The 1972 Winter Olympics, officially the XI Olympic Winter Games and commonly known as Sapporo 1972, were a winter multi-sport event held from February 3 to 13, 1972, in Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. It was the first Winter Olympic Games to take place outside Europe and North America. The 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan: February 3 – February 13, 1972. Top of the medal table: Soviet Union (8 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze); East Germany (4 gold, 3 silver, 7 bronze); Switzerland (4 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze). Wiki link