From 1912-1948, the Olympics routinely included art competitions and medals handed out for sports-related achievements in architecture, sculpture, painting, music, and literature. (Wikipedia adds that a town planning category was added in 1928.) Not many Americans medaled in the architecture categories, but John Russell Pope did win silver for his Payne Whitney Gymnasium in New Haven at the 1932 Los Angeles games. Just imagine what could be in the running in Vancouver. [NYT]
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