Curling in the Olympics

Curling made its first appearance on the Olympic program as a medal sport in 1924 in Chamonix, France then returned in 1998 at the Nagano Games.  The 1924 games saw teams from Great Britain, Sweden and France.  Great Britain (Scotland) won the gold medal in 18 end games.  Yes – I said 18 ends!

Curling was a demonstration sport five times: in Lake Placid in 1932, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 1936, in Innsbruck in 1964, in Calgary in 1988 and in Albertville in 1992. Since its re-introduction in 1998, curling has been made up of one women’s and one men’s tournament.

At the 1932 Winter Olympics the venue was the Olympic Indoor Arena in Lake Placid, New York. Eight teams from two countries (4 American teams and 4 Canadian Teams) competed in this event. Only men's curling was contested at these Olympics. The matches were held on February 4 and 5, 1932. Each of the Canadian teams played against each of the American teams – only 16 ends this time.

One of the American teams was from The Detroit Curling Club.  They represented Michigan.  Unfortunately, they lost all four games:  Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec and Northern Ontario.

Skip: George Lawton
Third: Don Fraser
Second: E. R. Palmer
Lead: W. Herb Morley

1932 - Michigan vs. Quebec

The three men facing the camera are the Detroiters

The patches given to the contestants

The "D" is for Demonstration - not Detroit