Since the time USSR participated in the Winter Olympic Games for the first time in the year 1956, both USA and USSR started using the Winter Olympics as a front for the Cold War. They realized the full potential of the Winter Olympics as a cold war front and exploited it to the fullest. They used the games as a platform to demonstrate the superiority of their respective political system.

Soviet athletes were honored beyond their wildest dreams for each and every victory they managed to achieve. The Soviet government also added financial awards for the athletes which ranged from $4000 to $8000, with a world record being worth an additional $1500. In order to respond to this, the United States government rearranged their Olympic Committee. This action was completely unprecedented considering the fact that the United States was a democratic country.

As a result of the Cold War, the tensions between the countries allied with either United States or USSR increased. The relationship between West Germany and East Germany caused numerous problems for the International Olympic Committee. German athletes weren’t allowed to participate in the 1948 Winter Olympics because of Germany’s role in the Second World War. In the year 1950, the IOC recognized the West German Olympic Committee. West German athletes were allowed to participate in the 1952 Winter Olympics. East German athletes were also given the go-ahead, but under the condition that they will participate along with the West German athletes as a single team.

East Germany declined the offer and was recognized to be a sovereign state by the Soviet Union. The situation became worse when the Berlin Wall was constructed in the year 1962. Countries refused to give visas to East German athletes to compete in the Winter Olympics. This continued till the year 1968, when the International Olympic Committee declared that any country that isn’t willing to give visas to the East German athletes will not get an opportunity to host the Winter and Summer Olympic Games.