Arts and Culture

Preserving Olympic Memories Before Evidence Is Erased

KUNR Public Radio | By Holly Hutchings

Published September 14, 2018 at 6:01 AM PDT

Banners that once hung in Olympic facilities and arenas as part of the 1960 games now hover overhead as visitors walk through the Truckee Community Rec Center.

An exhibit paying homage to the 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympics is on display at the Truckee Community Recreation Center. Everything from vintage uniforms and rarely seen photography to illustrations by Walt Disney --a huge fan of skiing--are also showcased. The memorabilia are some of the last remaining vestiges of a games that changed winter sports and the Tahoe-Truckee region. Our arts reporter Holly Hutchings visited the exhibit and talked with one avid Olympic collector and author to learn more.

In what feels like a race against time, connoisseurs of Squaw Olympic memorabilia are pulling together mementos of the nearly 60 years ago event and wanting to showcase them to the world. Collector David Antonucci said it is important to raise awareness of what was once here before time and environmental factors chip away at what’s left.

Illustrations hang on the wall of the community center. They were done by Walt Disney, who was eager to share his knowledge of promotion and planning. Disney was also an avid skier. — Illustrations done by Walt Disney, who was eager to share his knowledge of promotion and planning. Disney was also an avid skier.

“Blyth Arena collapsed under snow load, which was a great loss to the community. Bit by bit we’re losing buildings, due to deterioration and that Squaw Valley is developing a new base area," Antonucci said. "At some point in the future you could go into Squaw Valley and see no evidence that there was ever an Olympics there.”

A photo of Walt Disney is on display as part of the exhibit. A huge skier and lover of California, Disney was very involved with many steps of the Olympics.

The town just outside Lake Tahoe never set out to get the Olympics. It was Reno that petitioned for them, but as a part of a publicity stunt, resort owner Alexander Cushing submitted a bid and was awarded the honor. Adding further prestige, Walt Disney was actively involved in preparations and publicity, wanting to share his love of both California and the sport of skiing. The Olympics in Squaw Valley also marked the first time the games were televised in the US.

Flags of participating countries line the ceiling at the community center in Truckee. The long hallway is full of pieces of memorabilia, old magazines, pins and more from the '60 games.

Part of a uniform worn by an official at the games rests inside a glass case at the Truckee Community Recreation Center. — Part of a uniform worn by an official at the games.

In all, 30 nations participated during the height of the Cold War. Antonucci said he remembers these games fondly because they were a unifying force amid global turmoil.

“It’s an iconic play that we can all get along together. There were lots of images of athletes greeting and hugging each other. It became a symbol of world peace," said Antonucci.

Antonucci said he wants to work with other collectors to build a museum that would gather information and artifacts from around the area. Currently, a small slice of the memorabilia is on display at in Truckee. The exhibit runs through September at the Truckee Community Recreation Center.

Inside a display case rests a handful of small flags representing participating countries, as well as an original bib from one of the 1960 Olympics. — Inside a display case rests flags and an original bib from one of the 1960 Olympics.