Ice hockey at the 1968 Winter Olympics
Final Olympic tournament to combine World and European titles.
The 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France, hosted the 11th men's Olympic ice hockey tournament, which also doubled as the 35th World Championships and the 46th European Championships. It marked the final time the Olympic tournament incorporated both the World and European titles. The Soviet Union claimed their third Olympic gold medal, eighth World Championship, and twelfth European Championship. Czechoslovakia earned the silver medal, while Canada took the bronze. All games were played at the Palais des Sports.
For the first and only time, not every qualified team competed for medals. The two lowest-ranked qualifiers, Japan and Austria, along with host France, were placed directly into the Consolation Group. Poland and Italy had qualified but chose not to participate.
Fourteen nations took part: Austria, Canada, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Finland, France, Japan, Norway, Romania, the Soviet Union, Sweden, the United States, West Germany, and Yugoslavia.
In the tournament’s penultimate match, the USSR lost to Czechoslovakia, giving the Czechs a tie-breaking edge since both teams had 5 wins and 1 loss (10 points) with one game left. The USSR was also tied with Canada and faced them in the final game. When teams finish with identical records, head-to-head results determine placement. To win the championship, Czechoslovakia needed to beat Sweden and have Canada lose or tie the USSR. If Canada had beaten the USSR and Czechoslovakia had beaten Sweden, Canada would have tied Czechoslovakia with 12 points but won on the tiebreaker. In the final matches, Sweden tied Czechoslovakia, while the USSR defeated Canada, securing the gold medal.
East Germany participated in these Olympics for the first and only time, playing its final game against rival West Germany, which won 4–2. Finland achieved a historic first by defeating Canada on the second day of competition. The USSR’s loss ended a record streak of 39 straight World Championship games without a defeat.
First-round results saw East Germany beat Norway 3–1, Finland defeat Yugoslavia 11–2, and West Germany shut out Romania 7–0. Finland, East Germany, and West Germany advanced to Group A for medals; Romania, Yugoslavia, and Norway went to Group B for 9th through 14th place.
In the final round, the medalists were determined by group play. The Soviet Union finished first, Czechoslovakia second, and Canada thi
- Event
- Men's ice hockey at the 1968 Winter Olympics
- Location
- Grenoble, France
- Venue
- Palais des Sports
- Dates
- 4–17 February 1968
- Nations
- 14
- Gold
- Soviet Union
- Silver
- Czechoslovakia
- Bronze
- Canada
Lore & Background
In the final round, the USSR team lost to Czechoslovakia, giving the latter a tie-breaking advantage as both had 10 points with one game remaining. The USSR was also tied with Canada. To win gold, Czechoslovakia needed to beat Sweden and for Canada to lose or tie the USSR. In the final matches, Sweden tied Czechoslovakia, while the USSR defeated Canada 5–0, securing the gold medal. Finland achieved a historic first by defeating Canada on the second day of competition.
Reader's Guide
The 1968 tournament marked the end of an era, as it was the last Olympic ice hockey competition to also award World and European championship titles. The Soviet Union's dominance continued with their third Olympic gold, while Czechoslovakia's silver and Canada's bronze highlighted the competitive field. The event introduced a unique format where the lowest-ranked qualifiers and host France were relegated to a consolation group, a system never repeated. East Germany's sole appearance and Finland's upset over Canada added to the tournament's historical significance. The final standings were decided by tie-breaking rules based on head-to-head results, with the USSR's victory over Canada in the last game clinching the gold.
Did You Know?
- East Germany participated for the first and only time in these games.
- Finland defeated Canada for the first time in Olympic history on the second day of competition.
- The Soviet Union's loss to Czechoslovakia broke a record streak of 39 straight World Championship games without a loss.
- Poland and Italy qualified but declined to participate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where and when was the men's ice hockey tournament held at the 1968 Winter Olympics?
The competition ran from February 4 to 17, 1968, in Grenoble, France, with every match played at the Palais des Sports arena.
Who won the gold medal in ice hockey at the 1968 Winter Olympics?
The Soviet Union claimed the top spot, adding a third Olympic hockey gold to their record while simultaneously securing the World and European Championship titles.
What made the 1968 Olympic ice hockey tournament historically unique?
It was the last time the Olympic event doubled as both the World Championship and the European Championship in one combined competition, a format never used again after Grenoble.
How many nations competed in the 1968 Olympic men's ice hockey?
Fourteen teams entered the tournament, though this edition marked the first and only occasion where not every qualified nation actually competed in the medal round.
Who finished on the podium at the 1968 Winter Olympics ice hockey?
The Soviet Union took gold, Czechoslovakia earned silver, and Canada picked up the bronze medal in the final standings.
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