Utah Olympian Reflects on Cortina After 70 Years

The memories of the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo are still vivid for Utah’s Marv Melville. He recalls the day when the Olympic torchbearer stumbled on stage, a moment that has lingered in his mind for 70 years. The event, which was marred by a mishap, involved Guido Caroli, an Italian speedskating champion who lost his footing due to a misplaced microphone cable.

As Melville approaches his 91st birthday, he reflects on his own experience during those Olympic Games, particularly his attempt at the downhill event on the Olympia delle Tofane course. This course will once again be in the spotlight for upcoming Olympic events. Melville was one of four American competitors in a race marked by challenging conditions, including a lack of snow that year.

Marv Melville’s Olympic Journey

Before reaching the Olympics, Melville’s journey began in the aftermath of World War II. At the age of 10, he received used skis from his father, which initially discouraged him due to their size and difficulty to maneuver. However, perseverance led him to discover a passion for downhill skiing. By the time he attended Granite High School, he was winning local junior races.

• First Olympic Aspirations: A ski trip to Alta with a teammate sparked Melville’s Olympic ambitions.
• Olympic Preparation: He qualified for the U.S. alpine team in 1955, finishing fourth among competitors.
• Travel to Cortina: Melville was fitted with an Olympic outfit and received two pairs of skis before heading to Italy.

Joining the U.S. team in New York, Melville experienced the thrill of being part of a prestigious event. The Olympics were a mix of excitement and setbacks, as he faced disappointment after crashing during the downhill race. Nevertheless, he found redemption by placing fourth in a subsequent race on the World Cup circuit, beating a young talent named Jean-Claude Killy.

Post-Olympic Accomplishments

Melville continued to achieve remarkable feats in skiing after the Olympics. He became a perennial All-American at the University of Utah, winning NCAA titles in the slalom and combined events in 1959. He also competed in the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley.

• NCAA Achievements: Titles in slalom and combined events in 1959.
• U.S. National Team: Competed in the 1958 FIS world championships.

In addition to his athletic success, Melville contributed to the sport as a coach for the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck and spent three seasons coaching at his alma mater, the University of Utah.

A Lasting Passion for Skiing

Skiing has remained an integral part of Melville’s life, even winning on the master’s racing circuit. Last winter, he skied at Alta shortly after turning 90, marking a remarkable nine decades of participation in the sport. Unfortunately, this winter has kept him from the slopes due to health challenges and unfavorable snow conditions.

As the Olympic Games return to Cortina on February 6, Melville will be watching from home. Despite not being there in person, he looks forward to seeing if the snow conditions hold up for the athletes on the Olympia delle Tofane course and reminiscing about the history he shared with the Games almost 70 years ago.