The Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum is showcasing ten significant items that chronicle Estonia's story in winter sports at the Olympics, starting from its debut in 1928.
As the Winter Olympics approach, with events taking place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum delved into its collections to highlight Estonia's history in winter sports. Curator Kaarel Antons selected ten important artifacts that reveal Estonia's journey in the Winter Olympics throughout the 20th century. From February 9 to 20, the museum will present these items, along with various Olympic moments, through Vikerraadio's Olympic minutes each morning.
The roots of Estonia's involvement in the Winter Olympics can be traced back to 1924 when only the Estonian flag was present at the opening ceremony in Chamonix, France, as athletes were unable to participate. It wasn't until the 1928 games in St. Moritz, Switzerland, that Estonia sent two athletes to compete, marking its official debut in the Winter Olympic scene. This illustrates the challenges the nation faced in establishing itself on an international platform in winter sports.
Interestingly, it is important to note that competitive winter sports in Estonia began earlier in ice events rather than skiing disciplines. The collection of the museum not only serves to document the evolution of Estonia's participation in winter Olympics but also presents an opportunity to highlight the rich history and heritage of ice sports in the country, which may have preceded skiing activities historically.
