Olympic Games 1964 and 1976 in Innsbruck: diverse reflections on the historic Winter Games events, framed by numerous photographs.

February 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the organisation of the XII. Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck. Twelve years after 1964, the Tyrolean capital once again hosted this global winter sports event. Innsbruck cemented its reputation as a "sports city" with this second staging and advanced to become the unofficial "capital of winter sports". The articles in this volume focus less on the sporting events and more on the organisational, structural and social conditions of the Games and their aftermath.

The authors address various facets of the historical development of sport: from major international events as pioneers of the Winter Olympics to the FIS competitions in Innsbruck in the 1930s and a comparison of the 1964 and 1976 Games. Other contributions examine the Games in the context of the Cold War, Austrian nation-building and their international perception. The later, failed endeavours for a renewed bid are also addressed.

Questions of ecological sustainability and environmental impact are also focussed on, as are urban development changes in the course of the Games and cultural reflections: the representation of the Winter Games in literature and music, the role of volunteers and their memories. The visual and media staging of the games, their image production and reception are also analysed. Last but not least, one article addresses the issue of doping in Olympic winter sports.

Finally, the question of how the Games are remembered today - be it in collective memory or in dealing with memorabilia - is explored.