1932 Summer Olympics

The 1932 Summer Olympics were a big international sports event held in Los Angeles, California, United States from July 30 to August 14, 1932. These Games happened during a difficult time called the Great Depression, when many people had very little money. Because of this, some countries could not send their athletes to Los Angeles. Fewer countries competed in these Games compared to the 1928 Games in Amsterdam.

The event was organized by a local sports fan and real estate developer named William May Garland. Despite the tough economic times, the 1932 Summer Olympics brought together athletes from many nations to compete in exciting sports.

The host city for the 1932 Summer Olympics was chosen in Rome, Italy, on April 9, 1923. Only one city, Los Angeles, wanted to host the Games. Because no other cities wanted to host, Los Angeles was chosen.

The 1932 Summer Olympics were supported by local businesses and a special vote by people in the area. The games were paid for partly by a special vote called "Proposition 2" in 1928. Many cars helped people get around during the Olympics. Buses took athletes from their housing to the places where they competed, and police helped manage traffic. The games used places that already existed to save money, like parks and roads. Only one new place, the Swimming Stadium, was built just for these Olympics.

The emblem for the 1932 Summer Olympics was designed by Henry E. Huntington. It showed the coat of arms of the United States with the Olympic rings. The Olympic motto was "Citius, Altius, Fortius," meaning "Faster, Higher, Stronger."

An Olympic mascot, a Scottish Terrier named Smoky, appeared for the first time. The games had help from local companies and Hollywood. Brands like Coca-Cola gave out small athlete figures.

A total of 37 nations took part in the 1932 Games. Colombia joined the Olympics for the first time. The Republic of China also competed for the first time after trying in the 1924 Games.

The 1932 Olympics had 117 events in 20 areas, covering 14 sports. In one equestrian jumping event, no medals were given. Some of the sports included Athletics, Boxing, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Field hockey, Gymnastics, Modern pentathlon, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Weightlifting, Wrestling, and Aquatics with Diving, Swimming, and Water polo.

The opening ceremony had more than 100,000 people. There was a big orchestra and a choir. The head of the organizing committee spoke, and then the Vice President opened the games. The ceremony lasted two hours. About 2,000 athletes, coaches, and officials from 37 nations were there. There were also 800 journalists.

In athletics, Babe Didrikson won two gold medals in the javelin and the hurdles event. Eddie Tolan won both the 100 m and 200 m sprint events. Poland's Stanisława Walasiewicz won the gold medal in the women's 100 m.

The 1932 Summer Olympics had a big impact on Los Angeles and sports around the world. The Coliseum and the Rose Bowl were used again for the 1984 Summer Olympics and will host events in the 2028 Summer Olympics too. These venues will be the first stadiums to host three different Olympic Games.

The 1932 Games introduced new ideas that changed the Olympics. For the first time, an Olympic Village was built to house athletes, and the famous victory podium was used. Stopwatches and photo finish cameras made timing in competitions much more accurate. Tenth Street in Los Angeles was renamed Olympic Boulevard to honor these Games.