Photos of first Winter Olympics in 1924

As almost 3,000 competitors dressed head to toe in aerodynamic skin-tight lycra prepare to take part in the 23rd Winter Olympics in South Korea starting on Friday, these photos from the first event in 1924 point to a simpler time.

The black and white snaps from the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix in the French Alps show a scene that seems a world away from the multi-billion pound event about to begin in Pyeongchang.

In 1924 a total of 258 athletes from 16 nations took part in the inaugural Winter Games and the first medal was won by the American Charles Jewtraw in the 500m speed-skating.

In a sign of the times, Britain's curling team were decked out in baggy knickerbockers, ties and hats in the event where they won gold.

Fast forward 94 years and there will be 2,900 athletes from 92 countries competing in South Korea across 102 events that will be broadcast around the globe.

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