The 1960 Winter games were held in Squaw Valley. As the Games were held in California, it seemed fitting that the chairman of the Pageantry Committee in charge of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies was none other than Walt Disney.

A new sport, biathlon - a combination of cross-country skiing and shooting - was added to the Olympic programme, and the first title in this event was won by Klas Lestander of Sweden. Women competed in speed skating for the first time, and in the men's equivalent Yevgeny Grishin gained victories in the 500m and the 1,500m, just as he had done in 1956. The United States ice hockey team won an unexpected gold medal.