting glory

The Winter Olympics brings together the world's best athletes in sports ranging from figure skating to bobsled. Whether you're a dedicated fan or just tune in for the curling, here are eight questions to test your knowledge of the Games.

The questions

1The first Winter Olympics were held in 1924 in which French town, famous for its ski resort at the foot of Mont Blanc?

Answer:Chamonix(click to reveal)

Originally called "International Winter Sports Week," it was retroactively designated as the first Winter Olympics.

2Which Scandinavian country has won the most Winter Olympic medals of all time?

Answer:Norway(click to reveal)

Norway leads with over 400 total medals. Their dominance in cross-country skiing and biathlon accounts for a significant portion.

3Has any country in the Southern Hemisphere ever hosted the Winter Olympics?

Answer:No (no Southern Hemisphere country has hosted)(click to reveal)

All Winter Olympics have been held in the Northern Hemisphere. Australia has bid multiple times but never successfully.

4In which sport do competitors reach speeds of up to 150 km/h while lying face-down on a small sled, going head-first?

Answer:Skeleton(click to reveal)

Unlike luge (feet-first, face-up), skeleton racers go head-first. The sport was named after the bony appearance of the original sleds.

5Which British ice dancers won gold at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics with their famous routine to Ravel's "Boléro"?

Answer:Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean(click to reveal)

They received twelve perfect 6.0 scores, including all nine judges giving 6.0 for artistic impression. The performance remains iconic in figure skating history.

6The biathlon combines cross-country skiing with which other discipline?

Answer:Rifle shooting(click to reveal)

Athletes ski around a course and stop at shooting ranges to hit targets. Missed shots result in time penalties or extra distance.

7In curling, what is the name of the circular target area that teams try to place their stones in?

Answer:The house (also accept "the rings")(click to reveal)

The house consists of four concentric circles. Only stones in the house count for scoring.

8Which country's bobsled team inspired the 1993 film "Cool Runnings" after making their unlikely Olympic debut in 1988?

Answer:Jamaica(click to reveal)

The Jamaican bobsled team competed at the Calgary Olympics despite having no bobsled tradition (or snow). They've competed in multiple Olympics since.

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These questions work well for a sports-themed round or during the Winter Olympics broadcast season.