<P> A predecessor , the Nordic Games , were organised by General Viktor Gustaf Balck in Stockholm , Sweden in 1901 and were held again in 1903 and 1905 and then every fourth year thereafter until 1926 . Balck was a charter member of the IOC and a close friend of Olympic Games founder Pierre de Coubertin . He attempted to have winter sports , specifically figure skating , added to the Olympic programme but was unsuccessful until the 1908 Summer Olympics in London , United Kingdom . Four figure skating events were contested , at which Ulrich Salchow ( 10 - time world champion ) and Madge Syers won the individual titles . </P>
<P> A predecessor , the Nordic Games , were organised by General Viktor Gustaf Balck in Stockholm , Sweden in 1901 and were held again in 1903 and 1905 and then every fourth year thereafter until 1926 . Balck was a charter member of the IOC and a close friend of Olympic Games founder Pierre de Coubertin . He attempted to have winter sports , specifically figure skating , added to the Olympic programme but was unsuccessful until the 1908 Summer Olympics in London , United Kingdom . Four figure skating events were contested , at which Ulrich Salchow ( 10 - time world champion ) and Madge Syers won the individual titles . </P>
who came up with the idea of winter olympics
who came up with the idea of winter olympics
General Viktor Gustaf Balck in Stockholm , Sweden
General Viktor Gustaf Balck in Stockholm , Sweden