How often are the Winter Olympics held?

The Winter Olympics are held every four years, as are the Summer Olympics. Until 1992, the Summer and Winter Olympics took place in the same year, but the International Olympic Committee decided to separate the games and hold the Winter Olympics midway between Summer Olympics.

The change in scheduling resulted in Winter Olympics held in 1992 in Albertville, France, and in 1994 in Lillehammer, Norway. The first Winter Olympics took place in January, 1924 in Chamonix, France, and it was called International Winter Sports Week. Sixteen countries participated. American Charles Jewtraw became the first gold medal winner of the Winter Games when he won the 500-meter speed-skating competition.