Olympic artifacts from the estate of Canadian speed skater Frank Stack and his involvement at the Oslo 1952 Winter Olympics, which include Stack’s copper participation medal, his official diploma, and participant badge. The items are as follows:
Participation medal issued for the Oslo 1952 Winter Olympics. Copper, 56 mm, 64 gm. The front features the Oslo Games logo encircled by raised text, “1952 Vinterleker Olympiske VI De Oslo”; the reverse, inscribed with the Olympic motto, “Citius, Altius, Fortius,” features one large and three small snowflakes. Includes its original presentation case, which bears some wear.
Participant's badge from the Oslo 1952 Winter Olympics, 32 mm x 38 mm, 12 gm, featuring an enameled design of the Winter Olympics logo against a light blue background. The front features text, "De VI Olympiske Vinterleker, Oslo 1952, Deltager." The reverse of the badge is stamped, “R. Gaudernack, Sandvika/Oslo, Norway.” Accompanied by a gold-tone souvenir pin from the Oslo Winter Games.
Official participation diploma from the Oslo 1952 Winter Olympics, 11.75 x 16.75, awarded to “Frank Stack, Skoyter, Canada.” The lower portion features printed signatures of Olympic Committee President Olaf Ditlev-Simonsen and Secretary-General Rolf Petersen. In overall very good to fine condition, with spotting, edge tears, and paper loss to the diploma.
Frank Stack (1906–1987) was one of Canada’s most accomplished speed skaters, having competed in the 1932, 1948, and 1952 Olympics; he won the bronze medal at Lake Placid in the 10,000-meter event. He began skating at 13, became Western Canadian Junior Champion (1919–23) and Senior Champion (1924–29), and won North American Indoor titles in 1931, 1932, and 1938. After semi-retiring in 1954, he returned in 1966 at age 60 and earned five podiums at the Canadian Indoor Championships. Stack also coached, preparing Canada’s teams for the 1952 and 1960 Olympics. He was inducted into the Canadian Speed Skating Hall of Fame (1965), Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (1974), and the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame (1981). Stack Street in Winnipeg is named in his honor.
