History of Cowbells at the Olympics

Cowbells are a classic way to cheer on athletes in winter sports, especially in alpine and cross-country skiing. Over time, this fun tradition spread to other countries and events. Now, you can hear cowbells ringing at many sports and Olympic venues, even during the Summer Olympics. Cowbells bring a festive, energetic vibe, encouraging athletes and exciting the crowd. From their humble beginnings, cowbells have become a beloved part of Olympic history, showing the strong bond between sports, culture, and community.

While there have been other bells with Olympic logos, such as dinner bells and bell pins, the first Olympic-licensed cheering cowbells were for the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway.

In 1995, Cowbells.com brought MOEN Bells of Norway to the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games. Bessie says it took seven years to become an overnight success.

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