Lake Placid to Celebrate 45th Anniversary of 1980 Winter Olympics

The Lake Placid region will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the 1980 Olympic Winter Games with a series of fan activations throughout February and March.

The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority will spotlight athletes who participated, the Games’ organizers, the venues and the residents, businesses and volunteers who made the 1980 Winter Games possible. The Olympic Center will be illuminated in gold to honor Eric Heiden’s five gold medals and red, white, and blue in celebration of the “Miracle on Ice” amongst other achievements by Team USA.

The celebration comes as Lake Placid could be the host for bobsled, luge and skeleton in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games should the sliding venue in Cortina d’Ampezzo not be completed by March.

From February 13–24, Community Skating on the Oval will allow locals and visitors to skate on the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval, with special 45th-anniversary events and free tickets for registered local students and their families. Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton, U.S. flagbearer of the 1980 Games, will be in Lake Placid on February 22 from 4–6 p.m. at the Olympic Oval participating in a special commemorative skate honoring those impacted by cancer.

Lake Placid will participate in USA Hockey’s Hockey Week Across America (February 17–23) with themed events including Hockey Jersey Day with a 1980 twist, with fans encouraged to wear vintage 1980 jerseys or any Team USA hockey jersey. Behind the Scenes at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum will take place each Tuesday at 11 a.m. The public can learn more about the museum’s archives and collections by exploring objects not currently on display. The experience also includes a chat with a museum educator and examination of artifacts from the 1980 Games.

Touch-a-Torch will give visitors the unique opportunity to hold the 1980 torch and learn about the torch relay. For more information about tickets and the full schedule of events, fans can go to the Lake Placid Olympic Center and the Lake Placid Olympic Museum websites.