Hi, this is Darlene Franklin, celebrating the release of my
figure skating story, Golden Dreams.
My heroine hopes to compete in the 1932 winter games, held in Lake Placid, New
York.
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| Site of Lake Placid Bobsled Run |
Held during the height of the Great Depression, the games
needed a special leader to make sure they went smoothly. Enter Dr. Godfrey
Dewey of the Lake Placid Club. In addition to bringing the games to his small
town, he also donated land for the bobsled run.
The bobsled event generated a lot of interest. Because
President Hoover couldn’t leave Washington, New York Governor Franklin D.
Roosevelt opened the games. However, Franklin’s wife Eleanor garnered more
attention by accepting a ride—on a bobsled. I’ve always admired Eleanor
Roosevelt, but I never guessed she was a daredevil.
Prominent athlete William Fiske drove the gold-medal winning
bobsled team. The best story goes to
 |
| Eddie Eagan as a boxer |
CBC and NBC broadcast the games by radio and shortwaves
brought them to Europe. With the games so available, public interest grew.
Figure skater Sonja Henie won the second of her three
consecutive gold medals at Lake Placid. All the skating greats who have
followed owe her for the popularity of the sport.
Seventeen nations participated in the 1932 games. The United
States won the medal tally, with a total of twelve. Norway came second, with
ten. Contemporary powerhouses like Japan, Korea and Russia didn’t participate
at all.
Other contests were held in speed skating, Nordic skiing,
and ice hockey, a total of fourteen events. Curling, sled dog racing, and speed
skating for women rounded out the demonstration sports. Sled dog racing was
never repeated—too bad.
If you’re interested in figure skating and the 1932
Olympics, leave a comment below for a chance Golden Dreams.
I am in awe of the athletic abilities shown during the summer and winter olympics. The skill, determination and talent shines through. Figure skating is always one of the events that captures my heart. Their grace and elegance while gliding on thin blades on a floor of ice is mesmerizing. I would love to win this book and how ironic, 1932 was the year my mother was born.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win a copy of this book! It sounds great. I love this time period and Lake Placid, New York. Thanks for the chance to win. Love the interesting facts you've listed above!
ReplyDeletetscmshupe [at] pemtel [dot] net
Elanor Roosevelt is awesome. It's crazy to think that only those few countries participated back then. Fun post!
ReplyDeletelattebooks at hotmail dot com
The Olympics are always fascinating to watch as men and women from around the world compete with such amazing skill and ability. Figure skating is so beautiful and one of my favorite Olympic sports! I can't wait to read about your heroine's story and Lake Placid in 1932! Thank you for sharing this interesting Olympic history and for the opportunity to win a copy of GOLDEN DREAMS!
ReplyDeletetexaggs2000 at gmail dot com
Melanie, my mother was born while the 1932 winter Olympics were being held. :) I even named one the babies born in the book after her, "Anita," who appears in (at least) two more of my Maple Notch books, although she doesn't have a book of her own. I also am in awe of those athletes, and there are so many feel good moments.
ReplyDeleteOh, I adore the Winter Olympics, especially the figure skating. A tale set back in time, artfully woven to include the drama of competition and amour, how fanciful! I'd love to read your story! pudy68 @ gmail . com
ReplyDeleteVery interesting blog on Winter Olympics. First off, I noticed the outfit the man wore in the picture. He looks like a boxer.
ReplyDeleteLove to win GOLDEN DREAMS. Used to watch ice skating and still do when Olympics come on TV. sharon, CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
I only watch the figure skating and gymnastics portions in the Olympics! When I was in elementary school Oklahoma hosted a mini Olympics games called OK89 and my mom got us tickets to one of the figure skating events. I saw Nancy Kerrigan before she was THE Nancy Kerrigan-I even got her autograph!! So yeah, I kinda love figure skating and I would love to win your new book!
ReplyDeletekam110476 (at) gmail (dot) com
I LOVE figure skating and did this sport myself also taught for 27 years from age 18mo. to 86 years and from the fun skater to the elite. I had to give it up in 1998 due to an accident where my back was broken and my ankle had surgery to replace the joint. I would love to read your book.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Helen
hmmbailey(at)live(dot)ca
I love the Winter Olympics and figure skating is so graceful. It's amazing how beautiful the ice skaters look on the rink. Mrs. Roosevelt was very brave to ride the bobsled. Thank you for sharing the history on the Olympics and please enter me in the giveaway. Your book sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sharon, I loved the couple on the book. They looked very much the way I picture Frank and Winnie.
ReplyDeleteOh, my, I remember Nancy Kerrigan. Such elegance.
ReplyDeleteHelen, how fascinating to learn you taught figure skating! You will know if I made any mistakes (oh, terrors!)
ReplyDeleteYesw I do like the winter Olympics and would love to win Darlene's book. Than ks. MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI would really enjoy winning a copy of Golden Dreams, thank you for the chance.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Loved your post, Darlene!
ReplyDeleteI love to watch figure skating - so graceful! Was as surprised as you, to read that Eleanor Roosevelt rode the bobsled. And - it WOULD be interesting to view sled dog racing in our current Olympics. I rode in a sled while visiting Alaska, a few years ago, however - it was on dry land, as I visited in the summer. But - I loved it, SO enjoyed the dogs, learning about their training, visiting their kennels, & seeing their puppies!
I would love to read Golden Dreams! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com